One day, when scrolling through Instagram, I came across a photo of the beautiful Bibliothèque Richelieu reading room. Before that moment (like many University students), I had come to associate libraries with dreary, concrete, buildings filled with florescent lights, late nights, and suffering students. This library, however, changed everything. The following day, I took a trip to Bibliothèque Richelieu and suddenly viewed libraries in a brand new light.
Many (though certainly not all) libraries in Paris are more than just collections of books– they are historic and architecturally acclaimed centers of culture, expositions and art. While most are exclusive and not open to the public, there are several that let tourists in to admire the beauty and history that lies within.
A simple Google search can show you all the libraries (or bibliothèques in French) in Paris, but if you are like me and just want to see the most aesthetically pleasing ones, I have rounded up my favorites– and they all are free!
Bibliothèque Richelieu
58 rue de Richelieu
open Monday – Saturday 10am -6pm
This library will always be my favorite. It is absolutely beautiful with 2 stories of books, domed ceilings, and bright frescos. From the street, you enter through a courtyard and the library is on your right. There is a small roped off area where visitors are allowed to stand to view the room and take pictures. While it is definitely not somewhere to spend an afternoon, it is certainly worth a quick-pit stop.
Bibliothèque Sainte-Genevieve
10 Place du Pantheon
Open to the public for visits Monday – Saturday, 2 – 4pm
Located right across the street from the Pantheon and surrounded by University students, this library definitely feels livelier than the others. When you enter the building, go to the visitors desk on the left. A staff member will then accompany you to the entrance of the reading room while telling you a brief history of the building and the collection. While more crowded than the other two libraries, the reading room is still spectacular. It is both a university and a public library, so it is possible for anyone to get a membership card (just bring an official Passport/ID and register at the designated desk).
Bibliothèque Mazarine
23 Quai de Conti
Open Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm
This library originally opened to scholars in 1643, making it France’s oldest public library. Today, this unassuming library is a hidden gem in the heart of Paris. From the street, signs direct visitors to a check in desk and then through a courtyard. You enter the building on your left and follow signs up the stairs to the library. The reading room is much smaller than the other two and feels more intimate. You can actually peruse the shelves of books and are welcome to sit and study amongst the other scholarly patrons.
Other libraries on my list include Bibliothèque de la Sorbonne and Bibliothèque Forney, though I have yet to visit either.
I hope your find these libraries as fascinating as I do!
auparis 