Speciality & Gift Shops • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Sorbonne
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THE 10 BEST Paris Traveler Resources
Traveler Resources in Paris
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Traveler Resources
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Neighborhoods
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65 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Historic Sites • Libraries
3rd Arr. - Temple
Libraries • Government Buildings
Tour Eiffel / Invalides
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Libraries
Vivienne
Architectural Buildings • Libraries
Quartier de la Gare
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Convention Centers
Pont-de-Flandre
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Visitor Centers
4th Arr. - Hôtel-de-Ville
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Libraries • Game & Entertainment Centers
Quartier Latin
Convention Centers
8th Arr. - Élysée
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Libraries
Tour Eiffel / Invalides
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Concerts • Convention Centers
17th Arr. - Batignolles-Monceau
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Libraries
Javel
Libraries
Belleville / Père Lachaise
Art Galleries • Convention Centers
Porte-Saint-Denis
Libraries
Porte-Saint-Denis
Visitor Centers
18th Arr. - Buttes-Montmartre
Libraries
4th Arr. - Hôtel-de-Ville
Libraries
Tour Eiffel / Invalides
Libraries
19th Arr. - Buttes-Chaumont
Libraries
5th Arr. - Panthéon
Libraries
Charonne
Libraries
Bercy / Nation
Libraries
Saint-Merri
Libraries
Amérique
Libraries
La Villette
What travelers are saying
- StephToronto, Canada166 contributionsIt's an institution and I'd definitely recommend it. It had a small line going out the door, but it moved quickly. All the staff were lovely and spoke both French and English. The shop is filled to the brim with a great selection of all genres, while also being extremely homey. Shoutout to the lovely girl at cash who was very friendly and nice despite have a lot of people to deal with.Written December 6, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Chgo_biz_trvlerChicago, IL24 contributionsIncredibly interesting and well displayed museum of documents highlighting French history. And did I mention free? Currently there's an exhibit on the day to day life of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette at Tuileries palace, where they went when forced out of Versailles. It is amazing because of the detail. Who knew that the Gard of Louis XVI had color-coded security badges indicating level of access to the King? Just like the US Secret Service. The permanent exhibits are great too, and the building alone is worth it. AND IN ENGLISHWritten September 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ugo CReykjavik, Iceland757 contributionsSadly, this was under renovation when we visited, but the building is beautiful nonetheless. This is one of Paris' hallmarks that must be seen in personWritten July 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Traveler OWashington DC, DC1,007 contributionsFantastic structure to visit and view from the interior. From the exterior, it's hard to tell what's inside. Impressive layout and sights. The ideal library that looks like one out of a movie of old. You can view the two large reading/research areas for free, but be respectful with photos and follow the rules. In some places, photos are prohibited, so be a good visitor and don't be rude to the staff just doing their jobs. The museum itself is on the upper level with tours of various salons (guided tour available for an additional fee-usually in French). Bring your phone and you can scan the QR codes for a self guided tour which is well worth it. Some fascinating artifacts and items to view - some from more than 2600+ years ago (e.g. 600+ B.C.). Worth the visit. There's a bookstore and bathrooms on site as well. To access the research area(s), you usually need to make a reservation and pay the fee ahead of time, otherwise some areas can be accessed for a fee if there's space available. An excellent site to visit.Written December 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA16,412 contributionsControversial when built, and not always a great success, but still a remarkable commitment to books and learning to build a huge library in modern times. There is a neighborhood that is growing up around it, so getting better. Try to not come here on a rainy day as the platform where you enter can be very slippery. Also come to the good expos that are held here.Written June 30, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Judy GSpringfield, VA571 contributionsThis building is hard to describe. My husband and I are photographers and especially love photographing unusual architecture. This building is really both hard to describe and to photograph. The outside looks like a malignant giant serpent or evil earth Vader. It has a theme of birds or seagulls all over it but it seems a bad imitation of an Escher painting. Actually, it’s kind of ugly on the outside even though it has a nice deck outside for good views. We are also musicians so we booked tickets to the Philharmonie concert of the Brahms Requiem. The inside of the hall is really stunning in design and acoustically balanced. We enjoyed the concert and. Ensue greatly except for the seats. At first they seemed comfortable until we realized there was no leg space at all. It was very uncomfortable even for a 5’4” woman and for my 6’ husband, even worse. I couldn’t change position of my feet for the whole concert and started to get leg and foot cramps. At intermission it was quite difficult for people to get out of the row to use the facilities. Even with everyone in the row standing up, it was hard for people to get by. A 2”17 review of the facility had the same complaint and obviously nothing has been done to correct this. Also, there were only 4 women’s bathroom stalls for a facility that holds 2400 people. And, it’s a long way on the metro which was mobbed when the concert was over. The concert didn’t start until 8:30 and we didn’t get home until midnight. Thank goodness for the excellent performers in the hall. Just wish we had been more comfortable while enjoying it.Written November 4, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Bob S9 contributionsI ordered my Paris Visite metro pass through Office du Tourisme and decided to pick up the pass at Gare du Nord in Paris upon my arrival from Amsterdam. Getting the pass took all of 5 minutes as it was already prepared and there was just a small line. Was able to start using the pass on the Paris Metro immediately to take the subway from Grad du Nord to Paris Center. Card is so easy to use too.Written May 27, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ArtheKailua88 contributionsFriendly and helpful staff
Clean cafe
Lots of manga books in a Japan inspired reading room
Some older arcade games and some home video games . It's fun to play on oldies but goodies. A place to play your favorite game when you don't have access to the play system anymore.
A dancing pad for two people that looked really fun. Sadly, the small group using it when we arrived, kept it for themselves the whole hour we were there. A little sharing would have been nice.
My favorite: a pinball. It's unfortunate it was awaiting the repair man when we visited. It will likely be repaired when you do visit. We will have to go back. Hey, when is the last time you got to play pinball? It's becoming more and more difficult to find.
Affordable. At last, a place where you can take your family or invite your friends without spending all your entertainment money at once.Written June 13, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Joseph RSeattle, WA3 contributionsWe got married at Les Salons Hoche in October 2019.
The venue was absolutely beautiful. We had the Haussman apartments for the bridal parties to get ready hours before the ceremony which were large and well decorated. First look in a beautiful courtyard. They provided us with a 1950's Rolls Royce and a driver to take us around Paris for photos. The wedding on the rooftop, enclosed in glass. Cocktail hour was in another room with extra space in the courtyard. The reception took place in a beautiful, marble-floored room called Etoile.
They host a lot of events there, so when you visit before the wedding there is lots of work going on. On the day of, the location is completely transformed with tasteful details.
The food was amazing. We upgraded (to "Prestige") and it exceeded expectations. Our guests, who come from New York City and attend lots of weddings, loved the quality/flavor during cocktail and dinner. We had the salad with lobster and mango (excellent), Beef Tenderloin (excellent), and Assortment of Cheeses (you're in France, of course, this is good :) ) , and the Cake (American style with strawberry inside - a huge hit with our guests).
Thank you for all the hard work and great communication Guiliana. You were amazing to work with. Across many time zones (9 hours) you were always available.
The true test of the success of a wedding comes after it's all over. When I asked my wife "what would you change about the wedding day", her response was "not a single thing",Written February 24, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Edward GCairo, NY54 contributionsGreat library, only open in afternoon after 2:00 pm for public. Used in Harry Potter movies. We where there because of a book. Greatest libraries of the world. my wife is a librarianWritten September 19, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JnVSydneyGreater Sydney, Australia18,342 contributionsOnce the Hotel de Sens. The building dates from the end of the 15th century was was intended to be the home of wealthy archbishops - starting with Salazar the archbishop of Sens. It took so long to build he never actually lived there and many noblemen used the property over the centuries.
At one stage it was held by the Royal family until it was confiscated during the French Revolution (there’s even a canonball still lodged in the facade - we love these little details).
After that it was neglected and was even used by the Saint James Marmelade Factory of all things. Eventually it was purchased by the City of Paris in 1911 and the last of it’s ad hoc tenants left in 1928. It has had some very famous guests over the centuries including, most famously, Nostradamus. He was invited to Paris by Queen Catherine of the Medicis in 1555 and lodged at the Townhouse of Sens as it was known. The living was fine at the townhouse, so fine he was struck down with an attack of gout and confined to bed, surrounded by people keen to hear his predictions.
The Forney library moved here in 1929 when it outgrew it’s old premises. In its current incarnation of library focussing on decorative arts, it was hosting a fascinating exhibition about feeding Paris - including great photos of our neck of the woods, Les Halles. There was also a lot of memorabilia from restaurants and bistros and great vintage advertising items.Written February 24, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JSSAmberCambridge, UK603 contributionsThis place has a history stretching back to the Lost Generation, but their newly updated space gives you the best of a modern library. It costs about 10 Euros for a day pass or 100 for a year membership, and the catalog is outstanding: my father went in and said that they had every single one of his favorite sf/f writers. There's also an incredible archive of fashion magazines, so if you're in Paris doing research on fashion history, this is your place. They also do extensive programming for young people and have two librarians (with library degrees) for young people on staff. Great place!Written May 26, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Andrew LBelfast, UK46 contributionsHad read about the centre online and yesterday my daughter (8) and I decided to give it a visit. Situated near the Sorbonne and the Pantheon, it’s in a quiet street and well off any tourist trail. Being a Sunday afternoon we were the only visitors and the tea room and reading rooms were shut (will know that for next time as I could have done with some coffee). Enjoyed the virtual reality art and speaking with the staff. What a lovely place to visit.Written January 28, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BrakiWorldTravelerBelgrade, Serbia17,664 contributionsThe Brongniart palace was a19th century Paris' stock exchange - the Bourse. Same name metro station is few met away.
Today this huge classic edifice is a conference venue with spaces for events. Didn't manage to enter it.Written January 27, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - bcheongShanghai, China26,535 contributionsThe key conference centre in paris. As a meeting centre, ok quality and facilities. There’s a small shopping mall, plus restaurants and cafes for the conference crowd. Also many restaurants and cafes outside. The hyatt regency and le meridien hotels are next doorWritten May 22, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paris
- These places are best for traveler resources in Paris:
- Philharmonie de Paris
- French National Library (Bibliotheque Nationale de France)
- National Archives
- Assemblee Nationale
- Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve
- These are the best places for couples seeking traveler resources in Paris:See more traveler resources for couples in Paris on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for groups seeking traveler resources in Paris:See more traveler resources for groups in Paris on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly traveler resources in Paris:
- Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
- Assemblee Nationale
- National Archives
- Philharmonie de Paris
- French National Library (Bibliotheque Nationale de France)