THE 10 BEST Paris Libraries
Libraries in Paris
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Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Architectural Buildings • Libraries
Quartier de la Gare
Libraries • Game & Entertainment Centers
Quartier Latin
Libraries
Javel
Libraries
Le Marais
Libraries
Belleville / Père Lachaise
Libraries
Château d'Eau / Gare du Nord
Libraries
Val-de-Grâce
Libraries
Saint-Merri
Libraries
Bercy / Nation
Libraries
Place d'Italie / Quartier Asiatique
Libraries
Opéra / Bourse
Libraries
La Villette
Libraries
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Libraries
Place d'Italie / Quartier Asiatique
Libraries
Charonne
Libraries
Odéon / Saint-Michel
Libraries
Père-Lachaise
Libraries
Saint-Lambert
Libraries
Goutte-d'Or
Showing results 1-30 of 50
What travelers are saying
- Pernille ICopenhagen, Denmark7,137 contributionsThe National Library's Richelieu branch sits in the rue Vivienne and anyone can enter the premises after the usual security check.
Inside you will have to visit and see two absolutely stunning rooms.
The Salle Ovale - the Oval Room is a 43 meters long, 32 meters wide and 18 meters high oval room containing 120 studying places (desks) as well as some lounge chairs for reading. You can however enter and simply take the walk around with the interactive educational stations for further information - or pick a book or a cartoon and hope to find a seat. Obviously you will remain quiet as this is a place for study.
The other room - the Salle Labrouste - is only open for people with a student card and registration on site. However as a tourist you can enter the doors and stay at the opening behind a roped-off part - this allows you to see the amazing interiors.
The room looks like a Byzantine domed church in the ceiling; the trompe-l'oeil paintings in the arches is made specifically to give the feeling of real windows where you would only see the upper parts of the trees. In reality the domes of the ceiling are inspired by the fashion of the time - when constructed in the 1850s crinolines or petticoats were all the fashion.
In any case taking a break at the Salle Ovale and glimpsing in the Salle Labrouste will prove a wonderful break in your day.Written December 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Thomas VOakland, CA19,494 contributionsA very important institution, a modern huge building on the banks of the Seine. It has spawned a new town built over the railroad tracks, lots of interesting architecture here. Important to note the commitment of the country to build a big library in modern times. I am not crazy about the design, which imitates an open book. And there are wild stories about the buildings dysfunction. But do come here for terrific temporary expos.Written February 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Daniel ABeijing, China37,418 contributionsThis is a library and we didn’t know what it was at first. The architecture sure caught our attention and started to take photos. We wanted to find out what it was exactly and then we find out it was a library! We looked around and were amazed. Truth be told, the only reason we came in was because it was hot and the Pantheon was closed. If we had more time, we would have stayed longer.Written July 28, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- David PPortland, OR37 contributionsThe library's collection includes books belonging to the international film star Marlene Dietrich. She was a recluse during her final years in Paris, and one can imagine her spending many hours reading her favorite stories. Several of her books are about the great Dietrich. And in one of them - written in her own hand - she says "Lies!" In fact, several of the books have her opinions written in the margins. The Dietrich collection is in the Director's office,available with permission.Written July 25, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ArtheKailua86 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. - Kirk ESanta Fe, NM970 contributionsThe gilded-domed Mazarine Library (often mistaken at a distance for the nearby Invalides) merits a visit if only for its spectacular architecture, both in the monumental plaza and inside the library itself. Busts of philosophers -- including honorary Frenchman Benjamin Franklin -- line the long walls of the reading room, which remains a working library, with the occasional display of historical publications available for viewing by quiet visitors. A great place for quiet contemplation on a rainy day, directly over the Pont des arts from the Louvre.Written February 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JnVSydneyGreater Sydney, Australia26,867 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. - LLM1 contributionUnfortunately, I don’t recommend staying at the Centre Culturel Irlandais unless you enjoy sharing your kitchen and bedroom with rodents. The CCI is situated in a beautiful part of Paris and it is a shame that management have not resolved the mice infestation.Written October 31, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- extravelagentHonolulu, HI410 contributionsHad to wait about 30 minutes. Definitely worth the 30 minute wait while gazing at the "passage" across the street. Once you go thru the exterior security, you then wait again to get inside as people leave. Just know it's a free, quiet study room for local students and such so you MIGHT wait a bit to be let in. It's mostly tourists going in and out and the locals stay for studying. Gorgeous interior, you can stay as long as you like; even find some seating. Great pics. Once you leave the room you can visit the free restrooms downstairs. There is even a bookstore you can by stuff and even other "halls" you can visit but unsure if they are a fee or not. We only saw the Salle Oval.
Thumbs up!Written January 15, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
