In Paris, book lovers are well catered for. Between the superb bookshops, the bouquinistes lining the banks of the Seine and the literary treasures scattered throughout the city, there’s no shortage of opportunities to stroll between the pages. And among these pleasures, libraries occupy a special place. The City of Light boasts some of the finest libraries in the world. Here are just a few of them to discover at least once in your life.
Sainte-Geneviève library
Specializing in the humanities and literature, the Sainte-Geneviève library holds over 2 million documents that can be consulted. Listed as a historic monument, the library is open to everyone aged 18 and over (or BAC holders), and is housed in a building over 500 years old! Guided tours are also available free of charge, upon reservation.
📍Location: 10 Place du Panthéon 75005 Paris
🕒Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm – Currently closed for the summer, reopening August 18
🎟️Prix admission: free
Mazarine Library
France’s oldest public library! Opened in 1643, it held the title of the library with the richest collection in Europe. Today, more than 600,000 documents are accessible, as well as almost 220 works of art and hundreds of restored papers and essays. Consultation of the collections is only possible on site, and the most precious works are subject to certain conditions. It’ s a superb place, often taken over by photo enthusiasts.
📍Location: 23 Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris
🕒Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – closed August 1 to 15 for the summer.
🎟️Prix admission: free
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Mitterrand site
The Bibliothèque Nationale de France originally housed royal collections from the 16thᵉ century, before expanding into the imposing monument to French culture we know today. It comprises two parts: a library for the general public, open from Tuesday to Sunday, and a research library. Nestled in the 13ᵉ, it is one of the neighborhood’s strong symbols.
📍Location: Quai François Mauriac, 75013 Paris
🕒Hours: Monday: 2 pm – 8 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm Sunday: 1 pm – 7 pm
🎟️Prix admission: free
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Richelieu site
After 12 years of renovation, the Salle Richelieu has finally reopened, much to the delight of Parisians, researchers and students alike. Beyond its sublime oval room, which required extensive work, you’ll find an exceptional museum housing almost 900 emblematic works from Antiquity to the present day. Manuscripts, books, archaeological objects… a rich collection to admire all year round.
📍Location: 5 rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris
🕒Oval room opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, nocturne Tuesdays, 8 pm
🎟️Prix salle ovale admission: free
🎟️Prix museum admission: free
The library of the Institut National de l’Histoire de l’Art
A veritable goldmine of majestic architecture, the INHA library has been collecting no less than 1.7 million documents from the University of Paris’ Bibliothèque d’art et d’archéologie (the library’s specialty) since the early 1900s. The library is attached to the Richelieu site of the BnF. Its Salle Labrouste, a privileged reading room, is particularly noteworthy. Although access is free, the library is exclusively open to researchers and students of art history, but you can discover it every year during the Journées du Patrimoine!
📍Location: 58 rue de Richelieu, 75002 Paris
🕒Hours: Monday: 14:00-18:30, Tuesday-Friday: 9:00-18:30, Saturday: 9:00-18:30
🎟️Prix admission: free
Sorbonne Library
With its thematic rooms devoted to Antiquity and the Middle Ages, Modern and Contemporary History, Philosophy and Literature, the library is a hidden gem that makes you want to get back to studying. The only problem is that it is only open to professors, researchers and students… You can, however, take a look at it during the Journées du Patrimoine in Paris! Of course, you’ll need to book well in advance, and be quick about it, as places sell out fast!
📍Location: 17 rue de la Sorbonne, 75005 Paris
🕒Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 8pm, Thursday 12pm to 8pm, Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 7pm
🎟️Prix admission: free