Historic Sites • Libraries
3rd Arr. - Temple
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Libraries • Government Buildings
Tour Eiffel / Invalides
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Libraries
Vivienne
Architectural Buildings • Libraries
Quartier de la Gare
Speciality & Gift Shops • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Sorbonne
Convention Centres
8th Arr. - Élysée
•
Open now
Libraries
Javel
Libraries
Belleville / Père Lachaise
Art Galleries • Convention Centres
Porte-Saint-Denis
Libraries
Porte-Saint-Denis
Libraries • Game & Entertainment Centres
Quartier Latin
Visitor Centres
18th Arr. - Buttes-Montmartre
Libraries
4th Arr. - Hôtel-de-Ville
Libraries
Tour Eiffel / Invalides
Libraries
5th Arr. - Panthéon
Libraries
19th Arr. - Buttes-Chaumont
Libraries
Charonne
Libraries
Bercy / Nation
Libraries
Amérique
Libraries
4th Arr. - Hôtel-de-Ville
Convention Centres
17th Arr. - Batignolles-Monceau
Libraries
La Villette
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
What travellers are saying
- Chgo_biz_trvlerChicago, IL23 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 1 September 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 7 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Shane B1 contributionSimply the most beautiful library you’ll see. Stay a little, stay long, but worth the visit. Wonderfully restored and a great place to stop and read.Written 23 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA15,870 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 30 June 2022This 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 27 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sarah3 contributionsA must see! It was such a lovely experience to get lost in this quaint bookstore. My husband and I visited on our honeymoon and bought many books and cards to send out to our guests as thanks yous for our wedding.
We felt our inner child come alive as we browsed the different titles and charm of this historic place.
Make sure to get your book stamped and pick up a tote bag while you’re at it!Written 14 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Judy GSpringfield, VA570 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 4 November 2021This 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 24 February 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 19 September 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JnVSydneyGreater Sydney, Australia18,252 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 24 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JSSAmberCambridge, UK597 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 26 May 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 28 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kirk ESanta Fe, NM1,053 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 1 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BrakiWorldTravelerBelgrade, Serbia17,509 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 27 January 2020This 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 traveller 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 traveller resources in Paris:See more traveller resources for couples in Paris on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly traveller resources in Paris:
- Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
- Assemblee Nationale
- Philharmonie de Paris
- National Archives
- French National Library (Bibliotheque Nationale de France)