Libraries Ile-De-France

At the foot of the famous four open book towers, the BnF's reading rooms provide access to countless books. Just about everything that appears or has appeared in France can be found here. Impressive, isn't it? The rooms of the Library for the general public (Haut-de-jardin) are open to everyone, provided they are at least 16 years old. It is the place where you will find encyclopaedic collections with free access (books, periodicals, audiovisual). The rooms of the research library (Garden Floor) are open to academics and to anyone, professional or not, who explains why it is necessary for them to immerse themselves in the specific collections of the library. All year round, major exhibitions, meetings, screenings, concerts, guided tours and workshops are organized in this temple dedicated to books.

Housed in the Hôtel de Lamoignon, which alone is worth a visit, the Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris (BHVP) houses a collection of over a million documents on the history of the capital and the Ile-de-France region, including manuscripts, old maps, drawings, postcards and photographs from the ^16th century to the present day. The archives of Parisian families, autographs, scholarly papers, topographical documents, archaeological surveys, correspondence of famous men and manuscripts preserved in the library are remarkable. Among the most precious documents are some of Voltaire's correspondence, manuscripts by Michelet, Flaubert's notebooks and the manuscript of his Education sentimentale. The BHVP is designed for researchers, but also for anyone with a passion for the destiny of the most beautiful city in the world! Consultation is on site only, after free registration and presentation of proof of identity and a photo. The Renaissance-style building, which is well worth a visit in any case, also hosts exhibitions on Paris. All in all, it's a place where you can get caught up in the discoveries and readings, and one that every Paris lover, and indeed every curious person, should discover at least once. And don't forget that the library is open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday: plenty of time for a moment out of time!

After the First World War, the Book Committee on Children's Libraries settled in the context of the reconstruction of libraries for youth. The first "Joyful Hour" opened in Brussels in 1920. Founded in 1935 at the initiative of Antoinette Kont, that of Versailles (became a municipal library in 1977), the creation of its conservation fund towards 1980 (by Gilberta Mantoux) was created for editorial production from the 20 s and 30 s. With 1 620 volumes covering the literatures of Romance languages, that of youth from the years 20 to 60, and a specific collection entered here after 1940, Happy Hour intends to combine the provision of books for youth (on-site consultation, loans for external exhibitions) and public reading, workshops also animate the life of the library.

Organized in the prestigious framework of the Hotel des affaires Etrangères built in 1762, under Louis XV, this memory of books inherited the collections of the libraries (Saisies à la Révolution) of Louis XVI, his queen Marie-Antoinette and Madame Barry, and has since enriched, since then, purchases and donations: with an encyclopaedic fund whose axes of excellence are the history of Versailles, the chronologies of the th, th and th centuries and the music, the municipal library of Versailles is therefore, thanks to this heritage which makes it one of the most important of France. They are almost 700 000 documents (including 100 000 volumes of old books, and over 40 000 free access titles, reference books, documentaries, novels, comic strips, practical manuals), and a large number of periodicals that are offered in this place of study and research, also open to a wide audience. And for those that the large embarrassed quiet spaces, it should be understood that the network actually consists of 200 000 documents in free access, as the 9 neighborhood libraries (2 reserved for young people: those of Happy Hour and Saint-Louis; 4 for adults and youth: Celles, Porchefontaine, Prés-aux-Bois and Vauban; 3 for adults: those of Notre-Dame, Clagny and Inter-Ages University are mentioned. Finally, to those who prefer the audition at the reading, the library of Versailles has a discotheque with 20 000 recordings available.

Children's loan library, school help, school bridge, and many other points of help for parents who can find out about their children or their own needs. The school bridge is particularly well done. Aid is very well studied and serious follow-up. Each parent may ask questions about the problems he encounters by making an appointment. As for the books lent here to children, it is all subjects that can awaken curiosity or satisfy it…

Part of the Direction des Affaires culturelles de la Ville de Paris, the Archives de Paris has been collecting, preserving, inventorying, communicating and promoting documents of historical interest gathered by the departments of the Mairie and Département de Paris for over two hundred years. They also preserve private archives acquired by gift, donation, bequest or purchase. Since 1990, the Direction des services d'Archives de Paris has been housed in a building at Porte des Lilas. Opening hours vary according to the day you choose.

Built in the late th century, the Paul-Marmottan library is part of the Historical Monuments inventory. Paul Marmottant is the instigator, passionate for the First Empire and the Napoleonic history that makes the library unique. It was bequeathed to the Academy of fine arts at the beginning of the th century and is with the Marmottant-Monet museum, the Marmottan Foundation. Researchers, students and amateurs are welcome and in the neo-classical neo-classical garden of Italian inspiration. There are temporary exhibitions, conferences and screenings throughout the year. The presence of an auditorium covered with wood and excellent acoustics where concerts and concerts are taking place, as well as a permanent collection to visit only by appointment.

The library has 200 reading places; 151 000 documents in all areas in open access; consultation and borrowing of videos, CD-Roms, CD, audio cassettes, Dvds, ebooks and digital books; a music space with listening equipment and a partition loan service; a fund dedicated to the 1930 s with 5 500 original books on literature, arts and history… A youth area with 48 000 available free access documents. For children is organized an hour of the tale: Saturday at 11 pm, once a month. From 4 years old. Free entrance. Also a toddler morning: Saturday at 11 pm, once a month. Nursery rhymes, songs, doigts. From 1 year old. Free entrance. And many initiatives all year round…

For adults and children, the library covers 450 m ², with 36 000 multimedia documents: books, magazines, compact discs, audio and video cassettes, DVD borrowing, occasional animations, tale time: Saturday at 11 p. m. (except school holidays), music section. The Point-of-Day library also organizes livres of books. Open home, good selection of classics, well-organised research, calm and quiet, ideal for relaxing, reading and borrowing at leisure.

The library occupies the entire third floor of the Maison de la Culture du Japon. Two reading rooms are available for consultation. The library's mission is to meet the needs of a wide range of readers, from the general public to researchers. Members can borrow 5 books for a period of 3 weeks. Part of the collection can be borrowed: around 9,000 books.

Inaugurated in 2023, this futuristic 2,200 m² space-ship offers countless possibilities. From books and magazines to DVDs and even toys and board games, you'll find everything you need to satisfy your cultural needs. Surrounded by an immense landscaped park, the splendid venue also boasts an auditorium offering a rich program of encounters with a wide range of cultural players.

Set in a former 19 th century prison, this municipal library is now registered at the Historical Monuments Supplementary Inventory.

In the heart of the Vexin region, the Frépillon Library welcomes its users into a world of discovery. It's the ideal place for schoolchildren to nurture their imaginations and take part in creative workshops and events of all kinds throughout the year. Adults are also catered for, with collections of novels, magazines and guides, alongside living, working and relaxation areas: the structure contributes to access to reading and the dissemination of knowledge for all.

The Médiathèque Georges-Pompidou welcomes residents of Saint-Leu-La-Forêt and the surrounding area to a peaceful, bucolic setting. In a bright 800 m² building, over 55,000 documents in all media (novels, comics and manga, music and films, etc.) are available for on-site consultation and loan. And between two readings, relaxation and work areas with computers, as well as a program of activities, invite you to extend your visit.

Originally built up by the Archives françaises du film, the Cinémathèque française and the FEMIS, the collections held by the Cinémathèque Française Film Library have since been enriched by numerous donations, acquisitions and deposits. If you're a film buff, you'll find plenty to deepen your knowledge here, including periodical series, posters, drawings (storyboards, sets, etc.), set photographs and archive holdings.

The Astrolabe Media Library is a large-scale site covering more than 5,000 m² and welcomes its visitors from the Ile Saint-Etienne on the banks of the Seine. Divided into several departments, it offers a complete range of services to the curious people who come through its doors, both in terms of collections and activities. In its alleys you can find a Cyberlab dedicated to digital cultures, a kiosk, youth and adult spaces, a studio that gives pride of place to the arts, a self-training corner as well as a sector reserved for Heritage. A place not to be missed which reserves beautiful surprises.

As part of the Val Parisis public reading network, the 1,600 m² André-Malraux multimedia library opens its doors to visitors of all ages, eager to immerse themselves in a rich collection of over 100,000 documents (books, comics, CDs and DVDs, board games, video games, sheet music, language methods, press). In addition, a wide range of activities are on offer, including creative and digital workshops, readings and other intergenerational events.

A branch library of Médiathèque André-Malraux, it offers books for young people and teenagers, as well as parenting support collections and a Practical Life section for adults. The shelves contain over 10,000 documents (books, comics, CDs, DVDs, board games, magazines) and connected computers (audiodescription films and magnetic induction loops). Activities for young people are organized throughout the year.

The 1,250 m² Saint-Exupéry multimedia library offers 55,000 adult and children's documents, including novels, documentaries covering all subject areas, DVDs, video games, CDs, audio books and newspapers. The conditions for enrichment are optimal, with spaces designed for comfort and relaxation, a workroom, computer workstations and tablets with Wi-Fi for research. A program of events is offered throughout the year.

A popular local library, the Georges Brassens Library offers a pleasant setting for browsing a newspaper, reading a book, surfing the Internet and taking part in the cultural life of the area. On the second floor, large bay windows let in plenty of natural light and reveal a wealth of books. The shelves include foreign-language books, large-print books and comic strips.