Photo : Ville de Paris
Paris under the microscope Festival: Tour of the Hôtel de Ville Library
Stepping inside this historic library feels like discovering one of the city's best-kept secrets behind the walls of its main municipal building. Marvel at the clever architectural illusions and metallic structures that make this 19th-century reading room a true masterpiece of design. It is the ultimate spot for book lovers and urban explorers eager to see a side of the capital usually reserved for official records.
Bibliothèque de l'Hôtel de Ville (Paris 4th)
About
The Paris City Hall Library was established in 1872 to replace the library destroyed in the fire of May 1871. Its initial collections were installed starting in 1887 in the new municipal palace, where it opened its doors on June 15, 1890. Today, they closely follow current events and are regularly supplemented by the acquisition of rare antique works.
The reading room, designed by architect Édouard Deperthes, offers one of the best examples of library architecture from the late 19th century. Its metal structure is masked by light oak and trompe-l’œil decor that gives the illusion of traditional wooden architecture. Covering an area of 600 m², it receives natural light through glass panels located 9.60 meters high. It is listed as a Historical Monument.
This tour is offered by the Hôtel de Ville Library as part of Paris under the microscope, the festival of young research on Paris.
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