sainte-geneviève library

The Sainte-Geneviève Library in Paris is a historic, beautiful public and university library located at 10 Place du Panthéon in the Latin Quarter. It houses around 2 million documents covering a wide range of subjects including philosophy, psychology, religion, and social sciences. The library is renowned for its remarkable architecture, especially the Labrouste reading room with its iron structure and neo-Gothic style. It is free to visit and open to the public, with registration required for access. The building itself is a listed historic monument, originally linked to the Abbey of Sainte-Geneviève, with origins dating back to the 6th century. The current library was built between 1844 and 1851 by architect Henri Labrouste, making it the first library in France not attached to a church or school. Guided tours are available for free by reservation. The library is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm and is a strong cultural and academic hub in Paris, hosting ebooks, exhibitions, and studies for students and scholars alike.