Bibliothèque de l'Hôtel de Ville, Public and special library in Hôtel de Ville, 4th arrondissement of Paris, France
The Bibliothèque de l'Hôtel de Ville is a public library housed within Paris City Hall that focuses on administrative documents and historical records about the city. It provides researchers with access to extensive collections of manuscripts, plans, and publications that trace the development of Parisian institutions and their history.
The library was founded in 1763 and has preserved municipal records, architectural plans, and administrative publications through major phases of Paris's development. Its collections grew to document the city's transformations during the French Revolution and through modern urban changes.
The library holds collections that document political, economic, and social changes in Paris through manuscripts, photographs, and specialized publications. These materials show how the city developed over centuries and what roles different institutions played in shaping it.
To use the library, visitors need proof of residency and must explain their research purpose. The reading rooms are located in central Paris but are only open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
The reading rooms feature wooden spiral staircases at each corner that wind upward and give the space an unexpected architectural quality. The study tables are marked with individually numbered plaques that feel like a remnant from earlier times.
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