Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal — Attraction in Paris

Not really a tourist attraction as entrance can only be gained by passing an interview and getting a reader’s card (which can only be done at a different location in Paris).

However, for those of us fortunate enough to be granted entry, this is a hallowed ground. The Arsenal Library is the repository of France’s national collection of ancient occult books.

If you want to view the actual manuscripts, you’ll need to pass an additional interview with the curator (spoiler alert: it’s really hard). However, all of the occult and rare books are also available on microfilm.

Warning: brush up on your French before going here because almost nobody speaks English. And make sure you visit the website and follow the rules (no ink pens, only pencils allowed inside!).

There are free lockers where you can leave your belongings since you can’t be inside the reading room with any kind of bag.

The staff is helpful (hopefully you know at least rudimentary French) and my best advice is to print out the listing for the books you want to view beforehand. You will have to fill out a written request on the spot to gain access to the specific books.

Bring a pencil sharpener and a small plastic bag to catch the shavings. It will save you from hunkering down on the floor and sharpening your pencil over the librarian’s trash...

You can easily register and use the library to study but there are some annoying things to consider: When you enter, they make you deposit your own bag and put all your stuff in a transparent bag that they give you. You cannot eat anything in the library. You can drink only bottled water. No coffee, no tea, nothing. The chairs are extremely uncomfortable and noisy. It is a small library so you will be sitting very closely to other people. The capacity is less than 100 people. Overall it’s a nice place to visit but definitely not comfortable to...

Une des rares bibliothèque ouverte le lundi mais je ne sais pas si ca vaut le coup

15 euros l'abonnement alors que je ne suis la qu'une semaine et ce, meme si cest juste pour réviser sans consulter les documents

Impossible de choisir sa place, on nous y installe

Salle de travail petite et chaises bruyantes

On ne peut pas prendre nos sacs avec nous on doit mettre nos affaires (ordinateur sans protection sans housse, gourdes et autres) dans un sac plastique transparent

Et des gens qui rigolent a l'accueil et dans la salle ...

Franchement déçue

La bibliothèque militaire ou la bibliothèque de l'hôtel de ville sont mieux, plus grandes, personnels plus souriants et surtout gratuites alors que ce sont des bibliothèques bien plus importantes (tailles, monuments...