The American Library in Paris

Such a wonderful find on our first day in Paris! We stopped by for a little while after lunch and just enjoyed perusing the shelves. If you're like me and enjoy library history and old books, you'll love the periodicals section. Some of them date back to the 19th century and are lined up in these magnificent rows... I wish I had known more about the library's history before our visit because it has a long and fascinating past! Today, it functions like your regular public library (albeit in France), but it can be a great source even for tourists just to unwind, read or work on projects for school/work, and soak in a little bit of our shared history.

I have spent a lot of time in this library over the past year for my last year of studies in Paris, and I have to say it was a really great place to work. The staff are all incredibly friendly, from the librarians to security, and the facilities available are good too. There are good seating areas to do some work, 2 ‘office’ styled rooms that you can book to work in private, and obviously, a huge collection of English language content, ranging from travel guides to archived magazines. I cannot recommend this place enough if you have work to do, or if you just fancy going to do some reading - it is a great environment for both. Thank you very much!

Quiet, well-maintained library with a wide selection of books, magazines, and digital resources. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Comfortable seating and study areas made it a perfect place to read or work on projects. Free Wi-Fi is a huge bonus.

They have a free visit for 30 min. They give you a badge and you can visit different sections and places. The staff are so friendly. You can buy a one-day pass for 15€ or a yearly membership.

I am a librarian myself, so of course I had to visit here! I showed up initially on a Thursday, and came back the following day for the presentation on the history of the library. Absolutely fascinating, and everyone is so warm and welcoming! It is now my dearest wish to come back and volunteer at this very special place!

This was one of the most friendly and helpful libraries we have ever been to. We were given a lovely guided tour of the whole facility. The history and mission story was extrordinary. We were unaware of the tremendous service they provided during the war. I strongly recommend make time a visit.

Beautiful library with incredibly kind staff. It’s wonderful seeing an American community in Paris. The library has a lot a things, events for all ages, but, I find it expensive. I know it’s Paris, but a 15€ fee to be there is a lot (mind you can stay 20-30 minutes for free, so if anyone’s looking to check it out, please do). And 100-110 yearly fee, 75 four months… it comes with a lot of perks, but it’s nonetheless pricey. I find it to be a shame, because again, it’s a wonderful place

After reading The Paris Library, we couldn't miss seeing the real thing on vacation in Paris!

I needed somewhere to use a computer while on vacation . A google search landed me here. Close to the Eiffel Tower. Minimal Street parking available . There's a rail in front to lock your bicycle to it. Inside is clean, cool from the A/C . Staff was friendly and welcoming . If you are not a member , it is $10 a day to use the library . Which includes access to computers and wifi. It's a very nice library . No large bags allowed inside . I had my luggage and had to leave it in the front which wasn't an issue. Overall great experience and would recommend if you need to use a computer for work while you travel . Very quiet too.

What a wonderful service and what an extraordinary staff and administration! A true oasis and orovider of delightful soul pabulum! I am infinitely grateful!

Ask any 20 year old in Paris, and they will easily tell you the best clubs, cheapest bars, and flirtiest of places to get drugged up and fucked up. However, I take a quizzical amount of pride in being able to give you a rough history and description of the best libraries and the tourist sites within proximity. I know what you must be thinking, how is this any different from the American libraries? Well, in truth, its not. Aside from the fact that the building you're sitting in is older than any of the libraries in the states, Parisian libraries and their content is not so much different. Its the fact that you're in a library, in Paris, checking out books in French- books that, might I add, were conducive to the building of French history, the history of human rights, and the international literary community. Parisian libraries are made of more history- literal and literary. That is, until, I stumbled on The American Library in Paris. This library combined the greatness that is American literature with the surreal reality of being located just two blocks from the Eiffel Tower. Plus, you check your snobby Parisian attitudes at the door and staff is completely friendly- American style! To convey my experience in a more more intellectually arousing fashion, I'll put it this way- I was a happy butterfly in a garden of English and French roses! Or not. But it was heaven. Next to American literary legend F. Scott Fitzgerald, sat novels by Simone de Beauvoir. And next to her sat a Lenny Kravitz CD. And the list goes on and on, until I stumbled on my most prized discovery- an LSAT prep book. Not just one but an array of them dating from 2002-2010. AMAZE BALLS. I checked out two. In sum, I walked out with two Steinbeck novels- Grapes of Wrath and The Moon is Down in addition to a bunch of LSAT prep books. I don't know anyone else who would write a whole Harry Potter novel on libraries, but can you blame me? I am a livid student, tired of the night life, hungry for some intellect. Just trying to find some place to cultivate my down time away from the screaming mess of bar crawls. And this, addicts and drunkies, is where to be on a Saturday afternoon. PS: The American Library is a private library, not subsidized by the French government so you do have to pay an annual fee. 100 euros for a regular pass which allows 20 books to be checked out at a time. 65 euros for a student annual pass. 135 euros for a family annual pass. 45 euros for a 4 month pass and 65 euros for a six month pass.