5 most beautiful libraries in Europe for book lovers

Albert Einstein once said: "The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library."

While you might never have considered adding public libraries to your travel itineraries before, if you're a curious book lover you'll definitely appreciate walking through the halls of sublime libraries and exploring their rich collections. From Paris to Vienna, here are five must-see European libraries to add to your next travel bucket list.

1. French National Library, Paris, France

After 12 years of renovations, the historical building Le site Richelieu of the National Library of France (BnF) finally reopened in September 2022. Located in the very heart of Paris, close to the Louvre and the Jardin du Palais Royal, the library became a crucial place for Parisians to spend time reading. Students, researchers, professionals, as well as the general public, now have free access to 20,000 volumes of books in the Oval room. There is also a small garden, a café, and the Musée de la BnF which features almost 900 unique works, including manuscripts of great literary works such as Victor Hugo's Les Misérables (1862). 

 

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Photo 1 - Salle Labrouste, Photo 2 - Salle Ovale © Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

The library has existed since 1368, initially as the private Charles V Royal Library. As the monarchies changed, in 1721 the library settled in the former palace of Cardinal Mazarin, on Richelieu street in Paris. Eventually, in 1793, it became the first free public library and one of the largest libraries in the world. From Jean-Jacques Lequeu and Henry Labrouste to Dominique Perrault and Bruno Gaudin: significant architects' work and the long history of the construction are shown in the structure of the building.

As well as the Oval room, visitors can also explore the famous Labrouste reading room, an area reserved for art history students and professionals. Inspired by Parisian markets and railway stations, the Labrouste room has nine pillars propping up a series of high domes with skylights that fill the interiors with natural light.

2. Royal Danish Library (Black Diamond), Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish refer to this library the Black Diamond, to describe its magnificent façade. It stands on the side of the Københavns Havn or Port of Copenhagen. Made of black marble and glass, it glistens by the bay's reflection and sky. The natural light flows into a huge atrium through the giant glass façade, and visitors can admire the scenic views of the harbour.The Black Diamond library was built in 1999 by Danish architect Schmidt Hammer Lassen as an extension of the old Royal Library. A bridge connecting the old and new buildings was designed above the Christians Brygge road with a massive painting by Danish painter Per Kirkeby on its ceiling.

Four hundred fifty rooms are distributed on the eight floors, which consist of exhibition rooms, a bookstore, a cafe, art and photography museums, open study areas and a vast reading room open to the public. Among several books, journals, manuscripts and maps displayed in The Black Diamond, there are also photographs and documentation of folkways and traditions, and the first Danish books printed by Johann Snell in 1482.