Where to study in Paris ?

[u/Rounos03]

Bonjour,

I know this question has already been answered but given the current upheavals and Centre Pompidou being closed, I cannot find a proper place to study.

Is there any library with study spaces in Paris which does not have a 3-hour long waiting line?

Is it normal to have queues in front of libraries ? How do students here manage the apparent lack of infrastructure?

Thank you and bonne journee

[u/armeniaca-mume2405]

most of the time I just go to my university's library (BU)

depending on what university you are in you might have access to multiple campus, one that might be closer to your residence

otherwise, Sainte-Genevieve is a well known library, but I actually prefer Sainte Barbe (you just have to register for the first time to get in with a card)

[u/AvaJupiter]

“How do students here manage the apparent lack of infrastructure?”

This is a very relevant question you ask. Interestingly, the answer is: by protesting to obtain better conditions.

[u/SixthLenin]

it might be a bit far to you but bnf at 13th arrondissement is a good place to study, these times where faculties are blocked it is a bit dense so you have to get there a bit early but there are generally spots available.

[u/Soliman1901]

Bibliothèque Françoise Sagan in the 10th or Bibliothèque canopée at les Halles. Or even Bibliothèque Richelieu rue Vivienne in the 9th if you come early in the morning

[u/Bubbly-Lengthiness-8]

come to my residence🤣

[u/Ok-Product1171]

there's so many libraries in paris, you can also look for the mediatheques. and yes if you go to a "famous" library you'll likely have a queue but they usually go fast. its more important to check if its full before you go (BNF shows the occupation online for exemple)

[u/Rounos03 → u/Ok-Product1171]

Most mediatheque I have seen do not have study spaces. Is there any good ones you would recommend?

The queues at the BNF and BSG are long and last for hours. Are they usually that long ?

[u/sportengels → u/Rounos03]

you do have to arrive early at the BNF, i would say 9:30, otherwise it tends to fill up. it's open saturday as well, usually less people. i arrived at 10 and waited 20 minutes, not unreasonable.

[u/Petronille_N_1806 → u/Rounos03]

Bibliothèque Sainte Barbe. It’s close to BSG without the queue (except for subscription)

[u/armeniaca-mume2405 → u/Petronille_N_1806]

i find BSB so much more convenient : less queue, bigger tables, newer infrastructure and better environment (unless you only want the "dark academia" aesthetic of BSG)

[u/Petronille_N_1806 → u/armeniaca-mume2405]

BSG is beautiful but BSB is more confortable. However I would like the interior court of BSB accessible it would be a good place to chill in spring

[u/Basic-Style-8512]

The Centre Pompidou's library has moved for 5 years to 40 Avenue des Terroirs de France (BERCY): cooler, nicer, cleaner, modern building (except saturdays and sundays, as always)

[u/topitopi09 → u/Basic-Style-8512]

the building is "cleaner", the library - not so.
but i confirm : open under the same conditions as it was in Centre Ppompidou.

[u/Rounos03 → u/Basic-Style-8512]

Thank you. What happens on Saturdays and Sundays? Also does it get as busy at the Sainte-Genevieve Library next to Pantheon ?

[u/PorygonXY → u/Rounos03]

Haven't been there to work in a while but for the BPI (what you call centre pompidou), Saturdays and Sundays are extra busy and you should expect there to be a pretty significant queue throughout the entire afternoon. Right at the opening time (at noon during the week, or 11am during week ends) is your best shot otherwise you could easily wait for over half an hour if not an entire hour.

It's even worse during busier periods of the year: december/january (exam period) and may/june (highschoolers also start going to BPI so you get 2x more people potentially queuing there. I would avoid it altogether and try to go to smaller, local public libraries.

Again i'm clueless about how it is nowadays since i'm no longer a student but there is a public, official app called Affluences where you can check libraries and the likes alongside opening times, number of seats etc... and most importantly what the current waiting times are (which are updated in real time and are fairly accurate?), it could be helpful if you need more info.

[u/Rounos03 → u/[deleted]]

Oof. How do you guys handle this ? Go early in the morning or have Passe Recherches?

I am sorry if my questions sound stupid. I have never seen people queuing to get inside a library before coming here.