Paris for Bookworms: 10 Quiet Spots in the French Capital

Paris for Bookworms: 10 Quiet Spots in the French Capital

Believe it or not, not everyone thrives in the vibrant bustle of Paris’ city streets.

Paris is a labyrinth of light, movement and sounds, so bookworms might find it hard to locate a quiet nook in which to escape to their fictional worlds. If you know where to go, Paris is a reader’s paradise. I’ve listed some suitable spots to make things that much easier.

1. Montmartre Cemetery in Paris

While all of Paris’ cemeteries pose great, quiet reading spots, I will always choose Montmartre up in the north as my go-to.

It’s one of the four main garden cemeteries on the four coordinates of the city. Garden cemeteries are immediately ten times more alluring than regular ones; there is something about blossoming trees over tombs that makes the space much less spooky.

Montmartre Cemetery – by MOSSOT – Wikimedia Commons

I choose Montmartre because it gets enough traffic to keep it public and safe, but not nearly as much as Pere Lachaise over in the east. Because of the famous tombs there, thousands of tourists visit each day, making quiet reading a little less appealing.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 8am to 6pm

ADDRESS: 20 Avenue Rachel, 75018 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Place de Clichy

2. Used Book Cafe in Paris

I still consider this one of my top finds in the city.

Over in le Marais, the Used Book Cafe is a charming tea and brunch spot inside of the Merci departments store on the bustling Boulevard Beaumarchais.

The cafe is built inside of a library, with books from the floors to the ceiling. Customers are encouraged to grab a novel and dive into it while they eat, or to bring a book of their own and curl up with it for as long as they’d like.

Le Used Book Cafe – by Used Book Cafe – Sourced from their website

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 10am to 7pm

ADDRESS: 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Filles du Calvaire

3. Luxembourg Gardens in Paris

Paris’ parks might be an obvious choice for someone in need of a peaceful escape, but not all of them are quiet. I find the smaller neighborhood parks always have at least one crowd of people who’ve brought a loud speaker along.

Luxembourg Gardens is big enough to find solace even on the most crowded of days. There are reading nooks between the flower beds, behind the trees on the southern boarder and near most of the statues.

Luxembourg Gardens – by Matt Casagrande – Wikimedia Commons

4. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in Paris

The Luxembourg Gardens are convenient to anyone on the Left Bank, if you’re on the right, then the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont would be your best reading getaway.

This park draws hundreds of visitors daily, but you hardly notice thanks to the giant hillside upon which it is built. Find a spot anywhere on the edge of the lake; at most, you might be briefly greeted by a curious dog run astray.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont – by Daniel Vorndran – Wikimedia Commons

5. Sainte-Geneviève Library in Paris

On a colder day when reading in a park isn’t an option, Paris’ libraries make for great alternatives.

This one in particular is just next to the Luxembourg Gardens, right opposite the Pantheon.

The Sainte-Geneviève Library is a public and university library with one of the most exquisite interiors you’ll find. Entrance is free to all, you simply have to register online prior to your visit.

Sainte-Geneviève Library – by Sainte-Geneviève Library – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 10am to 10pm

ADDRESS: 10 Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Maubert – Mutualité

6. The Rodin Museum in Paris

The Rodin Museum is widely known as one of the best museums in Paris in which to lose yourself for hours on end.

This is because the museum gardens are as important as the museum itself, boasting acres of manicured green space and important works of statue art.

As a museum attendee, you’ll be allowed to take up a spot on the lawns or benches and read to your heart’s content. It’s an incredibly peaceful place.

Rodin Museum – by Shadowgate – Wikimedia Commons

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 10am to 6:30pm

ADDRESS: 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Varenne

7. Église Saint-Gervais in Paris

Churches like the Sacre Coeur or Notre Dame are, ironically, never quiet. There are thousands of people visiting the spaces at any given time; not suitable for a lonely reader.

There Église Saint-Gervais is still central, it’s in le Marais, and you’re likely to be the only soul in the building if you go during the week. Reading in a pew is absolutely fine so long as you keep to yourself.

Église Saint-Gervais – by Diliff – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 13 Rue des Barres, 75004 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Hôtel de Ville

8. Along the Seine in Paris

Seemingly obvious, but almost anywhere along the Seine is usually good for a reading escape.

Steer clear of the parts the attract a lot of foot traffic, particularly by the Bouquinistes on the right bank between the Pont Marie to the Quai du Louvre, and on the left bank from the Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire.

by Daniela Kloth – Wikimedia Commons

9. Along the Canal Saint Martin in Paris

If you’re staying further north in the city, then the Canal Saint Martin might be more convenient for your waterside read.

During the day, this canal is relatively quiet, especially is you venture further north. As the evening approaches closer to sunset you’ll find the banks get a bit more lively as people come to laze about here after work.

10. The Wall of Love in Paris

The I Love You Wall is in Montmartre, in the small Jehan Rictus square. It’s an art installation featuring the words “I love you” in over 250 languages from around the world.

Despite being one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area, this spot is unusually quiet. Those that come to see it do so very peacefully, rarely exchanging words as they read every inch of the tiles looking for their own language to appear.

There are park benches and walkways through the greenery where anyone is welcome to settle in during the day. The square will only be closed at 8:30pm.

Square Jehan Rictus – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 8am to 8:30pm

ADDRESS: Square Jehan Rictus, Place des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, France

Metro STATION: Abbesses