What are the most beautiful libraries in the world?
Manchester, England - Library City!Some beautiful libraries are located in Manchester, my home city, so I'll start with these and then move on to a couple in Paris, France. Apart from the Richelieu Library site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France and Sainte-Geneviève, I've visited all the below.John Ryland's library, Manchester, England - Completed in 1899John Ryland's library, Manchester - Old entrance. John Ryland's library, Manchester - Reading RoomsJohn Ryland's library - StaircaseChetham's library - Manchester, England - Housed in early 15th Century buildingsChetham's library - Manchester, England - where Marx and Engels used to frequent.Chetham's library - Manchester - Marx and Engels' study desk and alcove.Chetham's library - Reading Rooms - Manchester, EnglandManchester central library - bird's eye view of the circular building and adjacent town hall extension Manchester central library - Newly refurbished reading hallBibliothèque nationale de France - Mitterrand LibraryI've yet to experience anything as audacious as the Bibliothèque nationale de France's François-Mitterrand library, however. This was a new addition to the library and one of Mitterrand's 'Grand Projects' and completed in 1995.Birds eye view, showing the central forest courtyard and the 4 towers.This is the street level and the reading rooms are down below.......encircling the central forest courtyard.An upper level reading room, looking out over the courtyard.Inside one of the reading roomsBibliothèque nationale de France - Richelieu LibraryThe much earlier central Paris, rue de Richelieu site has an old world charm. You won't, however, be able to visit it as it is undergoing renovation. Bibliothèque nationale de France - Richelieu Library reading roomsBibliothèque Sainte-GenevièveHenri Labrouste's glass and ironwork masterpiece in Paris is even more breathtaking.Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève - reading roomsNotesJohn Rylands LibraryWelcome to Chetham's LibraryCentral Library | Manchester City CouncilWelcome to the BnF