I just wrote to a friend “Sometimes the wait is where the magic happens.” It reminded me the inbetweens – stairs, etc- that I often write about. Waiting seems to be an inbetween in regards to time- but maybe instead of being the line, it’s the point.
The Richelieu library was an inbetween. Between Cartier and Le Bourse- recommended by a stranger met first walking at night inbetween our hotel and dinner but also then at our hotel bar- it seemed like a perfect place to pass through.
It’s an amazing place- putting at the center of singular expansive circular halls the practice of reading. Reading is probably one of the most important activities to me- I find relief in knowing how little I know and how much there is yet to discover. It puts anyone’s life into perspective.
Because it was an inbetween- and a busy well used one at that- I didn’t dare walk into the center of any of the halls, but wish I would have for the one that was open to the public (I think- the Salle Ovale). How odd to think about standing in the middle, looking around at the 4 stories of books – it is perhaps only rivaled by the library in Mexico City where the human has the ability to be surrounded all at once in totality of the books. It’s a lot of words.
There’s a modern touch here leading to the gallery above (a staircase being inbetween) and on the next visit- not inbetween- I would definitely pay the fee to go upstairs, of course not for the exhibit, but to see the rest of the building. I did have a peek into a side room, empty, but exceptionally preserved from the original building.
It is rare to be inside a space so grand- maybe a train or airport terminal or stadium- that’s how huge these spaces were. But unlike those, these of the Richelieu were quiet in a church like way- where study is a kind of devotion.
P.S. A few here… Jardin du Palais-Royal is just next door and absolutely one of my favorite places that I visit on every visit to Paris. I wonder what other libraries there are in Paris to visit- as if in front of me I have missed the most obvious of gems. I was intending to visit the Philharmonie de Paris this same day, but will have to leave it for next time.
Address: 5 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France
Website: Dezeen write up of latest renovation
ofallthespaces 