France's equivalent to the Library of Congress is located not far from Chinatown on the left bank of the Seine. This rather unusual building consists of four towers modeled on the shape of open books at the corners (two are visible here), a large courtyard in the middle (with some rather scruffy looking trees), and two layers of very nice reading rooms facing onto the courtyard. The best feature is the enormous deck which connects the four towers and surrounds the courtyard. A huge assortment of languages can be heard in the halls and cafeteria of this impressive place. |