This hidden library in the 9th arrondissement is home to a secret garden where you can read in the sun for free.

There are some addresses in Paris that are jealously guarded, like a treasure preserved from the noise of the city. The Louise Walser-Gaillard library, nestled in the heart of a private mansion in the 9th arrondissement, is one of those rare places where reading and sunbathing combine naturally. Its secret garden in Paris, discreet and soothing, deserves much more than a simple detour.

A private mansion hiding a secret garden in Paris

Since its inauguration on January 17, 2008, this municipal library has been welcoming reading enthusiasts in an unusual setting. The building, often mistakenly referred to as the Hôtel de Sévigné, now houses over 46,731 documents in several different areas.

Among them, the Grand Salon stands out. It’s the only room to have retained its original décor: a fireplace inspired by the Château de Fontainebleau, elegant parquet flooring and frescoes rising to the ceiling. Yet it’s the inner courtyard that concentrates all the magic of the place.

Just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the street, this leafy spot offers a quiet break that many Parisians seek without even knowing it exists. All you have to do is push open the door at 26, rue Chaptal to access this luminous refuge, entirely free of charge.

The Louise Walser-Gaillard library is the first public institution in France to bear the name of a hearing-impaired personality.

The Pauline Garcia-Viardot garden, a space open to all

This secret garden in Paris now has a name: the Pauline Garcia-Viardot garden. In this green space, you can read, relax and, for some visitors, even garden. A lively, communal use that sets this place apart from most Parisian libraries.

In this way, the inner courtyard is more than just a decorative feature. It becomes a natural extension of the reading rooms, a place where body and mind can rejuvenate together, far from the hustle and bustle.

An inclusive place with a strong history

The library wasn’t always called that. Until 2019, it was known as the Chaptal Library. This name change represents much more than a simple administrative gesture.

By choosing to honor Louise Walser-Gaillard, a deaf activist and poet, the institution has become the first public institution in France to bear the name of a deaf personality. A strong signal, which commits the entire Parisian library network to greater inclusion.

What’s more, the library is now the 4th largest deaf center in the Paris network. It offers adaptations in French Sign Language (LSF), specific workshops and documentation dedicated to deaf culture. All visitors, whatever their situation, will find a welcome designed just for them.

• A secret garden in Paris named after Pauline Garcia-Viardot, open to reading and relaxation
• Over 46,731 documents available in the library’s various rooms
• A Grand Salon with preserved original decor, fireplace, parquet floor and ceiling frescoes
• France’s first public establishment to bear the name of a hearing-impaired personality
• Regular events and adaptations in French Sign Language (LSF)

This secret garden in Paris is also for you

Do you like to read outdoors, but find crowded parks daunting? This secret garden in Paris is just what you need. Access is completely free, as it is for all of the capital’s nearly 70 public libraries.

No need to register in advance to enjoy the courtyard. Just turn up on rue Chaptal and let the setting do the rest. In practice, the place is just as suitable for regular readers as it is for those simply looking for a quiet moment in a beautiful setting.

However, this type of secret garden in Paris is becoming rare. Many are still unaware of its existence, which helps to preserve its confidential atmosphere. The Louise Walser-Gaillard library remains one of those rare places where culture, greenery and inclusion come together under the same roof – and under the same sun.

For those who wish to get more involved, workshops on deaf culture and adapted activities are organized on a regular basis. So this secret garden in Paris is not just a place to rest: it’s a living place, rooted in its neighborhood, open to all.

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