The INHA Library

Updated on 24 July 2024

With its unique architecture, the library of the National Institute of Art History is located in the heart of Paris, in the 2nd arrondissement, on the Richelieu site. It extends into the Labrouste Room and the adjacent former stacks. This historic room, created by architect Henri Labrouste in 1860, has been fully renovated to restore the elegance, clarity, and studious comfort envisioned by its architect.

Coming to the INHA Library

The INHA Library is open to professors, researchers, curators, as well as students from Master 1 level onwards in art history and archaeology. Registration is required to access the library. Access is granted only to registered users.

The Library Collections

In the Labrouste Room at the Richelieu site, the INHA library offers students and researchers in art history one of the world’s largest collections of books in the fields of art history and archaeology: 1.7 million documents spread over 4,500 square meters. One of its unique features is providing open access to 180,000 books and journals on the shelves of the Labrouste Room and the central stacks. The library provides national access to its collections, regardless of the researchers’ affiliated institutions.

Services Offered to Library Users

As a user of the National Institute of Art History Library, you benefit from a range of services.

Services for library professionals