Carnegie Library

The Carnegie Library of Reims, an Art Deco jewel

This is no ordinary library: the Carnegie Library is a true Art Deco masterpiece, in a city regarded as the French capital of this style. Mosaics, ironwork and golden light make it an extraordinary place. The Reims audio-guided tour stops here to tell the flamboyant rebirth of the city after the Great War.

Reims, capital of Art Deco

Three quarters of Reims went up in smoke during the First World War. The reconstruction, from the 1920s, was largely carried out in the then-booming Art Deco style, which today earns the city a singular reputation. The library, whose name honours the patron and industrialist Andrew Carnegie, embodies that moment when Reims rose again by combining public service and decorative refinement.

What to see

The hall and reading room are a feast for the eyes: mosaics with geometric patterns, stained glass, ironwork and fine materials decline the Art Deco vocabulary in every detail. A study and research library, it also watches over a rich written heritage. It is a rare stop, where the architecture of the Roaring Twenties can still be visited as an intact setting.

Practical information

The Carnegie Library is in the centre of Reims, reachable on foot. It is a working library: access to the heritage spaces and any visits follow particular hours and conditions, which vary by day and programme. Before coming to admire the Art Deco decor, it is best to check access arrangements with the institution.

Why is the library called Carnegie?

Its name honours the industrialist and patron Andrew Carnegie, whose support for public reading left its mark on many libraries around the world.

Why is Reims linked to Art Deco?

Because the city, heavily destroyed during the First World War, was largely rebuilt in the 1920s at the height of Art Deco, of which the Carnegie Library is a striking example.