The library

 A few images of the library where I studied in 2024 for the specialist qualification examination. I originally went to the medical library near our place but was told unceremoniously that I could not enter because I was not a medical student. Like many things in France, one needs to know where/how/who to complain and finally I was given access to the main medical school library. The library has origins dating back to the 13th century and has gone through a lot of evolution through the centuries.  

Walking down Rue de l'ecole de médecine towards the library

A statue of Vulpian, the French neurologist who discovered adrenaline and first described fibrillation of the heart. Imagine in those days medicine was a lot less subspecialised! 

Exterior view of the library

Once inside, there is a hall full of statues that I somehow never took a photo of. There is this huge plaque under the stairs commemorating the doctors and students lost during the first world war. 

There is a grand staircase replete with chandeliers leading up to the first floor 

The entrance to the library 

I always adored the railings, especially the shadows cast by the light in the evenings 

The library hall is huge but there are only 100 allocated study spaces. One studies under these modern retro style green lamps!

There is also a small chamber downstairs where the precious sun casts its rays on sunny days. Always packed to the brim when the weather is nice! 

One can also choose to sit next to any number of macabre old school posters. I love that there are signs everywhere forbidding smoking. 

The ornate ceiling 

The coffee machine downstairs where one can play games while waiting for the coffee. I do love a good game of snake (the snake eats croissants) but I never managed to solve these slidey puzzles in 40 seconds, like seriously how would anyone manage to do that? 

Another beautiful sunny day at the library

During the months I was there, I explored all the surrounding areas while on break. Photos of those streetscapes could make another post but I thought I'd just share one - the fountain of Medici in the Luxembourg gardens on an autumn day. 

And that concludes our little photo journal of the library. It's also in the same building as the museum of medicine, which I plan to visit one day when I've passed the exam. I hope it's full of gruesome bits.