Romain Rolland Library

Romain Rolland Library is a historic public library located in White Town, Puducherry. Established in 1827 as the Bibliothèque Publique, it is one of the oldest libraries in India. Housed in a French colonial building near Goubert Avenue, it holds a large collection of books in French, English, Tamil and other languages, including rare volumes. Renamed in 1966 after French Nobel laureate Romain Rolland, it serves as a major reading and research centre.

Visitors can expect a quiet French colonial building in White Town with reading halls, reference and children's sections, and stacks of books in French, English, Tamil and other languages. The interior has traditional wooden shelves, reading tables and newspaper sections. The surroundings are heritage streets near Bharathi Park and the seafront promenade. Visitors can browse, read, consult reference materials and view the historic architecture from outside and in designated public areas.

Established in 1827 as the Bibliothèque Publique during French colonial administration, it is among the oldest libraries in India. It was renamed in 1966 after Romain Rolland, French scholar and Nobel laureate in Literature, to honour his support for cultural exchange. The library has preserved French-era documents, rare books and manuscripts reflecting Puducherry's colonial history.

Serves as a major centre for French, English and Tamil literature and research in Puducherry. It reflects the French-Tamil cultural heritage of White Town and supports students, researchers and general readers. Its multilingual collection and heritage building make it an important cultural institution for the Union Territory.