Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All France Nice La Tete Carrée Library

La Tete Carrée Library

This massive blockhead sculpture hides an entire library.

Nice, France

Added By
ser flac
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
La Tete Carrée Library   Allison / Atlas Obscura User
La Tete Carrée Library   mofetos on Flickr
La Tete Carrée Library   Paul Stevenson on Flickr
La Tete Carrée Library   Gradys Kitchen on Flickr
La Tête Carrée   murasane
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

If blockhead or square-face was your first interpretation of La Tête Carrée Library, it might be just the place for you.

Posing an accusatory and clear metaphor, French artist Sacha Sosno designed this massive sculpture for the Central Library in Nice. Titled "Thinking Inside the Box," the work has a clear but nonetheless important message. At a staggering height of 85 feet, the massive cube-shaped sculpture with a chin, actually houses three floors of books in a perfect melding of art and education.

Although unclear in the bright sunshine of the French Riviera, the floors of the library can be seen at night when it is illuminated through the canvas that covers its exterior. Whether the metaphor applies to you, or another other sun-soaked pedestrian on the streets of Nice, its imposing figure remains intriguing.

Update: As of December 2024, both the library and the entire surrounding square is closed for reconstruction. The library is currently scheduled to reopen at the end of 2025. Until then the head can only be seen from the outside over the construction fences.

Related Tags

Monuments Statues Outsider Architecture Libraries

Community Contributors

Added By

serflac

Edited By

Simpluree, Allison, atimian, murasane

  • Simpluree
  • Allison
  • atimian
  • murasane

Published

December 2, 2014

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.strangebuildings.com/la-tete-au-carre-nice-france/
  • http://www.bmvr-nice.com.fr/OPACWebAloes/index.aspx?IdPage=76
  • http://www.nice.fr/Culture/Lecture/Bibliotheque-Louis-NUCERA
La Tete Carrée Library
Esplanade Kennedy
Nice, 06000
France
43.703036, 7.2791
Get Directions

Nearby Places

La Crypte Archéologique de Nice

Nice, France

miles away

Fontaine du Soleil (The Sun Fountain)

Nice, France

miles away

L'Ange de la Baie

Nice, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nice

Nice

France

Places 5
Stories 2

Nearby Places

La Crypte Archéologique de Nice

Nice, France

miles away

Fontaine du Soleil (The Sun Fountain)

Nice, France

miles away

L'Ange de la Baie

Nice, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nice

Nice

France

Places 5
Stories 2

Related Places

  • Librarian with Donkey Monument

    Ürgüp, Turkey

    Librarian With the Donkey Monument

    A monument to the Turkish librarian who delivered books on the back of a donkey.

  • Bubanj Memorial Park

    Niš, Serbia

    Bubanj Memorial Park

    This memorial park stands on the site of one of the largest mass executions of the Second World War.

  • Salantai, Lithuania

    Orvidas Garden

    Sculpture garden of religious statues made it through Soviet rule.

  • Menhires Pola Paz

    A Coruña, Spain

    Menhires Pola Paz

    Giant granite sculptures representing family on the northern coast of Spain.

  • (Flickr/ninastoessinger)

    Byurakan, Armenia

    Armenian Alphabet Monument

    Giant stone letters dedicated to the founder of Armenia's alphabet.

  • Tijuana, Mexico

    La Mona

    Giant nude woman of Tijuana is also the artist's home.

  • The Rainbow Hall

    Lookout Mountain, Georgia

    Rock City

    A bizarre roadside attraction and the first instance of miniature golf in the world.

  • Rapa Nui, Chile

    "El Gigante" and the Moai of Rapa Nui

    The largest stone moai on Rapa Nui.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.