I could (and did) spend hours here. There are so many books to look at and it's absolutely amazing…read more They've got quite a selection of first editions. Just incredible. The shop opened in the 50s by an American called George Whitman and he initially named it Le Mistral. I believe the name changed in the 60s to what we know it as today. As a fan of literature, Shakespeare and Company is like Mecca. The Holy Grail, if you will. Whether you stick downstairs where it gets busy or upstairs where it's for more of a library feel, it's simply a magical experience. An experience that transcends you into the pages of your favorite novel or book of poetry. A timeless, nostalgic, and electric adventure awaits you.

Shakespeare and Company is one of the notorious Global booksellers. It is located in Paris, on the…read moreRiver Seine across from Notre Dame (you really can't miss it), and there seems to be a block-long queue everyday, anytime it's open. Founded by Sylvia Beach in 1919, it was a hangout for many American and British writers when they lived in Paris. Like any great bookstore, this retail establishment has an impressive inventory of books in English, in all major categories: Children's literature, classics, culinary, culture, economics, history, politics, travel, etc, etc. We checked 4 different days, and finally got in on our fifth try. The shop is a labyrinth of interconnected rooms, and actually takes up nearly a whole block. The check-out clerks will stamp your books with the Shakespeare & Co logo and name; so it's fun to gift a classic, like Winnie the Pooh, to your grandkids. And there is a cafe next door where you can sit and enjoy your purchases. Read up on the Tumbleweeds.

This was worth the visit for some quirky and amazing folk art. There is an exhibit in a dark room…read morethat had so many fabulous pieces of art, that I thought we had seen the whole museum. But wait! Up some windy stairs is a sunlit room with about the same amount of art. Some things were creepy, some were a level of obsessive detail that required long minutes of marveling, and some were inspiring. 2 hours is a sufficient visit, and you will want to reserve time to peruse the bookstore and get a snack, lunch, or beverage at the café. The museum is in the garment district, and the art may inspire you to pick up some fabric to make a collage.

A stunning cyclorama with two feature exhibits, a bright and airy bookstore, and a crazy busy cafe…read morefor an accessible 9€. We popped in for the Jeunet/Caro exhibit, because when in Paris, you Amélie. The design of the exhibit space is in a wagon wheel, with fixtures from the duos filmography segmented by "pie piece." An intriguing blend of movie props, original script notes, stills and videography paint a brilliant behind-the-scenes for The City of Lost Children, Delicatessen, MicMacs, Alien: Resurrection and more. A floor up, sunlight floods a year-long showcase residency called Turbulence in the Balkans, featuring Eastern European works but unfortunately, no brass bands. Sad dance party loss. Anyhoodle, the space open, well-designed and easy to get through in an hour or so. If the exhibits catch your fancy, pop in for an afternoon delight.

One of my favorite bookstores in Paris, mostly because of the store's sheer diversity.read more

Maintenant à 37 rue St Ambroise dans l'11ème Now at 37 rue…read moreSt Ambroise in the 11th Et maintenant plus grand que d'ailleurs Now bigger than ever. There are very few LGBTQ bookstore left anywhere in the world, and maybe only a city as large and as intellectually active as Paris can sustain one. Les mots à la bouche has everything a gay reader could wish: social theory and the history of drag, emerging queer novelists and the inspiring works of James Baldwin, Gertrude Stein, Edmund White, Jean Cocteau. It is the one indispensable stop for the queer traveler/ reader in Paris. Plenty of books in English, too. Afterwards you can go to Père Lachaise and drop in on Oscar Wilde. Dear Oscar. How he would have loved this shop. How he would have cruised the boys who come here

We looked up this place as an alternative to the over-crowded Shakespeare Book Store in Paris &…read morewere NOT disappointed! It's definitely VERY cozy inside, so best to watch out as you turn around in close quarters - especially if carrying a backpack or shoulder bag! The cellar is very cool, too and lots of books out on the sidewalk for anyone who doesn't appreciate the tight fit inside. ; ) As a former bookstore worker, this was a little slice of heaven for me - I had to be dragged out LOL

Such a fun English bookstore to stop by. It's every book lovers dream! They have all the different…read moregenres available and I could spent hours in there just exploring. The used books are definitely a bit cheaper. Must visit spot!

Cute tiny little book shop that is just inviting you to enter. Lot of fashion, arts, and other…read moregenre of books and magazine all stacked up. You have to squeeze past each other to look around but tats part of its charm. Defo worth a peek in.

I remember well going to this bookstore when i was in Paris in the late 1980s . The owner was…read moreextremely nice and knowledgeable. I wish I could be there now .

I love visiting bookstores while traveling, and Librairie Delamain was a good one, a lovely place…read morein the heart of tourist-facing Paris, on Rue St Honoré near the Louvre. I dropped in with my friends, one of whom wanted to buy French books for her children. I was just happy to browse. The store was attractive and welcoming, with a definite European bookstore charm. It was packed dense with books, on numerous display tables and climbing high on every wall. There was a cute dedicated room for children's books. I browsed the section of translated English language literature, and it was quite compact, a reminder that the world is large and not everyone cares what we Americans are doing at all times. (They did not carry my book, which has been translated into French. One of my friends very sweetly embarrassed me by asking. I found her with a polite lady who worked at the bookstore, the two of them looking at my face on a screen.) There were tons of cool coffee table books, which I enjoyed looking at in the absence of any French ability. I saw tons of art books, including one for the Rothko exhibition we were about to visit, and a great book about French drag. I was also amused by a Wes Anderson book tagged with a shelf talker that read, in French, "Perfect for fans of Wes Anderson!!" Anyway, I appreciated Librairie Delamain and would recommend it to anyone in search of books in this part of Paris. It's a beautiful store with a nice assortment of French books.

This is a wonderful bookstore that I visited during the last two years when I was in Paris. They…read morelisten to me patiently as I speak French and recommend books that I will enjoy reading and that are appropriate to my language level. I can't wait to visit them again when I return.

This store was a MUST visit when I decided on traveling to Paris. If you love Le Petit Prince by…read moreAntoine de Saint-Exupéry you will adore this magical little store! I think I spent half an hour looking at all the amazing Little Prince items. This little shop has books, journals, bookmarks, mugs, dishes, scarves, shirts, postcards, stuffed animals, bags, toys, figurines, cards, pictures, baby bibs, cookie cutters, key chains, onesies... Anything and everything Little Prince! The owner is super friendly and very nice to talk to. The music is calming, the shop is orderly and well stocked. This was the best store I've visited my whole trip in Europe! Next time I'm in Paris, I'll visit again for sure! I can't recommend this lovely little store highly enough- just visit you'll be so glad you did!

Whimsical and enduring! Great place to buy souvenirs and return to a lovely story! Remember!read more

It's a bookstore. It's a souvenir store…read more It's an agenda store. Really now - it's about everything! Gibert Joseph is a chain of stores that cater to those seeking books, souvenirs, and agendas. I mean, yes, they have other things, but these are the mains. We stepped in there because it was on the way. My companion was lacking souvenirs, and well, he thought I might find a worthwhile agenda in there. Turns out they had pretty bland-looking agendas and I wound up getting one back in the states. Still, their book selection floored me. They had floors upon floors on books and they had unique souvenirs. I only wish I had discovered this store sooner. I'd probably have bought some stuff there!

What a wonderland of books. This place is dangerously good and stocked with great books.read more

From the owner: Livres sur l'art et le design. Livres raresread more