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Shakespeare & Company
Bookstore
Sorbonne, Paris
"Lovely little bookshop, second home to Woody Allen and Hemingway"(11 Tips)
"famous writer."(12 Tips)
"Perfect place to buy many english books 😍"(8 Tips)
"I love this bookstore and the old typewriter and the piano upstairs."(4 Tips)
205 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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ivapetrov_June 20, 2016A place full of magic. Every single detail is a peace of art. A place, where you feel the incredible power of books, where you can read, write, breathe...a source of inspiration for book lovers.
Nora TaghaviApril 26, 2016Old typing machine in the second floor and the old seats were interesting,it was great to be there. Different books with variety of subjects.I like it and I bought the "Body electric " from C.E.Smith
Elizabeth LeeDecember 1, 2014A most quaint bookstore with its own pet cat to boot. Quality books sold here, as are antiquarian books. Look out for the ultra cosy poetry corner and piano on 2nd floor (u can play it if in the mood)Upvoted Mar 30
Eman AbdulazizAugust 3, 20151/Actually, this place was recommended to me by a friend. It's highly worth the visit. They have one of the largest selections of used and new English books in Paris.
LuckyNovember 1, 2017Most amazing English book store in Paris, cozy, a lil tight but always up to date, great events & lectures, normal prices, very friendly staff
Sharon P.March 8, 2015Full of whimsy and magic. This place is so worth it. Go for the poetry tea parties Sunday's 4-6. And, if you're lucky, someone brilliant will be playing the piano.
Caroline DengDecember 31, 2016Such a beautiful bookstore, and perfect if you want to spend a quiet afternoon reading. Very peaceful ambiance, and all the books are in English. No photos allowed but I took one anyways. :^)
George BronosSeptember 27, 2018My favorite bookshop by far. Well curated, helpful staff, killer location, and steeped in history. I daydream about writing a book while living upstairs or having my own Before Sunset rondez-vous.
Alice Blomberg WrangeSeptember 10, 2016Such an unbelievably beautiful place, especially for book lovers. It's a combined bookshop and library. Quiet place to sit down and have a nice read. All books are in English!
TravelByArtJuly 31, 2014Shakespeare & Company became a focal point for American writers living in Paris in 1920s. It's owner, Sylvia Beach provided patronage for many writers including Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce. Read more
Catherine Fortin-DubeNovember 12, 2014This place is heaven. The ambiance feels so warm and cozy. And the selection and service are just as equally great. Don't forget to get a look upstairs!
NancyDecember 23, 2015Books in English of all sorts and surprising genres. Library and piano upstairs with room for writers to sleep. Upstairs is where literary nights are held too. I always come here on a trip to Paris.
Jackie NapalanJanuary 3, 2018Historic bookstore. Writers such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald used to come here. Head upstairs for the piano and vintage typewriter. Open late.
Chris GMay 6, 2015You can get the shop's stamp on any book so that it can become an interesting souvenir of your trip.Visit the upper floor to see the view through the front window and pet the cat on the couch.
Hind ASeptember 27, 2019One of the most magical places I’ve ever been to. Don’t forget to get the tot bag it’s has a beautiful sketch giving you the perfect souvenir of the place.
Heinie Brian HartendorpJanuary 19, 2020Having to sit down on that iconic bench and go through the stores (separated by the rare books and the common selections), you just feel invigorated with the positive energy flowing here.
del aramApril 5, 2019enchanting and magical, left me astonished by the atmosphere. filled with english books of all kinds. also the staircase with the poem by hafiz,the whole 2nd floor with the piano and Aggie the cat- Eman AbdulazizAugust 3, 20152/It's a magical place; the smell of the books will make you go crazy. Their books are well-organized and have a huge variety of many things.
Budoor BaharethSeptember 25, 2018Love the staff and their recommendations! A bit expensive, and i wished they had more used books. By the way you CAN’T take pictures inside!!
Ayomi MichaelisMay 3, 2016I can spend my whole life in this little heaven!!!! I've got a bookgasm in this place. They have good books and old but homey, lovely vibe. Definitely must visit for booklovers.
Rasmus StoltzenbergSeptember 8, 2022Okay, wow! A yesteryear's bookshop, you just gotta see to believe. Filled wall-to-wall & floor to ceiling with books. The coolest are the reading rooms upstairs. No photos. Long queue to enter!- Bobby SolomonSeptember 15, 2019Perhaps the most famous independent bookstore in the world, Shakespeare and Company can feel like a literary utopia, where money takes a backseat and generations of writers have found a Paris home.
Hannah ChungAugust 17, 2019Favorite English language bookstore. Reading nooks at every turn! Picked up "All These Wonders" produced by The Moth here, in the poetry room. It's an anthology of true stories told in the 1st person.
Tanya VAugust 3, 2015One of the oldest bookstores that is both a little library. Both modern and antique books are on sale. Chill out for a moment and breathe in the history
Jeanette MaylandDecember 20, 2017This is not only the bloggers’ favourite but also a booklover’s! New and 2nd hand books in English
MonaNovember 18, 2016This part of Paris . And ofc this shop where The highlight of my citytrip . I loved The store . And The vibes . Only good !🙌🏽😻✨
Chris <M>July 18, 2019loved this place! go up and down and enjoy history and amazing books. Nice spot to hang around and chill.
Muire McCallionApril 12, 2015Do not miss this experience! A fabulous bookshop steeped in history. Make sure to visit Kitty (the shop cat), often curled up asleep on the rocking chair in the upstairs library. Beautiful.
Frankie RobertoDecember 15, 2014A famous English-language bookshop so popular there's often a queue to get in. Worth it to experience the densely-packed shelves and cozy library upstairs. No photography allowed – buy a book instead.
S WAugust 7, 2018The only English books store in Paris. Don’t forget to feel the cat 🐈 read a book 📖 and have a cup of tea🍵
Nick LeeNovember 5, 2013Location in Midnight in Paris. After finally splitting with Inez, Gil browses in Shakespeare and Company, 37 rue de la Bucherie (the bookshop starting point for Before Sunset).
Bardia K.November 25, 2018The definitive English bookstore of continental Europe. Historic yet cozy and comprehensive at the same time. Understandably busy.
Emily AndinoJanuary 7, 2019A very cool spot with a great English-language book selection and lots of cozy reading nooks.
Thomas CraenenFebruary 17, 2016When you love bookstores, this one tops the cake. Located in a historic building, crammed with books and aspiring writers. If you buy a book you can ask for the shop's stamp.
Sunny SombreroSeptember 7, 2014great shop! the book that I wanted was sold out ;-( but i've found a piece of paper in an old book. it was written: Some are Born to sweet delight, Some are Born to Endless Night. (W.Blake)
Aida CamposAugust 29, 2015this place is sooooo cute! The people are super nice and cool, a bit pricey but the novels look amazing and classic!
Social News NetworkJune 18, 2012Shakespeare and Company has an awesome selection of English language books. If you're traveling in Paris and need a good read, go to this place. The third floor has a lot of good plays.
Stacy Bo BacyApril 30, 2019If Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky are more real to you than your next door neighbor is, this place is for you. This store has rooms like chapters in a novel.
Bayan AlShebelJune 23, 2018A very cool place for books ❤️ buy a book and get it stamped by the Shakespeare & co stamp 👍🏼
Aleksandra VukovicDecember 8, 2015Wonderful experience! Go upstairs and read your own book in authentic and quiet environment or choose one from their shelves :)
NastyaJuly 24, 2017Selection of books in English makes a person who comes from Russia cry. And the cat. Amazing place.
Huda AlfarisSeptember 20, 2021What an amazing book store! Gets busy tho. Don’t forget to say hi to Aggie the cat
Mint ManorosJuly 6, 2017I love this bookstore atmosphere but on that day I would like to buy book but it was hard to take time for selected the book because too crowd .
Ovgu C. O.August 7, 2015Lovely bookshop. It's so close to Notre Damme Cathedral. Normally, it's not allowed to take photos inside but noone cares about it.
"Do like Hemingway & Fitzgerald did in their time..." A great idea, except that store closed 70 years ago on the rue de l'Odéon. George Whitman took the name after Sylvia Beach's death as a tribute.
Lena Van BergenMay 25, 2016PERFECT. Ask any questions about writing and by old to the staff, they are very open and friendly ☺️
Ieva AndrukaitytėDecember 17, 2016A famous landmark of the expat community. An interesting and varied selection of books in English and great guest events.
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Shakespeare and Company was opened in August 1951 by George Whitman. Since then, it has grown from a bookstore into an institution in the heart of Paris.
Open until 11:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 10:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
+33 1 43 71 47 22
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