The City of Light, Paris, is a fabric of secrets and stories waiting to be discovered. There is a more peaceful side to this enchanted city, an undercurrent of literary beauty that says through its winding streets and hidden corners, even as its famous sites, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, bring millions of tourists yearly.
English Bookstores in Paris These hidden gems are more than simply bookstores for book lovers; they’re havens where the odors of worn books mix with those of neighboring cafés, luring readers to escape into realms created by words.
This article will guide you through ten outstanding English-language bookstores in Paris. These hidden gems are just waiting for you to find them and frequently go unnoticed by casual visitors.
10 English Bookstores You Can Find in Paris
No 1 Shakespeare & Company
Shakespeare & Company is an artistic haven and a light of literary history hidden away in the center of Paris. Established by Sylvia Beach in 1919, this famous bookstore was a refuge for foreign authors and was essential to the spread of modernist literature. Its bookshelves were the haven for many well-known writers, such as Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce, who turned the little room into an explosion for ideas and discussion. The store invites customers to immerse themselves in an inspiring environment as it celebrates its history today.
Sylvia was taken into custody and held for six months; unfortunately, her health prevented her from reopening the bookstore after her release.
But while she worked at the bookstore, she entertained some of the greatest writers of all time, like Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce.
George established a special custom that permits aspiring writers, known as “tumbleweeds,” to reside among its bookshelves in exchange for a few hours of labor daily, a daily book read, and completing a one-page history.
Thousands of people have attended this event, including well-known figures like Geoffrey Rush and Ethan Hawke.
Now that George Whitman’s daughter Sylvia Whitman has assumed control, she has carried on the organization’s literary tradition by organizing regular activities such as writers’ seminars, Sunday tea parties, and weekly gatherings that showcase diverse writers. The bookshop has also launched programs, including the Paris Literary Prize for unpublished novellas and the FestivalandCo literary festival.
📍Address: 37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris
No 2 Librairie Jousseaume
I’ve added it to the list even though it’s not an English bookstore because it does feature a sizable English language section.
Founded in 1826, it’s also among the oldest bookstores in the city. It’s tucked away in the Galerie Vivienne, a covered path renowned for its neoclassical statues, mosaic-tiled floor, and historical monument designation.
The bookstore’s original name, Librairie Petit-Siroux, is above the window.
It has been in the family since François Jousseaume’s great-grandfather inherited it in 1890.
There are two businesses across the passage instead of just one, and the layout suggests an old-fashioned study with worn furniture, a bookshelf full of books, and a bright lamp that leads to the environment.
The only Company in the gallery to have survived Baron Haussmann’s 19th-century urban reconstruction efforts is the bookstore, which has been run by the Jousseaume family since 1900.
📍Address: 45-46-47 Gal Vivienne, 75002 Paris
No 3 Librairie Galignani
Dating back to the early 16th century, Librairie Galignani is another charming bookstore with a lengthy history. It is the oldest English-language bookstore in continental Europe.
The Galignani family, originally from Italy, was among the first to adopt the printing press, which completely changed how books were distributed.
Among their significant works are a Latin grammar book published in 1520 and the very popular “Geografia” by PTOLEMAUS, published in 1597.
After moving to 224 Rue de Rivoli in 1856, the bookstore has prospered ever since.
Galignani was banned from selling English-language books during the Second World War and the Nazi occupation, but this didn’t stop him from continuing to do so covertly. To avoid difficulties, he publicly switched his attention to fine art publications.
📍Address: 224, rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris
No 4 Smith & Son Paris (Formerly WH Smith)
Smith & Son is a colorful reworking of the legendary WH Smith brand, which can be found in the center of Paris. The shop has become a well-liked gathering place for book lovers because of its beautiful exterior and inviting atmosphere that appeals to locals and visitors. It celebrates global authorship and offers a carefully chosen selection of books ranging from timeless classics to current top sellers appealing to a wide range of tastes. Every visit to the shelves feels like a literary treasure hunt as tales lurk there, just waiting to be uncovered.
The Neal Brothers owned the business when it opened as Neal’s Library in the 1870s. In 1903, it joined the WHSmith network. It was the chain’s first international location, and because of its success, the business had to grow by 1908.
It was a favorite for Parisians who wished to partake in the custom of British teatime. Unfortunately, the store turned into a Nazi propaganda outlet during World War II, and all of the employees were fired.
Though the tearoom didn’t reopen until 1950 after Paris was freed, WHSmith regained control, and the bookstore began normalizing.
For the first time since 1944, it closed in 2021 for renovations and returned under the new name, Smith & Son.
📍Address: 248 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
No 5 Brentano’s
Founded by August Brentano in 1853 as a stand outside the New York Hotel, Brentano’s was well-known for being the first to import newspapers from London and other English cities, serving affluent hotel patrons.
Several locations in New York, plus lone storefronts in Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Paris, made Brentano’s the biggest book chain in the United States by 1928.
American expats loved the 1887 opening of Brentano’s S.A., a popular store on the Avenue de l’Opéra in Paris. It was forced to close during World War II, just like most bookstores that sold literature in the English language.
Unfortunately, the Paris location closed in 2009. However, Iranian businessman Farock Sharifi eventually purchased and revived the store in 2010; it is currently a bookstore and gift shop.
📍Address: 37 Av. de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris
No 6 The Abbey Bookshop
The Abbey Bookshop, a living fabric of culture and telling stories, is more than simply a haven for book lovers; it’s tucked away in the bustling center of the Latin District. This quaint bookstore is a true treasure trove for locals and visitors because of its unique selection, spanning various genres and languages. Every corner you turn in its tight passageways yields an amazing collection of rare books, from new independent publications to old first editions, beckoning readers to discover undiscovered stories just waiting to be discovered.
The atmosphere at The Abbey Bookshop is almost as charming. With the calming smell of brewing coffee and aged paper, its comfortable reading areas invite guests to forget themselves in the moment. The area is regularly transformed into a dynamic hub where ideas blossom through literary events and spirited discussions, mirroring Paris’s illustrious literary past and providing contemporary perspectives with a platform.
When Canadian Brian Spence opened the store in the famed Latin Quarter in 1989, it soon became a gathering place for Anglophones, Canadians, and Anglophiles worldwide.
This lovely environment enhances the attraction, and you’ll pull out your phone to snap pictures.
The collection of more than 40,000 books is a diverse blend of literary classics and scholarly works, with a notable proportion of Canadian titles, not unexpected.
📍Address: 29 Rue de la Parcheminerie, 75005 Paris
No 7 The Red Wheelbarrow
The poem of the same name by William Carlos Williams, which expresses the notion that “so much depends upon” something else, inspired the store’s name, “The Red Wheelbarrow.”
The Red Wheelbarrow is a relatively recent English bookshop on the list, founded by Penelope Fletcher in 2001.
She started selling books at a young age and, at 19, opened a used bookstore on Hornby Island. She remained there until 1990, when she relocated to Paris.
William Carlos Williams’ poem “The Red Wheelbarrow” is painfully simple but extremely powerful. Its picture might appear simple at first: a red wheelbarrow covered in rainwater and surrounded by white chickens. But this simple style draws attention to the beauty of everyday items and frequently overlooked moments. Readers are prompted to stop and enjoy the ordinary by the spectacular scene created when the vivid color contrasts with the soft texture of the rain-soaked surroundings.
The Red Wheelbarrow opened at 13 rue Charles V in the Marais and moved to 22 rue Saint Paul in 2003 due to personal difficulties; Fletcher had to close the store and spend two years returning to Canada.
2018 was reborn, with a new location at No. 9 rue de Medicis, next to the Luxembourg Garden.
📍Address: 11 rue de Medicis, 75006 Paris
No 8 San Francisco Book Company
The San Francisco Book Company, located in the Latin Quarter and offering a wide range of categories from food to children’s literature, theatre, cinema, and more, is another relative newcomer formed in 1997.
Although it also has a limited range of new books, the store is well recognized for its enormous selection of used English literature.
More than just a bookshop, San Francisco Book Company is a haven for bookworms and casual readers alike. This hidden jewel, which lies in the middle of the city, offers a unique selection of new and rare books that appeal to readers of all lines, from literary experts to those looking for their next great read. With styles ranging from obscure poetry to ground-breaking graphic novels, each shelf tells a tale and creates an atmosphere where unexpected discoveries can be found around every corner.
📍Address: 17 rue Monsieur le Prince, 75006 Paris
No 9 Taschen
Benedikt Taschen started Taschen as a little comic book publishing business in Cologne in 1980.
The publisher became well-known by providing mainstream bookstores with rarely seen artwork.
Located in the center of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Taschen bookstore in Paris is the German publishing house’s first branded store.
The exquisite yet understated gallery, designed by Philippe Starck, houses various magazines, including those on art photography, painting, design, fashion, advertising history, film, and architecture.
📍Address: 2 rue de Buci, 75006 Paris
Some More Information About English Bookstores in Paris
No 10 The Bouquinistes of Paris (The Book Sellers of the Seine)
The bouquinistes, tucked away along the Seine, are more than just book dealers—they are the keepers of literary history in Paris. With their worn spines and expanded contents, these green boxes provide a window into the past; each book tells a tale woven into the city’s fabric. Whether it’s a beloved classic or an out-of-print gem waiting to be found, each book is filled with memories. As you walk past these stalls, pause to appreciate what’s on offer and left unsaid.
Known for their distinctive green stalls, these well-known bookstores have been a part of Parisian culture for generations, developing together with the city’s illustrious literary past.
The word “bouquiniste,” which comes from the Flemish word “breaking,” which means “small book,” was originally included in the Académie française dictionary in 1762.
With the opening of Pont-Neuf at the start of the 17th century, booksellers’ presence along the Seine rose dramatically, and they moved their books using wheelbarrows.
The bouquinistes’ commerce was formalized in 1859 when the Parisian government required shopping at certain locations along the Seine and gave each merchant ten meters of the railing.
In 1930, the bouquinistes’ green metal boxes were standardized in appearance and proportions.
With a small area dedicated to tourist items, some 220 bouquinistes operate 900 boxes along the Seine that are authorized to sell used books, periodicals, engravings, and postcards.
📍Address: Stretching for around 3 kilometers between Pont Marie and Quai du Louvre on the Right Bank and from Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire on the Left Bank.
The Hidden Gem – Librairie L’Eau Et Les Rêves
Visit Librairie L’Eau Et Les Rêves, located on a barge, if you’re looking for something unique few people know about.
A bookstore floating on a barge—what’s not to love? While the selection of books isn’t as extensive as it once was, the location is incredibly lovely and ideal for creating your Instagram feed.
Cyrille’s proprietor has converted it from a marine bookstore to a cozy café-restaurant and botanical library.
The bookshop specializes in books with a natural theme, including DIY subjects like permaculture and natural cosmetics and subjects like gardens, ecology, and forests.
Various events include exchanges, book signings, exhibitions, eco-friendly courses, author gatherings, and plant sales.
📍Address: 9 quai de l’Oise, 75019 Paris
FAQS: English Bookshops in Paris
Does Paris have English bookstores?
Yes, Paris has several English bookstores catering to locals and tourists looking for books in English.
What is the oldest English bookstore in Paris?
Shakespeare and Company is the oldest English bookstore in Paris. It is located at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, close to Notre Dame Cathedral. Sylvia Beach established Shakespeare and Company in 1919.
What English bookstore is across from Notre Dame?
The English bookshop Shakespeare and Company is situated across from Notre Dame. Located on the Seine’s Left Bank, it provides breathtaking cathedral views. It is a well-liked destination for English-language book lovers looking for a literary experience in a historic environment.
What is the first English bookstore in France?
Galignani’s, established in 1801, is considered the first English bookstore in France. In 1520, it was first used as a printing press before becoming a bookstore. Galignani’s is renowned for its vast variety of English-language books and rich history. It holds the distinction of being the first English bookstore on the European continent.
Final thoughts: Finding an English Bookstore in Paris
Visiting a few of these well-known bookshops should be on the list, no matter how long you stay in Paris. It’s the ideal activity during the colder months, like March.
Paris never fails to amaze, from its iconic landmarks, such as the Louvre Museum, the magnificent Opera Garnier, and the Iron Lady, to its charming and historic streets.
Saint-Germain-Des-Prés is my favorite area for booksellers because it is where the literary greats congregated, and Ernest Hemingway frequented the Cafe des Magots.