A Guide to the 4 Best Independent Bookstores in Paris

吳秀杰

Shakespeare and Company： A Place of Literary Legends

At the gateway to the Latin Quarter and right across? ?the? ?Seine? ?from? Notre-Dame

Cathedral lies a place steeped in literary legends.

Opened in 1951 by George Whitman， the famous shop with the iconic green awning and outdoor terrace is now run by Whitmans daughter Sylvia. It was initially called “Le Mistral，” but the owner changed its named to honor the original shop run by publisher Sylvia Beach during the early 20th century. While the former was itself celebrated for hosting and publishing novelists such as James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway， its successor has become just? as? important? as? a? center? for? English-

speaking writers and literature lovers in Paris.

Inside， narrow， uneven wooden shelves are stacked with countless volumes of literature and non-fiction in English， from bestsellers to eclectic and rare titles. You can often see （and pet， if you wish） cats napping on the display tables or around the cash register.

Staff members—often resident writers， or “tumbleweeds，” who lodge in the rooms upstairs—are generally friendly and helpful， eager to make recommendations， or help you to find something in particular. This is also a great place to enjoy free readings and book signings from noted authors; check the events schedule ahead of your trip to see if any interest you.

The Red Wheelbarrow： For Small Press Books & a Friendly Vibe

After having closed for several years， this beloved independent bookseller re-opened in a different location in 2018， to the delight of bibliophiles① in the French capital. Named after the eponymous poem from William Carlos Williams， the shop is a favorite among English-native writers， editors， and others working in the literary field.

The shop， located right across from the leafy Luxembourg Garden in the Latin Quarter， offers a curated but generous range of classic and contemporary literature in English. Its also a great place to head when youre looking for childrens books in French and English， cookbooks， or more specialized tomes on literary theory， poetry， history， or politics. It stocks a large number of books from small and independent presses， too， making it a good pick for more discerning readers. Readings here are intimate and memorable.

Galignani： Paris Oldest English-Language Bookshop

Claiming to be the oldest English-language bookshop in continental Europe， this elegant， airy librairie （in French librarie means book- store， not library） is situated on Rue de Rivoli， just across from the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Gardens. First opened in 1801 by a Venetian publisher， Galignani is beloved for its wide selection of books in both English and French， from fiction to non-fiction and history. The shop is also mainly specialized in fine arts and design. The current location on Rue de Rivoli has been open since 1856.

The friendly staff is bilingual and happy to assist you with finding a particular book or making recommendations， whatever your bookwormish heart may currently desire.

La Librairie du Passage： For Art Books & Antiquarian Findings

If its art or antique books youre after， this historic bookshop in one of Paris ornate② covered passageways is an excellent place to start looking. Right next door to the odd Parisian wax museum， Grévin， La Librairie du Passage Gribaudo-Vandamme sells both new and old volumes， with a particular focus on the visual arts， architecture and ancient tomes. It partners with the nearby Drouot auction house to sell its rarest and most valuable acquisitions.

The shop， run by a small but passionate staff of experts， makes new acquisitions frequently. Its a beautiful place to browse， get inspired， or make a purchase， whether youre adding to your collection or seeking an unusual gift for a book or art enthusiast.

注：① bibliophiles 愛書者，藏書家

② ornate 裝飾華麗的