Paris is a city that breathes literature. From Voltaire to Hemingway, generations of writers have found inspiration in its cafés ☕, boulevards 🌸, and quiet bookshops 📖. For travelers who adore the scent of old pages and the hum of literary history, the French capital is a paradise. Every corner seems to hide a bookstore with its own story, whether that’s a centuries-old English-language shop near the Seine 🌉 or a modern art bookstore tucked into the Marais. Here’s your extended, in-depth guide to the best bookstores in Paris, crafted especially for book-loving tourists seeking to explore the city through its most poetic spaces. ✨
1. Shakespeare and Company (5th Arrondissement) 🏰
📍 Address: 37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005
📚 Languages: English (some French titles)
🌟 Why Visit: A literary landmark with history, charm, and creative energy.
No list of Parisian bookstores would be complete without the iconic Shakespeare and Company. Founded by George Whitman in 1951, this shop became a home-away-from-home for countless writers, poets, and dreamers. The building itself feels alive—narrow staircases, handwritten notes, old typewriters, and beds tucked among the books for young writers who stay there in exchange for work. You’ll often find travelers browsing vintage titles, couples whispering lines of poetry, and artists sketching outside on the cobblestones. 🎨
The bookstore also houses a literary café ☕ next door, serving excellent coffee, pastries, and vegan-friendly treats. Events like poetry readings and book launches bring the community together weekly. Whether you’re an avid reader or a casual visitor, Shakespeare and Company is more than a store—it’s a piece of Paris’s soul. ❤️ Pick up a stamped tote bag or one of their exclusive editions to take a piece of literary magic home.
2. Librairie Galignani (1st Arrondissement) 🪶
📍 Address: 224 rue de Rivoli, 75001
📚 Languages: English & French
🌟 Why Visit: Europe’s first English-language bookstore, radiating sophistication.
Stepping into Galignani is like entering an elegant library from another era. Founded in 1801, it was the first English bookstore established on the European continent. High wooden shelves stretch toward the ceiling, and sunlight streams through large windows facing the Tuileries Garden 🌿. It’s a place of calm refinement—perfect for literary contemplation after a stroll through the Louvre or Jardin des Tuileries. 🖼️
The collection includes both English and French titles, with entire sections devoted to art, photography, fashion, and architecture. You’ll find gorgeous coffee-table books, finely bound editions, and an exceptional selection of world literature. The staff are known for their deep knowledge and warm professionalism—always ready to recommend something special. Galignani is a sanctuary for readers who love quiet elegance and timeless Parisian grace. 💫
3. Smith & Son (formerly WHSmith, 1st Arrondissement) 🇬🇧
📍 Address: 248 rue de Rivoli, 75001
📚 Languages: English & French
🌟 Why Visit: The largest English-language bookstore in Paris with a British flair.
A few steps from Galignani lies Smith & Son, a bright and bustling English bookstore that’s been serving expats and travelers for generations. This multi-level shop offers everything from bestsellers and travel guides 🌍 to cookbooks and stationery ✏️. The children’s section upstairs is among the best in the city, filled with colorful stories and illustrated classics.
But what makes Smith & Son truly special is its tearoom 🍰 on the upper floor. Here, you can sip a pot of English breakfast tea ☕ while reading overlooking Rue de Rivoli—a rare treat in the heart of Paris. The store also sells British snacks, teas, and souvenirs, offering a cozy touch of London in the City of Light. It’s a must for anyone craving a dose of home comfort and great reads. 💂♂️
4. The Red Wheelbarrow Bookshop (6th Arrondissement) ❤️📗
📍 Address: 11 rue de Médicis, 75006
📚 Languages: English
🌟 Why Visit: A modern literary haven across from the Luxembourg Gardens.
Named after the famous William Carlos Williams poem, The Red Wheelbarrow has a devoted following among locals and travelers alike. Its sky-blue storefront is instantly recognizable 💙, and inside you’ll find a carefully curated selection of literary fiction, poetry, philosophy, and art books. The staff are friendly and often strike up passionate conversations about new releases or hidden gems.
Its prime location facing the Luxembourg Gardens 🌸 makes it perfect for a relaxed morning browse followed by an afternoon of reading in the park. The shop also supports local authors and regularly organizes readings and book-signings. Small, soulful, and welcoming—this is the kind of bookstore that reminds you why people still love printed books. 📘
5. The Abbey Bookshop (5th Arrondissement) ☕📖
📍 Address: 29 rue de la Parcheminerie, 75005
📚 Languages: English (some French)
🌟 Why Visit: A hidden gem for secondhand and rare treasures. 💎
Down a quiet street in the Latin Quarter, The Abbey Bookshop feels like an explorer’s attic—stacked floor to ceiling with books of every genre imaginable. Owned by a Canadian named Brian Spence 🇨🇦, the shop welcomes visitors with free coffee and a smile. You’ll find everything from out-of-print novels to philosophical essays and travel memoirs. Some customers claim the store has its own magical scent—a mix of old paper, adventure, and history. 🕰️
Its labyrinthine layout, complete with narrow aisles and precarious stacks, makes every visit an adventure. This is the kind of place where you might go in looking for a Hemingway novel and emerge with an 1800s travelogue about Egypt. It’s delightfully chaotic, wonderfully authentic, and an absolute must for bibliophiles. ✨
6. San Francisco Book Company (6th Arrondissement) 🌉
📍 Address: 17 rue Monsieur-le-Prince, 75006
📚 Languages: English
🌟 Why Visit: A classic used bookstore with student charm. 🎓
If you’re wandering near the Sorbonne or the Cluny Museum, stop by the San Francisco Book Company. It’s small but packed with affordable books 💰, making it a favorite among students and travelers. Their shelves are neatly labeled, offering fiction, philosophy, art, and travel guides. The staff love chatting about literature and often help visitors find the perfect gift or forgotten classic. 🎁
Its welcoming energy and focus on secondhand books make it ideal for travelers on a budget or anyone who enjoys the thrill of discovery. Many visitors say it feels like stepping into a San Francisco bookstore from the 1970s—relaxed, a little nostalgic, and full of stories waiting to be told. 🌼
7. Librairie du Marais (4th Arrondissement) 🖼️
📍 Address: 89 rue Saint-Antoine, 75004
📚 Languages: French & English
🌟 Why Visit: A visual feast for design and art lovers. 🎨
Nestled in the trendy Marais district, Librairie du Marais caters to creative minds. Its clean, minimalist aesthetic perfectly complements the art and photography books lining the shelves. You’ll find volumes on fashion, architecture, and contemporary art that look as beautiful as they read. The bookstore’s carefully designed interior invites quiet browsing, with soft lighting and gallery-like displays. 🏛️
It’s within walking distance of Place des Vosges, so it’s easy to combine with a café break ☕ or museum visit. Even if you don’t read French, the visual nature of the books makes it worth visiting. It’s one of the best places in Paris to buy elegant coffee-table books or gifts that capture the city’s creative spirit. 💐
8. Le Bon Marché Bookshop (7th Arrondissement) 💎📚
📍 Address: 24 rue de Sèvres, 75007
📚 Languages: French & English
🌟 Why Visit: A luxurious, art-inspired bookstore beneath a glass ceiling. 🌤️
Inside the legendary Le Bon Marché department store lies one of Paris’s most beautiful literary spaces. Bathed in natural light under a 19th-century glass roof, this bookstore is both elegant and inspiring. Its curated selection includes fine art, fashion, architecture, and culinary books—each displayed like a work of art. 🍷
Pair your visit with lunch at La Grande Épicerie, the store’s famous gourmet market. It’s an unforgettable experience that combines literature, design, and French gastronomy—a perfect day for any traveler with refined tastes. 🥐
9. La Mouette Rieuse (4th Arrondissement) 🕊️
📍 Address: 17 bis rue Pavée, 75004
📚 Languages: French (some English)
🌟 Why Visit: A creative, family-friendly bookshop-café. 👨👩👧👦
Bright, colorful, and filled with joy, La Mouette Rieuse is one of Paris’s newest and most vibrant bookstores. Spread across several floors, it offers a mix of literature, art books, and an entire section for children. The ground-floor café serves fresh pastries 🥐 and coffee ☕, while the upper levels host workshops, exhibitions, and reading corners. 📚
It’s located in the heart of the Marais, surrounded by chic boutiques and galleries. The bookstore’s name means “The Laughing Seagull,” and it lives up to its cheerful vibe. It’s the kind of space where locals come to relax, read, and recharge—a refreshing blend of literature and lifestyle. 🌈
10. Les Bouquinistes (Along the Seine, 4th–6th Arrondissements) 🌉📚
📍 Address: Banks of the Seine between Pont Marie & Pont du Carrousel
📚 Languages: French & English
🌟 Why Visit: Paris’s open-air book market—an experience like no other. ☀️
Wandering along the Seine, you’ll see rows of iconic green boxes perched on the river walls. These are the stalls of the bouquinistes, independent booksellers who’ve been part of Parisian culture since the 16th century. Their boxes hold everything from rare prints and antique books to modern novels, postcards, and vintage magazines. 🗺️
Exploring the bouquinistes is a sensory experience—the scent of paper mingles with the sound of the river and the chatter of passersby. It’s especially magical at sunset 🌇 when the sky glows pink over Notre-Dame. Even if you don’t buy anything, simply browsing these boxes connects you to centuries of literary tradition. Bring cash and time—every stall hides a story. 💚
11. Chantelivre (7th Arrondissement) 🧸📖
📍 Address: 30 rue Las Cases, 75007
📚 Languages: French (some bilingual children’s books)
🌟 Why Visit: A wonderland of stories for kids and families. 🌈
Founded in 1974, Chantelivre was France’s first bookstore devoted entirely to children. Today it remains a must-visit for families, offering colorful shelves of picture books, graphic novels, and educational games. The design is whimsical—low tables, soft lighting, and small reading corners that encourage curiosity. Weekly storytime sessions bring fairy tales to life for children of all ages. 👧📘
Parents can browse the adult section or sip a coffee nearby while their kids explore. Close to the Eiffel Tower 🗼, it’s a delightful stop before or after sightseeing. Chantelivre captures the magic of reading at its purest—joyful, imaginative, and inclusive. 💖
Final Thoughts 💭✨
Paris isn’t just a city of light—it’s a city of stories. From the nostalgic corridors of Shakespeare and Company to the chic minimalism of Librairie du Marais, each bookstore reveals a different side of Parisian culture. Whether you’re searching for a vintage treasure, a modern art volume, or simply a quiet place to rest and read, these bookstores promise unforgettable moments. 🌠
So next time you visit Paris, slow down. Step off the tourist trail and into a bookshop. You might not just find a book—you might find a story that stays with you forever. ❤️📚