Between its poets and philosophers, novelists and playwrights, this city is a historic melting pot of famous thinkers and revolutionary ideas. Paris is a bibliophile’s paradise. Of course, there are bookshops on almost every corner and you’ll be spoiled for choice – but here are a few of our favorites. When you need a little more to the book shopping experience than simply wandering in and picking up the latest bestseller or an old favorite, seek out these 7 most beautiful bookstores in Paris — they’re the most beautiful in the city.
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Librarie Galignani was the first English bookshop established on the continent in 1801. Galignani is located close to Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement, and it has a good selection of both English and French literature, and history. You can also find a range of books about fashion, design, travel, and interior design written, again in both languages.
Staying in Paris for a certain period of time and need to read something in English? Stroll along the Odéon area and you’ll find this hidden gem: they sell second-hand English books and the bookstore is just so cosy! You’ll find yourself indulging among the vintage books, or talk to the very friendly staff for recommendations. This bookstore is definitely one of the 7 most beautiful bookstores in Paris.
This beautifully decorated vintage Paris bookstore is situated at the Galerie Vivienne; not only is it attractive for its quaint aura but also it’s a great place to hunt for some old books or hard-covered books to bring home with. Their outdoor collection is easily sorted by alphabets, with some great postcard stands that you can pick some cute cards to send to your beloved ones. Buy a book and enjoy some perfect French wine at Legrand wine cellar just next-door, like a local Parisian!
If your French level is good enough for lots of reading, this Paris bookstore will surely be your paradise! The whole shop just sells used books at incredibly cheap price from 1€ or 2€ to even a couple of cents. You’ll always find French people spending the whole afternoon here having their head buried among the books! What a fulfillment taking home a bunch of books with such a low price!
In 1989, Brian Spence, who hails from Toronto, crossed the Atlantic to bring his Abbey Bookshop to an international audience. The Abbey Bookshop in Paris’s Latin Quarter has for the last twenty years become a cultural epicenter for Canadians, Anglophones and Anglophiles from all corners of the world. Although offering a wide variety of Canadian books, its main attraction is an eclectic collection of over 35,000 titles in English ranging from scholarly to popular literature.
The Librairie Le Feu Follet has brought together a selection of untraceable and precious books, manuscripts, autographed books, in all areas of knowledge: Literature, Science, History, Religion, Travel… Definitely one of the most beautiful bookstores in Paris.
Known since 1903, the Smith & Son bookstore is now completely renovated by the Lonsdale agency. Located a stone’s throw from the Tuileries Garden, the Anglo-Saxon Smith & Son bookstore offers book lovers a whole new space while retaining traces of the past. In the center of the bookstore, a warm bench with an English floral print invites you to sit down and browse the books freely. Redesigned in an ultra contemporary spirit, The English Place to Be in Paris, is a plural place: at the same time bookstore, international grocery store, stationery and tearoom.
