A haven for bibliophiles, Shakespeare and Company Bookstore presents an English-language collection of eclectic secondhand books, as well as Sunday tea, literary readings, and writers' meetings. Sylvia Beach Whitman, the original owner's daughter, now runs the bookshop her father, George, started as "Le Mistral" in 1951. He later renamed the store to honor the original shop owned by Sylvia Beach from 1919 to 1940. The shop became (and still is) a haven for an unconventional literary culture, and was frequented by Beat writers, including Allen Ginsberg. Filled from floor to ceiling with titles, each small room has walls peppered with quotes and postcards. Upstairs, you'll find a writer's area with a typewriter, a labyrinth of rooms, and a piano. For the price of your life story written on a sheet of paper, you can sleep upstairs in one of the 13 beds run by the bookshop, called "Hotel Tumbleweed." To visit Shakespeare and Company Bookstore on your holiday in Paris, and find out what else Paris has to offer, use our Paris.
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Shakespeare and Company Bookstore reviews
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I LOVE bookstores, independent bookstores. And to visit Shakespeare and Company was a real delight and honour. The air in this store is just soaked with history, so many literary giants have spent..... more
I LOVE bookstores, independent bookstores. And to visit Shakespeare and Company was a real delight and honour. The air in this store is just soaked with history, so many literary giants have spent..... more »
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Really nice and cozy place with an interesting history. Nice staff! Free entry wich is great and I lived the reading room. Perfect for both gropes and solo travelers!
Really nice and cozy place with an interesting history. Nice staff! Free entry wich is great and I lived the reading room. Perfect for both gropes and solo travelers! more »
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A classic for a reason. Shakespeare and Co. is always such a joy to visit. Whether for a quick walk-through, or a long sit upstairs. It's a versatile space that allows its visitors to enjoy as they wish. There is a real sense of community with everyone who visits, works and loves it there. I will say that it can get quite busy, but that's only because of how great it truly is.
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Very old and rustic English bookstore...one all expats need to visit. I met quite a few interesting people writers, artists, and historians and was invited to a number of events around Paris. Well appreciated by everyone and a quaint little place of refuge for this large and imposing city of lights for any writer or artist searching for inspiration. Pop in for a visit next time you are nearby....you might be surprised who you bump into while there.
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