THE 13 MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKSTORES IN PARIS
Bookstores in Paris are a real treasure for lovers of literature, fashion and art. Wonderoute selected the city’s 13 leading bookstores. Whether you’re looking for a book on design, a classic, a special cookbook or just want to wander between the pages, these bookstores offer an unforgettable literary experience in Paris.
LIBRAIRIE FONDATION AZZEDINE ALAÏA
In tribute to Azzedine Alaïa’s passion for books and artists, the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa opened a bookstore in the courtyard of 18, rue de la Verrerie in Le Marais. The address where Tunisian-born fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa himself lived and worked and where he chose to establish his Fondation Azzedine Alaïa. He established this to protect his work and art collection and hold exhibitions.
Alaïa’s life was constantly filled with fashion, art, design, architecture, music and theater. The selection in the bookstore reflects these passions of Alaïa. Remarkably, the store is decorated and furnished with pieces from Alaïa’s own collection. The etagere on which the books are displayed is a design by Jean Prouvé, as are the ceiling lamp and the two tables. The large rectangular tables in the center are made of marble tops that Alaïa discovered at a fish market, and on the wall hangs a beautiful portrait of Azzedine Alaïa painted by by Julian Schnabel.
At the end of the courtyard is a large exhibition hall with an imposing high glass roof where changing exhibitions are held. It is definitely advisable to keep an eye on the website to see what exhibitions are taking place. Librairie de Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, 18 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris.
SHAKESPEARE & CO
Shakespeare & Co is an English-language bookstore in quartier latin with a rich history. Since its opening in 1951, it has been a meeting place for English-language writers and readers. Great names in literature such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and James Joyce came here regularly.
From the first day the Shakespeare & Co opened, writers, artists and intellectuals were welcome to stay overnight at the store. After closing time, small beds were placed among the bookshelves. An estimated 30,000 writers and artists have stayed here overnight. An overnight stay was in exchange for help in the store and a one-page written autobiography. Thousands of these autobiographies now form an impressive archive that captures the stories of generations of writers and travelers. Shakespeare & Co, 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris.
LIBRAIRIE GALIGNANI
The Librairie Galignani has been in a beautiful location opposite the Tuileries Gardens since 1856. You will find a wide range of both French-language and English-language books. I love coming there for the beautiful photo books of architecture, art, design and fashion. But also for cookbooks and books about the city of Paris. Librairie Galignani, 224 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.
SMITH & SON
So a few hundred meters from Librairie Galignani is the WH Smith bookstore. The address in Paris for English literature. In addition to novels, you’ll find the largest selection of English-language magazines and newspapers in Paris. WH Smith, 248 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.
OFR
Definitely a favorite address in Le Marais is OFR. A small store with an inspiring collection of magazines and books on design, fashion, architecture and photography. Besides this, I like to walk in for the gallery at the back of the store, which features affordable art by upcoming artists. OFR, 20 Rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003 Paris.
ASSOULINE
Assouline is a publisher of luxury photo books on architecture, art, design, fashion, gastronomy, lifestyle, photography and travel. All books to dream away at. They have a line that highlights 1 place in each book, from Ibiza to Capri, Marrakech and Paris. In the heart of Saint Germain, not far from the église Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the boutique of this exclusive publisher. Assouline, 35 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris.
LIBRAIRIE 7L
Not far from Assouline is another bookstore you can add directly to your list. The store 7L, founded in December 1999 by none other than Karl Lagerfeld. 7L specializes in books on photography, design and architecture and offers a wide selection of catalogs and monographs devoted to fashion. Also added to this selection is a wide selection of books on gardens, landscapes and cookbooks. And alongside this, books published by Karl Lagerfeld as author or editor under the 7L trademark. Librairie 7L, Rue de Lille, 75007 Paris.
LIBRAIRIE GOURMANDE
The address for cooking enthusiasts. A store specializing in cooking and wine books. Here you will find the largest selection within this Paris category. Librairie Gourmande, 92-96 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris.
LIBRAIRIE JOUSSEAUME
Librairie Jousseaume established itself in 1826 in the most beautiful covered passage in Paris, the Galerie Vivienne in the second arrondissement. The bookstore is not large and consists of 2 stores facing each other, furnished with dark wood bookcases and a beautiful old wooden law staircase. A store where old books come together with more recent books, all secondhand. Famous French writers such as Cocteau, Colette and Aragon came here regularly. Librairie Jousseaume, 45-46-47 Galerie Vivienne, 75002 Paris.
LIBRAIRIE DU PASSAGE
Librairie Jousseaume established itself in 1826 in the most beautiful covered passage in Paris, the Galerie Vivienne in the second arrondissement. The bookstore is not large and consists of 2 stores facing each other, furnished with dark wood bookcases and a beautiful old wooden law staircase. A store where old books come together with more recent books, all secondhand. Famous French writers such as Cocteau, Colette and Aragon came here regularly. Librairie Jousseaume, 45-46-47 Galerie Vivienne, 75002 Paris.
HALLE SAINT PIERE
At the foot of Montmartre is the Halle Saint Pierre. This space once served as a market hall and now houses a museum, gallery, bookstore, auditorium and café. Temporary exhibitions and numerous artistic and cultural activities devoted to some more raw modern art are presented here. The bookstore specializes in artists’ books and works related to all forms of contemporary art and creation. Halle Saint Pierre, 2 Rue Ronsard, 75018 Paris.
LIBRAIRIE DU PALAIS DE TOKYO
The bookstore at the Palais de Tokyo Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art offers one of the largest collections of books on art in Paris. There is an international selection of books and magazines, as well as gift items, books for children and items related to Palais de Tokyo’s exhibitions.
BOUQUINISTES DE PARIS
The most traditional to end this list with are the Bouquinistes de Paris, the booksellers on the Seine who run the famous green and wooden bookstalls. A 3-kilometer walk along the Seine will take you past 900 bookstalls. Selling books on the Seine is an age-old tradition. Beginning in 1891, the City of Paris allowed booksellers to leave their merchandise overnight at their assigned outlet.
Book sellers are passionate and often experts in their field. For example, there are specialized stalls with detectives, comics, science fiction, philosophy, as well as old posters, prints and stamps. The Bouquinistes are located from the right bank of the Pont Marie to the Quai du Louvre and on the left bank from the Quai de la Tournelle to the Quai Malaquais. An insanely beautiful walk where you will pass many impressive monuments and sites of the city, the Louvre, the Institut de France, the Saint-Michel Fountain, Pont des Arts, Notre-Dame, the City Hall Hôtel de Ville, the Conciergerie and the islands of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis. The map below shows the route in green.
