Exploring Paris: A Journey Through Its Most Charming Bookshops and Historic Library

If London feels like the centre of the rare book world, and if Dublin feels like Europe’s greatest repository of pubs, then Paris definitely feels like home to the greatest number of beautiful bookshops in one city. With an infinite range of styles, languages, and specialisations, there is something for everyone. My two-day stop in Paris on the scenic route home from London (see previous article) was just enough to get a taste, which I now share here.

L'écume des Pages

Located on Boulevard Saint-Germain, L'écume des Pages is a cozy haven for book enthusiasts that basks in the history-by-association of its neighbouring cafes - Flore and Deux Magots. Before the bookshop opened, Flore, Deux Magots, and the entire St. Germain area were hotbeds of intellectual and literary activity, hosting everyone from Sartre and Camus to de Beauvoir, Hemingway, and Joyce..

Galignani

Situated on Rue de Rivoli, Galignani claims to be the oldest English-language bookstore on the continent. Its elegant interior and wide selection of English and French books provide a refined browsing experience. However, it can feel a bit manicured—less about reading and more about the show, albeit a very pretty one.

Shakespeare & Co.

Near Notre-Dame, Shakespeare & Co. is an iconic English-language bookstore with a legendary history. Founded in 1919 by Sylvia Beach and reopened in 1951 by George Whitman, it attracted many expat writers, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Henry Miller. Today, although still an operational bookshop, bibliophiles are often outnumbered by tourists. Less known and more authentic is the rare books section, accessible through a separate entrance adjacent to the main shop.

Librairies Canal BD

Specializing in graphic novels and comics, Librairies Canal BD proves that literature extends beyond dusty tomes. At WoW Gstaad, we've long said that for literature to thrive, it must shed snobbery and embrace the substance of words and stories, regardless of form

Assouline

Assouline, a luxurious publisher, is known for its stunning coffee table books. The elegant setting and beautifully designed books at its St. Germain bookshop make it a visual delight for aesthetes. Assouline publications are perfect examples of books as art—there's nothing wrong with a bit of eye candy..

Smith & Son

I’ve always felt that Smith & Son, on Rue de Rivoli, is one of the under appreciated bookshops in Paris. This may be a result of its previous branding under the UK chain, W.H Smith, but today’s iteration as Smith & Son is a very different kettle.

It is staffed with knowledgeable, polite and bilingual staff, is well stocked and well laid out, and, best of all, offers a great reading spot in the upstairs café, occasionally featuring an afternoon piano player. It may not be as fancy as Galignani but it’s just as good.

Gibert Joseph

Gibert Joseph, on Boulevard Saint-Michel, was a new and inspiring discovery for me. It is huge, offering an extensive selection of new and second-hand books, extending to music records, and buying as well as selling second-hand books. Founded in 1888 primarily as a textbook outlet, it remains in family hands and epitomises the honourable role of providing affordable access to books.

Gallimard

The Librairie Gallimard on Boulevard Raspail, the flagship store of the renowned publishing house, offers a curated selection of literary works in a beautifully decorated environment, making it a perfect spot for browsing books.

The Bibliothèque Mazarine

I’ve saved the best discovery for last. Walking past this architectural gem, I noticed the words Academie Française (yes, the one) and detoured to explore further. There, located in the Institut de France, I found the Bibliothèque Mazarine, the oldest public library in France. To my amazement, visiting is free, and for a small fee (EUR 15 per year), anyone can access its grand reading room and rare manuscripts. You can simply walk into the oldest and most stunning library in Paris, take a seat at a desk, and study, write, read, or quietly research in peace.

Frankly, I’m tempted to move to Paris solely for its bookshops and the chance to use the Bibliothèque Mazarine.

Yours Deceptively,

Thomas (Co-Written with ChatGPT)

P.S. Look out for my next article, coming soon, on the role of Artificial Intelligence in writing.

Top Tip:

Visit Paris. Often.