English Book Shops in Paris
The Abbey Bookshop
29 Rue de la Parcheminerie, 5th
M° St-Michel or Cluny-La Sorbonne
Tel 01 46 33 16 24
Canadian expat Brian Spence runs this independent bookshop specializing in new and used books from Canada (in French and English), the UK and the US . He’ll be happy to help you navigate the densely stacked shelves (on two floors) to find what you’re looking for, and can special order books if he doesn’t have them in stock. It’s a great Latin Quarter alternative to that “other” book store around the corner. You may even see me among the stacks of books sipping coffee in winter (Brian always has a pot on for visitors) or procrastinating on a stool outside in the summer. Many author readings and social events are organized throughout the year in partnership with the Canadian Club (the schedule is usually posted on the shop door).
Shakespeare & Company
37 Rue de la Bucherie, 5th
M° St-Michel
Tel 01 43 26 96 50
http://shakespeareandcompany.com/
Open since 1951, this independent, second-handbook shop is the successor of Sylvia Beach’s original Shakespeare & Co. in St-Germain-des-Prés, which closed during the Nazi occupation. The founder, American expat owner George Whitman, passed away in 2011, passing th store onto his daughter, Sylvia Beach Whitman. They still provide free bunk space in the shop’s library for visiting artists and writers. New and used books, as well as a read-only library upstairs.
The Red Wheelbarrow
22 Rue St-Paul, 4th
M° St-Paul or Pont Marie
Tel 01 48 04 75 08
Opened in 2001, this is a friendly little bookshop in the St-Paul district of the Marais, owned by Canadian Penelope Fletcher Le Masson. It specializes in “a wide range of classic and contemporary literature from English-speaking writers and in English translation…books on current affairs, British history, and American history…French-interest selection includes history, gastronomy, literature, and guidebooks.” They also have children’s books about Paris.
WH Smith Paris
248 rue de Rivoli, 1st
M° Tuileries or Concorde
Tel 01 44 77 88 99
www.whsmith.fr
This is one of the largest English book stores in Paris (an independent branch of the British bookstore chain), with an impressive magazine selection and English food products upstairs. They host regular author events and readings for free if you get on their mailing list (on the website).
Tea & Tattered Pages
24 Rue Maynet, 6th
M° Duroc
Tel 01 40 65 94 35.
This tiny, independent bookshop is a bit off the beaten bath, but they’ve got some of the best deals on new and used English-language books, and a tearoom serving up authentic brownies and apple pie.
Village Voice
6 Rue Princesse, 6th
M° Mabillon
Tel 01 46 33 36 47
www.villagevoicebookshop.com
Open daily, this is a large and tidy shop selling new English books chosen by the owner Odile Hellier and her staff with a focus on literature, culture, politics, and contemporary social issues. They have regular readings by international authors.
San Francisco Book Company
17 rue Monsieur le Prince, 6th
M° Odéon
Tel 01 43 29 15 70
www.sanfranciscobooksparis.com
A huge used book store on the Left Bank, with the followng categories: "Pocket-book mysteries, fiction, and science fiction, Trade paperback and hardcover fiction, Poetry, plays, theatre , film, music and art, Science, history and philosophy, psychology and sociology, Business and economics, Cooking, sports, children's and travel, First editions, rare, collectible ephemera and more."
Berkeley Books of Paris
8, rue Casimir Delavigne, 6th
www.berkeleybooksofparis.com
I haven't visited this relatively new second-hand bookshop yet, but I've heard they have a good selection of literary fiction and poetry. Buy, sell, or trade your quality English and American books here.
Brentanos
37 Avenue de l'Opéra, 2nd
This historic bookshop closed in 2009, then reopened with a new owner in February 2010. I haven't been by to visit yet, but have heard that only 40% of the shop is devoted to English language books, and the rest of the store is for Paris souvenirs, post cards, etc.
Galignani's
Rue de Rivoli, 1st
I'm only putting them in here so you don't think I "missed" a spot. But as long as there are other shops selling English books in Paris, you won't see me in this store. Bookstores can't afford to be rude to their quickly-dwindling client base.
Discount French Books
Browse the Latin Quarter bookshops for French classics or art and design books on sale. A good place to start is under the ubiquitous yellow canopies of Gibert Jeune at Place St-Michel (M° St-Michel), with several stores dominating the intersection. Many of the discounted books are stacked on tables outside, but there’s also a small English-language section (look for “Langues et Letters”). This is a great place to get inexpensive French notebooks and stationary, as well.
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