Paris, France, is well known for its rich literary history, as well as for taking pride in elegant, striking designs; these 15 bookstores and book cafés are solid proof of that.
The Abbey Bookshop
In Paris’ Latin Quarter stands the Abbey Bookshop, founded by a Canadian immigrant in 1989 and specializing in English-language books. Overflowing with over 40,000 new and used books, including many Canadian titles, its tightly packed shelves and narrow passages create a cave of wonders designed for bookaholics.
The shop is recognized for its eclectic, floor-to-ceiling selection, lively community events, and friendly ambiance.
Address: 29 Rue de la Parcheminerie, 75005 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 7PM
Librairie Galignani
Known as continental Europe’s first English-language bookstore, Librairie Galignani opened in 1801 and has been run by the Galignani family since its founding. Its roots are even older than that, tracing back to a Venetian publishing house established in 1520.
Galignani features elegant wood shelves and well-organized collections in both English and French literature. Its shelves span across two levels, with a slender indoor balcony that makes access to the topmost volumes easy.
Address: 224 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10:30AM – 7:30PM
– Sunday: Closed
Shakespeare and Company
Shakespeare and Company is a legendary English-language bookstore across from Notre-Dame and was voted the second most beautiful bookstore in the world by 200,000 people casting their caps into 1000Libraries’ polls.
Though no grand, sweeping structure, this bookstore is filled with beautiful stone flooring and aged wooden bookshelves. It has staff passionate about literature and a great selection of antiquarian volumes. Its café with outdoor terrace is also a great place to set and enjoy locally-sourced baked goods and coffee.
Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 10AM – 8PM
– Thursday to Saturday: 10AM – 9PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 7PM
Librairie Jousseaume
One of Paris’ oldest bookstores, this bookstore has been situated in the elaborate Galerie Vivienne since 1826. It’s filled with antiquarian and secondhand books, postcards, prints, and other literary curiosities.
The interior is close and intimate, with wooden floors and warm lighting that create an atmosphere akin to a wizened philosopher’s study. That sense is only amplified by the owner, who knows the literature like the back of his hand and is happy to help book lovers in search of a well-loved volume.
Address: 45-46-47 Gal Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 11AM – 7PM
– Sunday: Closed
Librairie Delamain
Not too far from the Louvre, you can find Librairie Delamain, the oldest continuously operating bookshop in Paris. Founded over two centuries ago, it draws visitors with its charming striped awning, wood-paneled interior, and rich literary history.
Delamain’s collection contains around 25,000 new and older titles, mostly in French, including a tidy little section for rare and antiquarian books. It also hosts literary events such as author meet-and-greets, book launches, and debates.
Address: 155 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 1PM – 7PM
San-Francisco Book Co.
San-Francisco Book Co. was founded in 1997 by American expat Jim Carroll, selling English-language used books. It’s immediately recognizable by its fire-engine-red storefront (mentioned before in our Parisian book lover’s guide), and it’s filled to the brim with a well-curated selection of secondhand books in English.
Reviewers remark upon bargain prices and helpful service. Though the inside can be something of a maze, it’s perfect for stumbling upon the unexpected, whether a genre you’ve never tried or a subject you’ve never seen.
Address: 17 Rue Monsieur le Prince, 75006 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 8PM
TASCHEN Paris
Run by an art book publisher, TASCHEN Paris has an interior both elegant and subtly stylish, with smooth, gently curved columns and a single, long room that says exactly what it needs to and no more. It reflects the bookstore’s careful dedication to all things on the topic of art, showcasing books on photography, architecture, fashion, and more.
Though most of its collection is in French, it holds some English and German books as well. But even without that, a picture—and art in general—says a thousand words without needing any language at all.
Address: 2 Rue de Buci, 75006 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 8PM
Halle Saint-Pierre
This distinctive cultural center was voted third place by our readers for the most beautiful book cafés in the world, and a single glance inside will tell you why. Halle Saint-Pierre is housed in a striking 19th-century iron-and-glass ex-market hall. Dedicated to off-beat art (particularly art brut and outsider art), it features rotating exhibitions, a specialist bookshop, and a café.
The café side keeps things fresh with vegetarian pastries, while the art they specialize in will keep you on your toes. Just a quick note: the bookshop and center are free to visit, but the exhibitions do have an entry fee.
Address: 2 Rue Ronsard, 75018 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 11AM – 6PM
– Saturday: 11AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 6PM
Péniche L’Eau et les Rêves
Another hit on our most beautiful book cafés list, Péniche L’Eau et les Rêves, which translates roughly to “The Barge of Water and Dreams,” was voted into fourth place. As a floating bookshop and café, it’s also one of the most unique on the list.
Moored along the Canal de l’Ourcq, it specializes in books about nature, ecology, and travel, its wooden interior peppered with potted plants. It also offers a café with a great view, which also plays host to various author events and workshops throughout the year.
Address: 9 Quai de l’Oise, 75019 Paris, France
Opening hours:
Bookstore
– Wednesday to Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
– Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Café
– Wednesday to Sunday: 11AM – 7PM
– Sunday brunch: 11:30AM – 3PM (by reservation only)
– Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Assouline Paris
Assouline Paris is the flagship boutique of the luxury publisher Assouline, known for producing books on art, travel, fashion, and design. As can be expected of an art-centric space, its interior stuns with vibrant red walls and art gallery-esque displays.
Inside, you can find elaborate art books, collector’s editions, and unique accessories, all designed to be both creative and visually appealing. Much of the design feels inspired by multiple cultures, giving an elevated, almost ethereal vibe to the place.
Address: 35 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10:30AM – 7:30PM
– Sunday: 1PM – 7PM
Brentano’s
This American bookstore is over a hundred years old and was established as a branch of New York’s Brentano’s. Located on the ground floor of Hotel Edouard VII, this store keeps a wide range of English-language books, newspapers, and magazines, plus a neat assortment of stationery and gorgeous little gift items like figurines and photo frames.
This particular Brentano’s has stood the test of time, surviving wartime closure and various ownership changes, and is a popular draw for tourists and expatriots.
Address: 37 Av. de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9:30AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 7PM
Comme un Roman
Known for its welcoming staff and expert curation, Comme un Roman offers a wide selection of French literature, magazines, and children’s books, plus a modest assortment of English-language titles.
It’s no slacker in promoting literary culture, either, frequently hosting author signings and neighborhood events. Its interior is filled with subtle decorative touches that brighten the place and give it an elegant but not overwhelming atmosphere, one that readily welcomes new visitors and regulars alike.
Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Saturday: 10AM – 7:45PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 1:30PM
– Monday: Closed
Artazart
Artazart is half bookstore, half art gallery, its white walls plastered with a wide range of art pieces while books are displayed on tables below. And no wonder: this is another bookshop that focuses its collection on the visual arts, especially graphic design, photography, and even graphic novels.
Founded in 2000, Artazart keeps local literary and art culture alive with regular events, from author signings to art exhibitions. The shop also features art-inspired gifts, paper goods, and a colorful children’s section.
Address: 83 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10:30AM – 7:30PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 7:30PM
Librairie du Passage
This antiquarian bookstore has long since found its home nestled within the elegant Passage Jouffroy. It makes a mark with its ever-changing storefront selection, sometimes displaying gorgeous, decades-old leather-bound volumes, and other times posters or art pieces.
Though most of the collection is in French, it’s still worth a visit just to breathe in the scent of old paper and leather or check out vintage prints. It’s a true treasure trove of secondhand gems; you’ll never know what you’ll find. It also buys and appraises old books for those looking to sell.
Address: 48 Pass. Jouffroy, 75009 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10:30AM – 7PM
Les bouquinistes de la Seine
Les bouquinistes de la Seine, or “the booksellers of the Seine,” are Paris’s iconic open-air booksellers. They’ve been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991 and can be found along both banks of the Seine River from Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire and Pont Marie to Quai du Louvre.
Booksellers have been peddling their wares along the Seine since the 1600s, and today are best known for their beautiful green color. Today, there are over 200 stalls selling antiquarian books, prints, and postcards.
Address: Les quais de la Seine, 75004 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: early morning to sunset
– (Note: as there are 200 booksellers, open/close times may vary.)
