Shakespeare and Company

One of the best bookstores in the world, but there are things you need to know before going. There's a reason the literary greats like Stein and Hemingway regularly frequented this spot. My first time was 11 years ago, and it has changed a lot!

1. There will be a long line. Even in January, in the rain, right before closing time at night, there was a line wrapped around the building. To beat the line, get there really early! I showed up in the morning before they opened and was the first one waiting. By the time they opened, there was already a line behind me.

2. It'll be crowded. But the time I exited, the store was packed. If you truly want a peaceful browsing experience, do what I did.

3. No photos: a rule that was put in place sometime after I was there last. They don't want you photographing the books, and they'll ask you to stop.

4. They have an excellent selection. They have English books, classics, etc.

Guess where my first tourist stop in Paris was?

Well, it's not a hard guess if you're reading what this review is for. It was a dream come true getting to visit Shakespeare and Company while here. This quaint bookshop is a must when you're visiting Paris if you love books... and maybe even if you don't. Writing this review as it's been almost a year since my visit and I miss Paris now more than ever.

If you come and there's a large crowd, they let people in at groups at a time. You can find books of all kinds here. It's my tradition to buy a book in a bookshop while on vacation and I ended up getting a special version of "The Little Prince" which they had several different versions of. I also ended up getting a tote (which I use almost every day), bookmarks, and a postcard. If you're looking to go here during a not busy time, I'd recommend goin as soon as they open or in the morning.

This is a cool historic bookstore that is free to visit.

There is a line which goes pretty fast.

I loved the smell of papers when you get inside. There are = real books to buy to.

Upstairs has a quiet sitting area with a view of Seine River sit there and imagine how Shakespeare was living his life.

I would totally recommend a visit to this fabulous place! Also have a coffee next door! lol!

My husband surprised me with a trip to this bookstore, and it made me such a happy girl. One of our favorite dates is going to a bookstore and following it up with dessert. This bookstore did not disappoint! I was able to find a few books which they stamped for me, as well as a rad little tote bag. Most of the bookstores in Paris we encountered are books written in French, but this bookstore had mostly books written in English. It also has a cool little history.

I'm a bibliophile.

Consequently, whenever and wherever I go somewhere, visiting a bookstore is typically on the agenda.

It's entirely possibly that before this trip I visited Shakespeare and Company, but frankly I doubt it given the fact that they stamp your books when you pay for them in the end.

This bookstore is near Notre Dame and the lines are typically long. We went within an hour or so of closing time and luckily it wasn't too bad. It was extremely organized and the line moved quick.

Upon entering, there are two floors and you're not permitted to take photos inside. Outside is no problem, but inside given the amount of people and even the cozy reading corner, well, I can see their point.

They sell books in English and French. The staff, too, is fully bilingual and speaks both languages with ease. I found myself at home there and I couldn't leave without purchasing a tote, several books, and even a gift or two for a friend. Really can't wait to return but for that I must first return to good ol' Paris.

Aww, the most famous bookstore in Paris! So much in a small space, yet the layout provides a "homie" feeling. Every topic/category has a section, even if it's hidden under the stairs.

There were plenty of employees to direct you to areas of interest. There is also an area upstairs area where you can sit and read.

Lovely little place. Highly recommend stopping in if in the area. No pictures allowed inside which allowed us to be present and enjoy.

Bookstore w/ alot of hype. Sort of rude staff. You know I dislike rude. Left without browsing. C'est dommage.

Shakespeare & Company has been around, in one form or another, for over one hundred years. During that time, it has become a major draw for almost every English speaking Francophile in Paris.

The history goes back to Silvia Beach pre-WWII bookstore, which became the famous hangout for the likes of Gertrude Stein, Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce, among others.

In the post war years, American George Whitman re-opened the bookstore here on the Left Bank and drew a more bohemian crowd of Allen Ginsburg, Anaïs Nin, James Baldwin, Richard Wright and George Plimpton, who at the time was editing The Paris Review.

There's a lot of history here and there seems to be a party whenever I stop by, either while waiting in line and getting to know the folks in the queue, or after one's purchase, sitting in a nearby Café.

As I said, it does feel party or that the carnival has come to town. Of course, isn't that the Latin Quarter's appeal?

Now where did I put my Stephen Clarke book: "1,000 Years of Annoying the French", which I just purchased? LOL. Who is another famous francophile and humorist living in Paris.

A must visit for avid book readers! Shakespeare and Company is the definition of the perfect bookstore in Paris. It's a pretty and vintage looking beautiful bookstore filled to the brim with books of all types of genre. Upstairs they have a reading room area where you can sit and enjoy reading the books they have. The area was small, quiet and really nice! The books in the reading area are not for sale.

When we came here there was a bit of a line to get into the bookstore since it's such a popular tourist destination spot. However, the wait wasn't too long and the line goes quickly. They don't allow pictures inside the bookstore. Inside the bookstore, they have books both in English and in other languages. Prices are also super fair. If you end up purchasing a book, they also ask if you want their store stamp inside the book which I love! I actually ended up buying a book to bring back with me just so I could get the cute stamp. If you have any book lover friends, a book from the bookstore would also make such a cute gift. I highly recommend stopping by this bookstore in Paris.

On the ground floor of Shakespeare and Company you'll find a modern bookshop with popular titles for sale in English and French. There is even a small section of children's books. Upstairs the vibe shifts from tourist destination to a place to rest and read. The walls on the first floor are lined with older books and places to sit. Photos are not allowed inside the bookshop, and as a rule follower, I did not take any. I saw other people try to take photos, but there are cameras everywhere, so I also saw people who were told to put their photos/cameras away. Any books you purchase from the shop are eligible to be stamped with the bookstore's logo. I opted to have the first page of each book I purchased stamped as a reminder of where I got the books from.