The 10 Best Bookstores in Paris

La Hune

La Hune is located in a quiet corner of the city at 16–18 Rue de l’Abbaye in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement. Initially, this bookshop had a more bohemian flair, but these days it is quite refined and sophisticated. You’ll find a large selection of French literature and books on the humanities located on the ground floor, as well as an outstanding selection of fine arts and cinema books on the upper floor.

Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 16-18 Rue de l’Abbaye, 75006 Paris

La Hune has a large selection of French literature | © Roman Boed / Flickr | © Roman Boed / Flickr

Librairie Galignani

Librarie Galignani was the first English bookshop established on the continent in 1801. Galignani is located on Rue de Rivoli, close to Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement, and it has a good selection of both English and French literature, and history. You can also find a range of books about fashion, design, travel, and interior design written, again in both languages.

Librarie Galignani, 224 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Treasure hunting. #bookshop #librairiegalignani #paris

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Violette & Co.

This interesting bookshop is located in the 11th arrondissement near the Place de La Bastille. With more than 800m (2,600 ft.) of floor space, Violette and Co. offers a great selection of books for both leisure and education. The owners strive to feature books that will educate and inform the public on issues such as women’s rights and homosexuality. The book selection includes works about rape, homophobia, adoption, religion, gender, relationships, and even deportation. You can find poetry and a section for younger readers. Readings, lectures, debates and exhibitions take place here regularly.

Violette and Co, 102 rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris

Shakespeare and Company

Shakespeare and Company is located in the 5th arrondissement with a café next door, and it has a long history of being associated with ‘The Lost Generation’ of expats that inhabited Paris in the 1920s. Inside this store, you will find a labyrinth of book passages, alcoves and reading rooms with a lot of secret corners perfect for curling up with one of their books. This shop has inspired many writers, travelers, and readers over the years.

Shakespeare and Company, 37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris

Shakespeare and Company, a shop with a long history | © Niall McNulty / Flickr

WHSmith

This well known English bookstore is located on Rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement. They’re is open seven days a week, so don’t hesitate to check them out whenever you have the time. The sections range from fiction & non-fiction to an English language-teaching department, and the store also offers a children’s department. Furthermore, the store cover a wide selection of international press titles, with over 500 titles.

WHSmith, 248 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

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Taschen

The famous publisher Taschen operates a bookstore in the 6th arrondissement in Paris and offers a wide selection of their own books. With a choice of books covering a wide variety of topics (including photography, pop culture, style, travel, architecture, fashion, design, cinema, and music), there is something here for everyone. The books are on the expensive side, but they are beautifully done and work nicely as coffee table books.

Taschen, 2 rue de Buci, 75006 Paris

Librairie du Marais

The Librarie du Marais is located in the 3rd arrondissement in Paris. Le Marais is known for its interesting concept stores, boutiques, and cafés, and this bookstore fits right in. The Librarie du Marais is perfect for finding books for your home. The genres vary from photography, interior design and cooking to architecture and art. You can find books in both English and French, making it impossible not to find something you may enjoy!

Librairie du Marais, 89 Rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 Paris

Le Gai Rossignol

This bookshop is located between Centre Pompidou and Rue de Rivoli in the 3rd arrondissement in Paris. The store focuses on books about photography, fashion design, interior design, and architecture. If you are interested in cookbooks, there is a huge selection here as well. The books are beautifully made, making this another perfect place to find coffee table books.

Le Gai Rossignol, 9 rue Saint Martin 75004 Paris

This bookshop is located between Centre Pompidou and Rue de Rivoli | © Anyul Rivas / Flickr

Comme un Roman

The bookstore Comme un Roman (‘Like a Novel,’ for us English speakers) offers selections in French literature, science and history, travel, art, culture, and design. The selection is mainly in French, but it also stocks some English books. The store is located in the 3rd arrondissement on the street Rue de Bretagne and is just across the street from the famous Café Charlot, which also is worth a visit while you’re in the area.

Comme un Roman, 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris

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La Manoeuvre

This bookstore is located at Rue de la Roquette in the 11th arrondissement near the Place de La Bastille. It offers a wide selection of French literature as well as a smaller range of books in English. La Manoeuvre also arranges a lot of events in the shop, so be sure to inquire about their next one.

58, Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris

It offers a wide selection that includes a large range of French literature | © Phil Roeder / Flickr