Shakespeare and Company
A legendary English-language bookshop directly across the river from Notre-Dame, a literary landmark from the Hemingway era. Its green storefront is a popular photo spot.
The current bookshop was opened in 1951 by George Whitman. It carries on the name of the original Shakespeare and Company, run by Sylvia Beach between the two world wars, where Hemingway and Joyce were welcomed. Narrow wooden bookshelves, the upstairs reading room, and the tradition of 'Tumbleweeds' (writers allowed to stay overnight) make it a literary pilgrimage site. Photography is not allowed inside. During peak season, lines often form at the door. You can have your purchased books stamped with a special bookshop seal. The café next door, which shares the name, is a nice place to sit. Located on the Left Bank of the Seine in the Latin Quarter, it's an easy walk to Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. RER B/C Saint-Michel station, a 3-minute walk.
Opening hours
About 10:00–20:00 (shorter hours on Sundays)
Nearby sights
- Notre-Dame de Paris
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Latin Quarter & Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Panthéon
- Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection
- Luxembourg Gardens
- Louvre Museum
- Musée d'Orsay