Paris is one of the most cultural cities in France, if not the world. Museums, cinemas and monuments make it a capital of choice for all culture lovers, and bookshops are obviously not to be outdone. Here, it's easy to find the perfect store for your literary shopping. And, of course, there's something for every taste. In Paris, there are many unusual bookshops that reinvent literature and make it more accessible.
Whether they're ultra-specialized, located in unexpected places or simply have a super-inventive decor, these bookstores caught our eye, and we think you're going to love them! We look forward to hearing from you. Happy reading to all.
L'Ours et la Vieille Grille: poetry-filled café-library and wine cellar in a former theater
In the Latin Quarter, the history of the capital meets literature in the bookshop de l'Ours et la Vieille Grille. Formerly a theater in the 1960s, the place is now a haunt for poets and book lovers, as well as for fine dining, as it boasts a soulful café! [Read more]
Musée de Poche: a small art gallery and bookshop with creative workshops for children
At the Musée de Poche, children can enjoy workshops and activities in this small space between gallery and bookshop, where creativity is the order of the day, in the heart of Paris's 11th arrondissement. [Read more]
The bookshop café in Crécy-la-Chapelle (77): a waterside stall for browsing and relaxing
Along the banks of the Grand Morin - the river that runs through the pretty village of Crécy-la-Chapelle - a small blue-painted stall invites you to enjoy a coffee while browsing in the bookshop: it's the Crécy-la-Chapelle (77) bookshop. [Read more]
La Maison des Histoires, an immersive museum for children aged 0 to 7, hidden in a bookshop
Behind the Chantelivre bookshop lies a fun-filled children's museum for the very young! La Maison des Histoires immerses the whole family in the literary worlds of l'École des Loisirs, between Cornebidouille and the Maximonstres! [Read more]
Re-Read: a second-hand bookshop with books for 4 euros, accessible to all, in the 11th arrondissement.
Among the few second-hand bookshops in the capital, a newcomer is trying to make its mark: Re-Read. It offers books at a single price of 4 euros, accessible to all literature lovers! [Read more]
Kazamanga, the place to find manga in Asnières-sur-Seine (92)
If you're a manga fan or a fan of these graphic novels, there's a bookshop dedicated to them in Asnières-sur-Seine. Welcome to the shelves of Kazamanga, the address dedicated to manga in Asnières! [Read more]
La Belle Hortense: intimate literary bar and wine cellar in a bookshop in the heart of the Marais district
Are you a lover of good wine and books? Taste the classics in the Marais at La Belle Hortense, a curious literary bar that mixes books and bottles of vintage wine in a warm, intimate space, surrounded by black-and-white photos. [Read more]
Reopening of the famous feminist and LGBTQI+ bookshop Violette and Co, in the 11th arrondissement.
After closing in early 2022, the 11th arrondissement literary institution is back, thanks to the determination of feminist activists. More modern, the bookshop now houses a small café, which you can try out from October 13, 2023! [Read more]
La Régulière: independent bookshop, coffee shop and art gallery in the 18th arrondissement
In the Goutte d'Or district of Paris, you'll discover a true hybrid of independent bookshop specializing in graphic arts, coffee shop and small art gallery, where you can find little nuggets like nowhere else! [Read more]
Majo, the feminist bookshop with a small vegan café near the Pantheon
Between Jussieu and the Panthéon, you'll find a pretty, cosy bookshop in violet tones, where you'll find feminist, children's and contemporary books, and a vegan café to relax in. [Read more]
Esoteric bookshops and boutiques in Paris: a dive into spirituality
Want to connect with the invisible and discover the secrets of the universe? Stroll through the capital's esoteric stores, discovering ancestral and spiritual practices and objects steeped in mystery. [Read more]
Azzedine Alaïa Bookshop: unique fashion books in the home of the great couturier
Rue de la Verrerie, in the historic home of Azzedine Alaïa, has just opened a bookshop, a stone's throw from the gallery exhibiting the great couturier's work. The perfect place to find that fashion book you've been looking for! [Read more]
Water and dreams, the botanical barge-library on the Canal de l'Ourcq
On the banks of the Canal de l'Ourcq, you'll find an unusual barge that holds treasures of lush greenery and literature. A small café-restaurant hides away in this unique botanical bookshop with its feet in the water, the ideal place for good ideas to germinate! [Read more]
Shakespeare and Company, the most English-speaking bookstore in Paris
Opposite Notre-Dame de Paris, the Shakespeare and Company Café adjoins the historic English-language bookshop founded by George Whitman. Gourmets and literary souls, you've found your paradise! [Read more]
Paris: Les Grands Caractères, France's first bookshop dedicated to the visually impaired
Paris is home to a new bookshop with a concept never seen before in France. Located in the Latin Quarter, Les Grands Caractères offers books adapted for the visually impaired. It's the perfect place for literature fans whose passion for books was previously compromised by their sight problems. [Read more]
And for even more bookshops to discover, take a look at our other guides
Bookshops: where to buy second-hand novels and essays in Paris?
Attention literature fans! Paris is bursting with second-hand bookshops, full of bargains. If you want to fill bags with novels or essays for a handful of euros, these are the stores for you. [Read more]
If you're having trouble finishing your series of One Piece or any other river manga without jeopardizing your purse, this guide is for you! Discover our selection of Parisian bookshops for second-hand comics, manga and graphic novels. [Read more]
It's the most cultural district in Paris, so it's only natural to find many bookshops of all kinds. To help you find your way around, discover our selection of favorite bookshops in the Latin Quarter. [Read more]
With the start of the new academic year just around the corner, many students need to stock up on back-to-school books, often at excessive prices. That's why we've put together a selection of bookstores in Paris where you'll find a wide range of books for students, academics and researchers. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From September 22, 2023 to December 31, 2027
Bookshops: where to buy second-hand novels and essays in Paris?
Bookshops: where to buy second-hand comics and manga in Paris?
Literature: discover the best bookshops in the Latin Quarter
Literature: student bookshops in Paris
