Parisian Bookstores

From teeny tiny hole in the walls to wide open spaces, these are my favourite spots to discover anything old and new in the city where the worlds most renown writers took sanctuary, at one time or another.

Librairie 7L

Librairie 7L is the private collection of Karl Lagerfeld. This chic bookstore has frequent book signings with authors in the creative industries.

The Abbey Bookshop

The Abbey Bookshop is just around the corner from the famous Shakespeare & Co in the Latin Quarter. While less known than its predecessor, it’s a little gem of a bookstore in Paris. You can only walk down the halls in single file. This tiny bookstore was opened in 1989 by a Canadian. You’ll find an assortment of English books, ranging from scholarly to popular literature.

Yvon Lambert

Yvon Lambert is my favourite bookstore in Le Marais. It’s probably the most fashionable on the list, given its location and selection of the best coffee table books, from design and architecture to travel. Opened by French at dealer and gallerist Yvon Lambert, here you’ll find books on illustration, art and design.

Librairie Galignani

Librairie Galignani is a multi-level bookstore on rue de Rivoli. It is the first English bookshop in Paris and I love it for its elegant and antique furnishings.

Librairie Chanut

Librairie Chanut is another hole in the wall in St Germain des Pres. It is probably the most Parisian bookshops on this list. Old, dusty, with that old bookshop smell, you’ll find antiques books practically falling off the shelves.

Librairie Delamain

Librairie Delamain is the oldest bookshop in Paris, founded in 1700 and now owned by Gallimard. I love this spot because you can find the largest collection of Gallimard, the French publisher that publishes the iconic with books with a red lining.

Notable mentions:

• OFR

• Shakespear & Co.

• The Red Wheelbarrow

• San Francisco Book Co

• Librarie Mazarine