Bookstores are my happy place. They’re quiet, grounding, and full of people who also want to be left alone with their thoughts. There’s no pressure to talk, perform, or be anything. You browse. Flip through pages. Maybe find a story that sticks with you.

Here are some of my favorite bookstore finds (and non-finds) in Paris, plus the books that I came home with or were gifted away to friends.

The Red Wheelbarrow

📍 9 Rue de Médicis, 6th arrondissement

B and I were just aimlessly wandering near the 5th and 6th, no destination, no agenda, and boom, this charming little shop appeared. It’s right across from the Jardin du Luxembourg and has such a calm, unassuming energy.

Book I bought:

Left Bank by Agnès Poirier – If you’re into stories about post-war Paris, café debates, and creative rebels, this one’s for you. I read it and then passed it on to CN, who teaches European Civilisation at university and might get some insights for his teaching content. This book made me appreciate walking on the history-filled 5th and 6th more, where academics and writers meet.

La Librairie Américaine

📍 9 Rue Danielle Casanova, 1st arrondissement

I found this one while I was on my way to meet a friend near the Opéra. I had time to kill before she came, so I stepped into this calm and surprise find. A little English-language bookstore popped out of nowhere like it was waiting for me.

It’s warm, well-curated, and gives you the cozy vibe of a bookstore you'd find in a college town, overlooked by the majestic Palais Garnier.

Books I bought here:

National Dish by Anya von Bremzen – a gift for my friend RF, who loves food as much as I do. It’s about the connection between culture and what we eat. I did read it before giving it to RF as a graduation gift. The writing is a bit sloppy, but the attempt was appreciated.
May You Have Delicious Meals by Junko Takase – this one was more sentimental. Soft, poetic, short. Also for RF. A light, mindless read best suited for passing the time.
Brief History of Paris by Cecilia Jenkins because... well, it felt appropriate. It offers readers a concise yet illuminating glimpse into the heart and soul of one of the world's most enchanting cities. While it may not be an exhaustive tome on Paris, it certainly succeeds in providing a better understanding of how this iconic city operates, its origins, organization, and the intriguing reasons behind its unique rhythm.

Librairie Galignani + Smith & Son

📍 Rue de Rivoli, 1st arrondissement

This duo is side-by-side and feels like a breath of fresh air, especially on days when I need a break from all things… well, French. Galignani has this old-world, leather-bound elegance. Smith & Son, right next door, is more contemporary and crisp. Galignani claims to be the first English bookstore on the continent (it boldly says so in the plaque that sits outside).

B brought me here once when I was feeling overwhelmed. Best kind of distraction.

Books I picked up:

A couple of recipe books to gift to friends.
Magellan by Stefan Zweig — read it, enjoyed it, eventually sold it online. Not every book stays forever, and that’s okay.

The Abbey Bookshop

📍 29 Rue de la Parcheminerie, 5th arrondissement

One of the first English bookstores I went to in Paris, thanks to a friend’s recommendation. The shop is founded by a Canadian expat, and it shows in the warm, casual vibe. It’s a beautiful mess in there. Like the books are about to spill over, but in a way that feels oddly comforting. It’s cluttered in the best possible way: narrow paths between overflowing shelves, a Canadian flag out front, free coffee if you hang around long enough. You don’t browse here. You dig.

Can’t remember ever buying anything, oddly enough. But it’s the kind of place that sticks with you, even if you leave empty-handed.

Librairie Portugaise et Brésilienne

📍 21 Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques, 5th arrondissement

Right across Netfix’s Emily in Paris’ apartment haha. This one's a little niche but perfect when I need a mental escape from Paris. It's got books in Portuguese (mostly Brazilian and European, but other Lusophone authors & works), and it just feels super welcoming.

Books I bought:

The Book of Disquiet — Brazilian edition (because I thought Brazilian Portuguese might be easier for me than the European version).
Muito Prazer — A grammar book + workbook.

To the basement level of Librarie L’Harmattan, 2023

Librairie L’Harmattan

📍 21 bis Rue des Écoles, 5th arrondissement

If you’re into social sciences or international lit, this is a goldmine. I’ve never gone in without coming out with something, even if I had zero intention of buying.

Impulse buys:

The Culture Map by Erin Meyer — already read it digitally, but I wanted a physical copy (only to later realize I could’ve gotten it cheaper and signed at the INSEAD bookstore, lol).
Un viejo queue leia novelas de amor by Luis Sepulveda — B read it in French and recommended, and so I bought it in the original Spanish to see how much of it I can understand and comprehend (and appreciate)
Les femmes aussi sont du voyage by Lucie Azema - intrigued the feminist in me. I have started reading the first few pages, but I felt a bit too extreme for my liking. I bought it wanting to offer it to a friend, but I wanted to read it first. Will probably read a little more, but I don’t think I’ll hold on to it any longer.
Nous avons besoin d'un ailleurs qui n'existe pas by Lucie Azema - we all have books that capture our attention in a particular season of our lives, and when I saw this and bought it, I was probably searching for an ethereal escape of some sort.

Gibert Joseph

📍 Place Saint-Michel, 6th arrondissement

This was my go-to for French learning books. Less intense than FNAC, a bit more academic. Not much more to say except: practical, reliable, and honestly underrated.

First and sole visit at Shakespeare and Co., 2015

Shakespeare and Company

📍 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 5th arrondissement

Okay, confession: I’ve only been inside once, back in 2015, before the lines and photo rules and touristy chaos. It was magical then. Now, I just walk past it and wave at the memory.

Still legendary. Still glad I went when I did.

Librairie Voyageurs du Monde

📍Rue Saint Anne, 2nd arrodissement

This is the bookshop arm of the famous travel agency by the same name. It's a dreamscape for anyone obsessed with maps, far-off places, and travel writing.

Unlike the others, this was a planned visit. Travel memoirs and geography books are my go-to themes/genres, so naturally I had to go. What I didn’t expect was how it’s located on my most-frequented streets because of the Asian restaurants, so to me, it felt hidden, tucked near a narrow, charming passage, like you’ve stumbled onto a secret.

Inside? Way bigger than it looks from the outside. Calm, curated, and quietly stunning.

What I bought:

Bienvenue à la librairie Hyunam by Hwang Bo-Reu. I’ll be honest: I bought it mostly just to say I’d bought something from there. No idea why I couldn’t wait. Haven’t read it yet, but it sits on my shelf for now. One day.

These are just some of my favorite bookstore trails through Paris. Most of these were unplanned visits. They all just… happened. I love how books (and the places that hold them) show up when you least expect them, and provide me a safe refuge.

If you’re ever in Paris with no plan for the afternoon, start walking. Let the city decide where you end up. Odds are, it’ll lead you to a good story.

Got something to add or recommend to the list? Leave me a message!

Disclaimer: Parts of this content were refined using AI support.

Paris Bookstores and Book Purchases