Explore the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Photos of Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Tucked just across the river from Notre-Dame Cathedral, Shakespeare and Company is more than a bookstore — it’s a cultural landmark. With its creaky wooden shelves, cozy reading nooks, and storied past, the shop has become a pilgrimage site for book lovers and aspiring writers from around the world.

What to Expect

Inside, you’ll find a carefully curated collection of English-language literature, from classics and poetry to contemporary fiction and rare finds. The shop retains an old-world charm, with vintage typewriters, handwritten notes, and a resident cat often found napping on a shelf.

Upstairs, visitors can relax in the reading library, leave a note in the guestbook, or join impromptu poetry readings. Outside, street musicians and the Seine’s booksellers (bouquinistes) add to the literary atmosphere.

Background and Cultural Context

The current incarnation of Shakespeare and Company was opened in 1951 by American expatriate George Whitman and named in honor of the original store run by Sylvia Beach, who famously published James Joyce’s Ulysses in 1922. Whitman’s shop quickly became a hub for the “Lost Generation” and later the Beat poets.

Over the years, the shop has hosted literary greats such as Allen Ginsberg, Anaïs Nin, and Henry Miller. It continues to support writers by offering free lodging in exchange for helping out around the store — a tradition known as “Tumbleweeds.”

Best Time to Visit

The store can get crowded in the afternoon, especially on weekends. Mornings or early evenings on weekdays offer a quieter, more intimate experience. Book signings and readings are frequently held, so check the store’s website or social channels for schedules.

How to Get There

Shakespeare and Company is located at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, in Paris’s 5th arrondissement. It’s easily accessible by foot from Notre-Dame, or via the Saint-Michel Metro station (Line 4 or RER B/C). It's also a short walk from the Latin Quarter and the Sorbonne.

Photo Opportunities

• The iconic green-and-yellow storefront with its vintage signs
• Book-filled interior with narrow wooden staircases
• Reading nooks, handwritten notes, and resident cats
• Views of Notre-Dame from just outside the shop

Travel Tips

• Books purchased here are stamped with the famous “Shakespeare and Company” logo — a perfect souvenir.
• Visit the adjacent café for coffee, pastries, and a place to read your new book.
• Be respectful of the shop’s cozy space — photography inside is limited.
• Support the store by purchasing books rather than browsing only; it helps keep the legacy alive.

FAQs

Is the store open to the public?
Yes — it’s open daily, and visitors are welcome to browse, read, and shop.

Is Shakespeare and Company still housing writers?
Yes — select guests (known as “Tumbleweeds”) stay in the store while writing or traveling, in keeping with George Whitman’s tradition.

Can I attend an event or reading?
Absolutely. The shop hosts regular author events, readings, and literary festivals — check their website for updates.

Final Thoughts

A visit to Shakespeare and Company is a step into literary history — a living tribute to the spirit of artistic freedom and bohemian life. Whether you’re browsing the shelves, attending a reading, or soaking in the riverside ambiance, it’s one of Paris’s most enchanting and soulful stops.