Explore the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Things To Do In Paris

Literary Haven at Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

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Navigating Shakespeare and Company Bookstore : Answers to common questions

Admission Fee: There is no admission fee to visit the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore.
How Long to Visit: A visit to the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore typically lasts about 1 to 2 hours.
Washrooms: Public washrooms are available near the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore.
Hours of Operation: Store hours are typically from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Important Information: The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is a historic English-language bookstore in Paris, known for its literary significance.
Handicap Accessible: The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is accessible for visitors with disabilities.
Pets: Pets are not allowed inside the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore.
Guided Tours: Guided tours of the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore are available.
Restaurant or Cafe: The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore has a cafe offering light meals and beverages.
Gift Shop: The gift shop at the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore offers a variety of literary souvenirs.
Parking: Parking is available at various public lots near the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore.
Family Friendly: The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is family-friendly, with a wide selection of books for all ages.
Photography: The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is picturesque and excellent for photography.
WIFI: Free public WIFI is available in some areas of the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore.
Picnic Area: There are no designated picnic areas within the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore grounds.

Please note all times and prices subject to change. Please check the offical website for details.

Paris is not just a city known for its iconic Eiffel Tower, savory croissants, and rich history, but it also holds an unassuming treasure on its Left Bank—a literary sanctuary known as Shakespeare and Company bookstore. This quaint yet bustling store has long been a haven for book lovers, writers, and travelers alike, offering not just books but an experience deeply entrenched in literary history and the bohemian culture of Paris. For those seeking more than just a tourist spot, a visit to Shakespeare and Company is a pilgrimage to the heart of literary Paris.

Founded in 1951 by the American George Whitman, the bookstore was named after Shakespeare because, as Whitman once said, "Shakespeare was a fellow who liked to download his sugarplums to everybody." But the legacy of Shakespeare and Company traces back even further, to another bookstore of the same name opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919, which became a meeting place for iconic writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce. Whitman's store, located at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, carries forward this legacy, acting as both a bookstore and a library, and continuing to be a vibrant cultural center and a home for aspiring writers, who are referred to as "Tumbleweeds."

Stepping into Shakespeare and Company, visitors are immediately enveloped in its unique atmosphere—a blend of old-world charm and the palpable energy of countless dreams and stories housed within its walls. The interior is a labyrinth of rooms teeming with books stacked from floor to ceiling. Each corner, nook, and cranny tells a story, with ancient beams and cramped spaces filled with the scent of old paper and the promise of undiscovered adventures. At every turn, there are vestiges of its storied past, including old photographs, notes from patrons, and beds tucked between shelves where Tumbleweeds have slept in exchange for work, making it a living museum of literary history.

Events held at Shakespeare and Company exemplify the store's commitment to fostering a sense of community and engagement with literature. From poetry readings to book signings and discussions, the bookstore continuously celebrates the written word, inviting not just the literati but anyone with a passion for reading and learning. It stands as a testament to the enduring nature of books and their ability to bring people together across time and space.

Shakespeare and Company bookstore is more than just a place to buy books; it is a sanctuary for those who believe in the transformative power of literature. It has survived through times of political upheaval, social changes, and the advent of digital technology, continually adapting while staying true to its core values of community, culture, and the love of books. For travelers, book lovers, and dreamers wandering through Paris, Shakespeare and Company offers a timeless retreat, reminding us of the enduring importance and joy of reading.

Did You Know These Facts About Shakespeare and Company Bookstore ?

Over the years, Shakespeare and Company has hosted thousands of aspiring writers and artists, known as "Tumbleweeds," drawn by its bohemian ethos and the promise of a free place to sleep amidst the stacks of books. The shop has a quaint, labyrinthine layout, packed from floor to ceiling with new and used books in English, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.

Under the stewardship of Sylvia Beach Whitman, George's daughter, Shakespeare and Company remains a beacon for the literary community in Paris and beyond. It's a place where the spirit of the Lost Generation mingles with contemporary voices, where history and literature are alive and well, and where the love of books and the written word transcends boundaries. For many, visiting Shakespeare and Company is a pilgrimage, a testament to the enduring power of literature to connect and inspire across

Shakespeare and Company also serves as a cultural hub, hosting literary events, readings, writing workshops, and festivals that continue to nurture Paris's international literary scene. The shop's upstairs includes a reading library, a piano, and beds nestled among the bookshelves, preserving the tradition of providing a haven for travelers and writers.

Shakespeare and Company, nestled in the heart of Paris's Left Bank, is more than just a bookstore. It's a literary institution, a cultural landmark, and a sanctuary for writers, readers, and dreamers alike. Founded in 1919 by Sylvia Beach, the original bookstore was not only a place to buy books but also a library, a gathering spot for expatriate writers, and a publishing house. It famously became the first to publish James Joyce's "Ulysses" when no one else would.

The current incarnation of Shakespeare and Company, located just steps from the Seine and Notre-Dame Cathedral, was opened in 1951 by George Whitman under the name "Le Mistral," but it was renamed in 1964 to honor the original shop and its legacy. Whitman's vision was for the shop to be a "socialist utopia masquerading as a bookstore," providing a bed and breakfast for traveling writers and artists, who could stay for free in exchange for helping around the shop, reading a book a day, and writin

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Currency Exchange Rates for France

1 EUR = 1.0571 $ USD
1 EUR = 1.4834 $ CAD
1 EUR = 0.8291 £ GBP
1 EUR = 158.7763 ¥ JPY
1 EUR = 0.9301 ₣ CHF
1 EUR = 7.6719 元CNY
1 EUR = 8.2252 圓 HKD
1 EUR = 1.64 $ AUD
1 EUR = 1.7992 $ NZD

NOTE: Exchange rates are an average currency exchange rate from several sources. These rates are not buy or sell rates which will depend on when and where you buy or sell currency.

Verified & Trusted Contact Information for Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Address:

37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France

Telephone: +33 1 43 25 40 93

Official Website: shakespeareandcompany.com/

Latitude: 48.8526

Longitude: 2.3471

Map for Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Paris Current Weather

Local Temp: 8.9℃ / 48℉

High: 9.3℃ / 48.7℉

Low: 7.8℃ / 46℉

Humidity: 74 %

Explore the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Things To Do In Paris

Navigating Shakespeare and Company Bookstore : Answers to common questions

Did You Know These Facts About Shakespeare and Company Bookstore ?

Currency Exchange Rates for France

1 EUR = 1.0571 $ USD1 EUR = 1.4834 $ CAD1 EUR = 0.8291 £ GBP1 EUR = 158.7763 ¥ JPY1 EUR = 0.9301 ₣ CHF1 EUR = 7.6719 元CNY1 EUR = 8.2252 圓 HKD1 EUR = 1.64 $ AUD1 EUR = 1.7992 $ NZD

Verified & Trusted Contact Information for Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Map for Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Paris Current Weather

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1 EUR = 1.0571 $ USD
1 EUR = 1.4834 $ CAD
1 EUR = 0.8291 £ GBP
1 EUR = 158.7763 ¥ JPY
1 EUR = 0.9301 ₣ CHF
1 EUR = 7.6719 元CNY
1 EUR = 8.2252 圓 HKD
1 EUR = 1.64 $ AUD
1 EUR = 1.7992 $ NZD