*sigh* Oh Shakespeare and Company. What can I say about the bookstore that completely stole my heart?
So a little history. The first Shakespeare and Co. was opened in 1919 by Sylvia Beach and was frequented by many famous writers such as Ezra Pound, James Joyce, and Earnest Hemingway. It was closed in 1941 due to the German occupation of Paris and was never reopened. Then, in 1951, George Whitman opened a bookstore called Le Mistral, and in 1964 when Sylvia Beach passed away, he named his bookstore Shakespeare and Company in memorial of her famous bookstore. It’s now a badass English language bookstore, library, and sleeping quarters (13 beds apparently!), and it’s EVERYFUCKINGTHING.
I’m the biggest book nerd of life, I think I get giddy walking into a regular ol’ Barnes and Noble. But Shakespeare and Co.?! DREAMY. Think rows and rows of beautiful vintage books, a typewriter to write poems, old couches, exposed wooden beams, creaky floorboards, and just…charming. They only allow pictures upstairs in the ‘library’, but downstairs you can find all of the new books that are available for purchase. When you buy a book, they even put a stamp on the inside for you! It’s the best. place. ever.
Yup, Shakespeare and Co. is everything. It’s easily one of my favorite places in Paris, and that’s saying something. The library upstairs is super quiet, and perfect for settling in for a classic book. It’s across the river from Notre Dame, so if you’re in Paris…just go. If you’ve already been to Paris and gone to Shakespeare and Co., go again for me.
I seriously dream of Paris daily. That city changed both Johnny and I. I was talking to him last night on gchat and he is already trying to figure out how we can get there after our year in Korea. And hey, I’m not complaining!
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I’ve read about it, walked by it…but somehow I’ve never been inside! And after looking at your photos, I’m *almost* glad…if I had gone in, I probably never would have left. Ever.
Trust me, you’d never, ever want to leave. When you go back this summer, GO!!!
LOVE the photos, so beautiful – really tells a story! xx
Thank you so much Jen!
Ahh, it looks divine! I love Paris’ rich literary history, it just warms my heart – this coming from someone who always has her nose in a book.
AND I moved into my apartment this week and discovered that the previous teacher left behind a small collection of classics!
How awesome!!! I joked with Johnny that I wanted to throw away my Kindle in favor of getting all of the vintage classics.
I remember wandering through there and eventually buying a copy of Out of Africa. Great pictures – makes we want to go back ASAP!
Thank you! Lets all go back together!
Ummm I definitely had a bookgasm looking at your pictures. They are DIVINE! I can’t believe I’ve been to Paris twice and have never been here!
*GASP* You need to fix that girl!!! It’s a book lover’s paradise!
I get all giddy in bookstores too. Honestly, I would probably have TWO heart attacks if I ever got to visit Shakespeare & Company. *sigh*
Gorgeous photos. Awesome topic.
Thank you so much Jayla!
Your pictures are lovely! Shakespeare & Company is definitely on my “to do” list when I visit Paris!!
When are you going?!?!?!
Oh why can’t we have places like that in North America, I would love a bookstore like this.
RIGHT!?!?! That’s all I kept thinking the whole time. Our bookstores are so modern and cold. Not warm, cozy, historic….*sigh*
Oh, Sheryll, visiting Shakespeare & Co has been on my bucket list for the longest time. Just seeing your photos of it brought tears to my eyes.
You’re going to get to go girl!!!!! And when you do, all the time you waited will be worth it.
I love Shakespeare & Co! You took gorgeous photos of the place, it captures a piece of its bookworm and creative spirit. It seems like just yesterday I was standing in front of those doors, listening to a Lorin Stein of the Paris Review presenting. I hope you and Johnny do go back right after Korea – Paris has a way of stealing your heart ?
*sigh* lets move back okay? I have a year in Korea…then PARIS! We can do it!
Yes!! Absolutely!
I’ve wanted to go here ever since reading A Moveable Feast! Looks like a great shop– similar to City Lights in its homeiness. Great photos, thank you for sharing
Thank you Alexandra!
This store sounds so lovely. I will definitely have to visit when I go to Paris. And the quote by Eileen Myles is everything!
it’s the best store ever. I want to live there LOL!
These photos make me feel bad for not visiting yet! Thanks for sharing and giving me the kick I need to get out and explore this bookworm’s dream!
Hi! Really beautiful and awesome pictures! I was in Paris last month and as a book and literature lover, of course I visited Shakespeare and Company – even twice. It stole my heart too. Your photos, also your other pictures of Paris and Versailles, are really really great. Thank you for sharing! Wish I could take such pictures myself.
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