Shakespeare and Company - Paris France

Shakespeare and Company is a book store that is located in Paris. It's not anything that most people would look at and stop at unless they are aware that it's there. When I went to Paris I had heard of this bookstore and was thinking that I would check it out, however one of the other people that I took the trip with was familiar with it, and told me that it was a must see. Because of that we took a special trip just to see the bookstore, and I have to admit that it was well worth the trip.

The store has a great amount of history behind it, in fact most people are not aware that the current store that is open was not the first one that was opened. The first store with this name was opened in 1919 by Sylvia Beach, then in 1922, the store closed and moved to a larger location. During it's peak in the 20s many writers would use this store as a place to gather, writers such as Hemmingway, Jame Joyce, and Ford Madox Ford, where among a few of the patrons. When the Germans occupied France in 1941, the store was closed, and did not reopen.

In 1951, a store called Le Mistral was opened by George Whitman, but in 1964, Whitman renamed the store to Shakespeare and Company as a tribute to the store that was opened by Beach. When visitors see the store today it serves as both a reading library and store. The store also has beds for writers to stay in, Whitman allowed writers to stay there for free if they did chores and worked in the shop. When George Whitman passed away his daughter took over control of the store and continues to run it in the same way that her father did.



When I visited the store I have to admit I wasn't expecting much, but they actually have many different books, old and new. I could have spent all day in the store but my time was short, when I go back to Paris I plan to spend a lot more time at the store. It can seem a little small and almost cluttered, but don't let that keep you from exploring the store and missing out on this great experience. It's a fun place to just wander and look around, and you might even find some treasures if you are interested in reading, or collecting old books. There are many days in which you can find events such as readings, workshops, and other special events at the store. If you are interested in learning what is going on during your trip you can visit their website and look at the upcoming events.

The store is located at:
37 rue de la Bûcherie
75005 Paris
Phone: 00 33 (0) 1 43 25 40 93

Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-11pm
Saturday and Sunday 11am-11pm

Website: http://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/