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Shakespeare and Company

Shakespeare and Company

Shakespeare and Company
4.5
Speciality & Gift ShopsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
12:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Monday
12:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
12:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
12:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
12:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday
12:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
12:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
12:30 PM - 7:00 PM
About
Shakespeare and Company is an English-language bookshop in the heart of Paris, on the banks of the Seine, opposite Notre-Dame. Since opening in 1951, it’s been a meeting place for anglophone writers and readers, becoming a Left Bank literary institution. In order to maintain a pleasant environment for our readers and browsers, we are unable to admit large groups (such as tour groups and school classes), or visitors with luggage or large backpacks. We also ask that visitors do not take photos or film inside the bookshop.
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The area

Address
Neighborhood: 5th Arr. - Panthéon
How to get there
  • St-Michel – Notre-Dame • 2 min walk
  • Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame • 2 min walk
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See what travelers are saying

  • RonL40
    Utica, New York3,720 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don't forget to check out the used books alcove!
    We were looking forward to visiting Shakespeare & Company on our first day in Paris. After a short walk from our apartment, we first enjoyed the cafe adjacent to the bookstore. Lots of seating, very friendly service, lots of tables inside and out with a view of Notre Dame. We loved the used books alcove! Found a book we'd been looking for four years. In the main section of the bookstore, there may be a short wait to enter because of the. number of people in the store. But once you get in, you'll be amazed by the size and the quality of the books. Huge selection of quality paperbacks to tempt you. And the Reading Room upstairs was very inviting as well. Fun introduction to Paris for us.
    Visited November 2023
    Written November 14, 2023
  • sskroll
    Orlando, Florida1,113 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Place
    Although the bookstore wasn't open yet on the day we visited there is a cafe next door. It has a great menu and also offers select books from the bookstore and also some souvenir items. Reasonably priced.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 21, 2023
  • Steph
    Toronto, Canada234 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    All bookworms should visit
    It's an institution and I'd definitely recommend it. It had a small line going out the door, but it moved quickly. All the staff were lovely and spoke both French and English. The shop is filled to the brim with a great selection of all genres, while also being extremely homey. Shoutout to the lovely girl at cash who was very friendly and nice despite have a lot of people to deal with.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written December 6, 2023
  • EPottawa
    Ottawa, Canada476 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don't miss it!
    Just go! I had been to Paris many times but never stopped in. It was wonderful and everyone in the place (visitors) obviously love books. The quiet space upstairs was quiet and you could channel the vibe of your favourite author sitting at the typewriter. The books get stamped with a Shakespeare and Co. mark which makes a lovely souvenir for a book you'd buy anyway!
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 21, 2023
  • Younga87
    Laurel, Maryland11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fabulous bookshop
    The most unique bookstore I’ve ever visited. A wonderful selection and the upstairs reading room is something you cannot skip! You can see and feel the antiquity and historic beauty of not only the building, but the books housed within.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 27, 2023
  • Michelle S
    St. Petersburg, Florida219 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must see for book lovers
    Loved this bookstore! I love reading, I love history, and I love iconic spots - you get it all here. Be sure to read up on the history of the store before you visit. Purchase a book while you are here and ask for the special wrapping paper. They will wrap it, add a postcard and spray it with perfume. A very nice gift to take home.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 1, 2024
  • Angelo Z
    Crawford, Texas333 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a stop
    Really now this historic bookshop is to me just a place to say you been. Expect a line and for it to be very crowded inside. Most of the books are paperbacks and from what I can tell are priced at a premium because they are makes from the shop. Worth a stop if you want to mark it off your Paris list.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 19, 2024
  • Ole Blue Eyes
    Tustin, California186 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loved it!
    Took my mother and 11 year old daughter here one late afternoon. Waited in the queue for maybe 10 minutes, no big problem there. It’s not a large bookstore but it is historically significant and has some charm to it. The selection of books in English is quite large and prices were fair. Of course I got The Humpback of Notre Dame! It was a fun experience and they even stamp the inside of your books with their signature logo. Pretty cool.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written July 11, 2024
  • Ryan Otto Ulrich
    468 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Le Mistral
    Every time I'm in Paris, I try to come here. It's a great bookstore with a decent inventory and very knowledgeable staff who always manage to be friendly and hospitable, despite my flagrant violation of the photography guidelines when snapping a picture of this book that happens to have my middle name on the cover. I know this is a stop on the tourist route through town, yet it still retains so much charm for me. Give it a go; it's a piece of history, and we're all quite grateful it survived the COVID-19 era.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written July 14, 2024
  • angele
    Ann Arbor, Michigan180 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Friendly!
    If you love books, reading and or writing… or watched or read anything set in Paris, yiu e heard of this place. Yes, there’s a line to go in but it moves fast and the people that work there are very nice and helpful! I was hoping they had more used books than they had and they were out of the book I was looking for, but I found another :) And it was by an author I love and somehow had never heard of the book before as it is popular in Europe but not in America! My daughter found a few books too. Plus had to get their cute book tote. Prices were reasonable and I love that they stamp the books as bought there! Make sure to read the signs outside. Live the vibe. Look up a bit of the history of you haven’t. It’s small and a must for readers/writers to stop here!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles4,053 reviews
Excellent
2,550
Very good
1,077
Average
313
Poor
66
Terrible
48

duck8to
Montville, NJ6,814 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
It is what a great bookstore ought to be. This English language bookstore which lies on the left bank on the seine river and opposite Notre Dame is stepped in great history. Founded in 1951 by an american George Whitman it is an institution and meeting place for English writers and readers.. Rare books and hard to find books, Indie publishers, curated and best sellers can all be found in this two story bookshop. Photos of great writers and artists decorate the walls along with quotes and epithets. The winding staircases to the upper floor and small open areas where patrons can sit and read on comfortable chairs added to the charm and experience. Unfortunately, the owner does not want photos taken of the interior.

It was Sylvia Beach in 1919 that first founded the original Shakespeare and company and it quickly became the gathering place for expat writers of the time like Joyce, Hemingway, Stein, Fitzgerald, Elliot and Pound. Their ghost add to the mystery of this literary hangout. Later writers like James Baldwin and Allen Ginsberg carried on the tradition. Over the years over 30,000 young writers and artists have slept among the many bookcases in this Harry Potteresque bookstore.

Books are reasonably priced considering you are in the heart of Paris. The Shakespeare & Company Cafe is located next door. they serve coffee, tea,fresh squeezed juices, as well as, organics, cakes, scones,and vegetarian dishes. If you buy book they will stamp it "Shakespeare & company". They also have tote bags with the Shakespeare & Company name stitched on the outside.
Written June 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia51,746 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is an unusual and quite unique bookshop. It has an interesting history which goes back to 1951 and perhaps as far as 1919. The first store with the Shakespeare and Company name opened in 1919, and it both acted as a shop as well as a lending library, until its closure during the German occupation in 1941. Then another one, unrelated, opened in 1951 with a different name, until it adopted the Shakespeare and Company name in 1964. The place is very busy and full of visitors, either looking for books or looking busy! The books are generally reasonably priced, but then you don't have to buy any if you don't want to! There is a cafe right next door with the same name. That is probably relaxation spot.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heinie Hartendorp
Dubai, United Arab Emirates375 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
There's something about places that emit the start of brilliance, greatness, and tradition.

Having to sit down on that iconic bench and go through the stores (separated by the rare books and the common qnd modern book selections), you just feel invigorated with the positive energy flowing here.

I didn't go up, but my wife said there was a cat up there :)
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kennedy
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
After about 20-30 minutes in line, we entered the store and were allowed to spend as much time inside as we wanted. We spent an hour browsing and taking in the store, exploring upstairs and downstairs. You may spend less if you are looking for a specific book rather than taking it in as a tourist stop.

There are no photos allowed inside to protect other shoppers, which I appreciate.

They stamped the book I bought with a "Shakespeare & Company" stamp which is such a cool souvenir. I bought a book, a t-shirt, and a tote bag for €58. A little expensive but for me, worth it.

Gorgeous experience and there's sooooo many books.
Written March 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RnATC04
Sandy, UT44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
this is an historic bookstore which doubles as a museum. it gets really packed with people and is free except when you buy books. (any book you buy they will put a stamp in it, which is kind of neat) the store has a great story and it only took us around 10-15 mins to get in. they only allow so many in at a time and it is not too large and there are lots of turns and tons of books. take your time here and this is a must see if youre a bookworm and i really enjoyed learning about the stores history.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gerausswit
Pennsylvania408 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Went on a Thursday morning in January-no waiting and the store was not crowded. Bought several more books than I thought I would-a nice selection and some beautiful versions of some of the classics. If you enjoy books, make sure to come here!
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Winn
San Francisco, CA15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
It was a little crowded when I stopped by (around 6-7 PM), but I still had a bit of room to explore and actually browse the shelves.

The catalog of books leans more on new blockbuster releases and perennial bestsellers. So if you're looking for more variety, then this may not be the best bookstore for you. That being said, I did spot of few cool editions that I purchased. If you do buy, make sure your sales clerk stamps the book with the Shakespeare and Company logo.

And check out the reading room upstairs! There's a cute cat chilling up there.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katie M
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Security staff in Paris are out of control. I received a What’s App message (my 14 yo non French speaking child was lost outside the store) whilst in the store and the security guard remanded to be given my phone so he could delete photos. Total tourist trap. Buy your books at Waterstones before you get to this awful tourist trap designed to fleece you. Security guards empowered to violate customers privacy and seem to think they can lay hands on customers. I didn’t take a photo in this awful place and nobody should be manhandled in what is a very overpriced tourist trap. Awful don’t go
Written September 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SassyGirl S
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
A tourist trap, clearly listed in every tourist guide on the planet Earth. Long lines, one salesperson not only spoke to me, insultingly, using obscene language, but I was also quoted multiple prices for the same book all much higher than Amazon. Worse experience I ever had in France. No longer the refuge of the English-speaking expat community in Paris, writers, and starving artists intended by Sylvia Beach. Avoid at all costs. Photo opp outside the shop is enough, save your money for a nice meal at a French restaurant, instead.
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scotlandmac
Glasgow, UK14,530 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
It's jam packed, very old, stuffed with all sorts of literary goodies and for a bookaholic, great fun and not to be missed.Prices are Paris prices, even for books.Photos of great writers and artists on the walls, narrow winding staircase to the upper floor and little break our areas to sit and read (while being jostled and bumped into by all and sundry.)Loved the place and the cafe next door which has the sort of good home made cakes and scones not usually found in Paris and which I always crave when in mainand Europe.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Shakespeare and Company - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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