Shakespeare and Company, Independent bookstore in Latin Quarter, Paris, France
Shakespeare and Company is an English-language bookshop on rue de la Bûcherie in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, filled with shelves of new and used volumes. The space spreads across two levels, with a reading area upstairs featuring chairs and benches.
George Whitman opened the shop in 1951 under the name Le Mistral. Thirteen years later he changed the name to honor Sylvia Beach's legendary shop from the interwar period.
The name honors Sylvia Beach's famous shop that drew American writers in the 1920s. Today authors and readers from around the world meet here, often at readings held on the upper floor.
The shop opens every day from ten in the morning until eleven at night, leaving time to browse in the evening. The shelves stand close together, so visiting outside the afternoon rush works better.
More than thirty thousand writers have slept in the shop as part of the Tumbleweed program, working a few hours in exchange. Many slept on cots between the bookshelves and signed a guest book.
Location: 5th arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 1951
Founders: George Whitman
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-23:00
Phone: +33143254093
Email: news@shakespeareandcompany.com
Website: http://shakespeareandcompany.com
GPS coordinates: 48.85257,2.34711
Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:50
Paris combines historic architecture with cultural institutions in ways that have drawn couples for generations. The city offers a mix of 19th-century parklands, bridges spanning the Seine, and street cafes that invite lingering. From the galleries of the Louvre to the cobbled paths of Montmartre,...
The historic libraries and bookstores of Europe keep collections of books gathered over many centuries. The Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon has been in the same place since 1732, while the Bodleian Library in Oxford, founded in 1602, now holds more than 13 million books. In Porto, the Livraria Lello...
Point zéro des routes de France
154 m
Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
71 m
Saint-Séverin
134 m
Parvis Notre-Dame - place Jean-Paul-II
140 m
Théâtre de la Huchette
137 m
Archeological crypt of the île de la Cité
119 m
Charlemagne et ses Leudes
100 m
Pont au Double
90 m
Petit Pont
85 m
Robinier du Square Viviani
44 m
Quai Saint-Michel
143 m
Rue des Prêtres-Saint-Séverin
152 m
Hôtel Colbert
161 m
Square André-Lefèbvre
158 m
Jardin de la place Jean-Paul-II
113 m
Église Saint-Blaise de Paris
58 m
Presbytery of Notre-Dame de Paris
157 m
Philanthro-Lab
131 m
Maison des étudiants
131 m
6 rue du Fouarre, Paris
98 m
Studio Galande
104 m
Pipe organ in Saint-Séverin church (Paris)
134 m
Ancienne faculté de médecine
131 m
Cloître de l'église Saint-Séverin
143 m
Hôtel de Laffemas
41 m
Square Pierre-Gilles-de-Gennes
18 m
Hôtel Lesseville
89 m
Maison des trois porcelets
154 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes