Like a novel, Bookshop in the Marais, Paris, France
Comme un Roman is a bookshop on Rue de Bretagne in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, in the Marais neighborhood. Its shelves cover fiction, non-fiction, children's books, comics, and magazines, laid out across a single, well-organized floor with a large front window.
The bookshop was founded in 2001 by Karine Henry and Xavier Moni, two former teachers who wanted to create a space where reading felt natural and free. In 2007, it moved to its current, larger space near the Marché des Enfants Rouges.
The shop's name comes from a book by Daniel Pennac, in which he argues that reading should be a pleasure, not an obligation. This idea shapes how the booksellers work, always suggesting titles based on what the reader might genuinely enjoy rather than what they feel they should read.
The shop is on Rue de Bretagne, a street lined with cafes and small shops, making it easy to combine a visit with a walk through the Marais. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, with shorter hours on Sunday.
Both founders came from teaching before opening the shop, which may explain why conversations with the staff often feel more like a reading discussion than a sales exchange. The shop deliberately targets people who do not consider themselves readers, aiming to bring them to books through recommendations rather than obligation.
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