Planning your Paris trip? Discover 22 must-see spots for book lovers, from riverside stalls to historic libraries and charming cafés.
Paris has long been a haven for writers and readers, and here are 22 bookish places that prove its literary magic still thrives.
Hôtel Littéraire Le Swann
This is one hotel with “literary” right in the name. Every room of Hôtel Littéraire Le Swann features unique artwork and references to the works of Marcel Proust, a famous French writer best known for his novel In Search of Lost Time.
Among other typical amenities like free Wi-Fi, bar, spa, and gym, the hotel has an elegant library with subtle imagery of the famous writer set behind bookshelves and curtains. Even if you’ve never heard of Proust, it’s a place any book lover can enjoy.
La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa
A few mere steps from the Champs-Élysées stands La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa. It’s big on sumptuous décor and personalized service—the kind of thing you’d expect of a five-star hotel.
Bibliophiles will be especially pleased with the Duc de Morny Library, an on-site restaurant and meeting space. Though open to only guests in the morning, anyone can make a lunch reservation and enjoy the luxuriant, green velvet chairs and wooden shelves holding 3,000 books.
Saint James Paris
Set in a neoclassical 19th-century mansion with a truly impressive façade, Saint James Paris promises all the grandeur you could hope for from a Parisian hotel. Of special note is its book bar (classically named “The Library Bar”), filled with elegant decor and plush armchairs and sofas.
The Library Bar has a calm, restrained vibe, and much like the library in La Réserve Paris, it has set times for hotel guests and for when it’s open to the public—in this case, guests can come in from 8:30 AM, but everyone else has to wait until 7 PM. At least it’s open until midnight!
Shakespeare and Company
We’ve mentioned Paris’s renowned English-language bookstore Shakespeare and Company before—and for good reason. Founded by an American, George Whitman, in 1951, its name pays homage to an earlier bookstore by Sylvia Beach that began in 1919, which sadly closed in 1941.
Nowadays, it is quite possible that Paris’s most famous English bookstore sells new and secondhand texts. It also has a café that provides baked goods and coffee sourced from local businesses.
The Abbey Bookshop
While Shakespeare and Company might be the most famous English-language bookstore in Paris, it’s far from the only popular one—starting with the Abbey Bookshop. It has been around since 1989 and is housed in the 18th-century Hôtel Dubuisson, notable for its grand, arched entryway and white brick flooring.
It holds over 40,000 English titles, ranging from scholarly works to popular literature, with a notable focus on Canadian books, which is practically a given since it was first established by a Canadian. It’s the local go-to for expat Canadians and other local English speakers.
San Francisco Book Company
Not too far from the Abbey is San Francisco Book Company, another beloved English-language used bookstore. This one distinguishes itself with its bright red storefront mimicking the color of San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Bridge—a stand-out in the muted-colored buildings around it.
Its shelves are packed with an extensive selection of secondhand books of all sorts—fiction, mysteries, science fiction, academic subjects, and more—all in a friendly and easy-going space.
Sainte-Geneviève Library
The Sainte-Geneviève Library was designed by Henri Labrouste and built between 1842 and 1850 using some of the most creative and admired techniques of the time. It has a double-barrel vaulted roof decorated with exposed cast iron arches and supported by thin iron columns in a bold, deep black.
The library’s collection includes texts from the 6th century. As one might expect, it’s mostly in French, but even if you don’t speak the language, the beauty and uniqueness of the architecture are something everyone can appreciate.
TASCHEN Paris
Art lovers everywhere will be gratified to know that Paris has a top-notch bookshop specializing in all things art—and that is TASCHEN Paris. Created by the publishing company TASCHEN Books, their Paris store is the company’s very first branded store, designed with an elegant yet restrained feel.
The store offers a vast collection of art books, photography, architecture, fashion, and more, mainly in French, but with a few in other languages like English and German.
Comptoirs Les Deux Magots
Comptoirs Les Deux Magots has been around since 1884. It touts a history as a hotspot for creative figures, particularly in jazz and literature. Its seating area is simple but warm, lined with books and black-and-white photos of some of those iconic figures.
Though it primarily functions as a café, it has a Bookseller’s Corner (Le Coin du Libraire) with an assortment of books and stationery, making it a nice stop for a travel-weary book lover to take a breather.
Mazarine Library
Founded in 1643, the Mazarine Library (or Bibliothèque Mazarine) is France’s oldest public library. Originally the private collection of Cardinal Mazarin, it was made free to the public and today contains over 600,000 volumes, including rare manuscripts and early printed books.
Many visitors drop by to see the spacious 17th-century reading room, lined with elaborate, composite columns and busts of historic figures. Even without the touristy bits, though, the library is a treasure trove of history and literature, and is open to all seeking learning or quiet reflection.
Bouquinistes of the Seine
This particular site isn’t a singular store or library, but instead a series of open-air stalls running along the banks of the Seine. Booksellers have been setting up stalls around the Seine since the 17th century, and are recognizable by their signature green color. Nowadays, there are around 200 bouquinistes carrying used and antiquarian books, vintage postcards, prints, and collectibles.
UNESCO declared these booksellers a World Heritage site in 1991, as these stalls form a living symbol of Parisian literary culture, unique to the city and beloved by visitors and locals alike.
Bibliothèque de l’Hôtel de Ville
Located within Paris’s City Hall, the Bibliothèque de l’Hôtel de Ville in Paris harkens from the late 19th century with warm oak paneling and a high, barrel-vaulted ceiling dotted with mosaic skylights.
The library holds city archives and documents focusing on Paris’s political, economic, social, and cultural history, including architectural drawings related to the city’s design. Access is open to all adults (must be 18+) who want to do research; you just need to bring ID and a registration form to apply for a library card.
La Mouette Rieuse – Librairie
This independent bookstore and café is a veritable hub for the local literary scene. It stocks around 30,000 books of varying topics alongside a unique and colorful selection of stationery, gift items, and art. The store has a bright, welcoming atmosphere and plays host to book signings and discussions throughout the year.
The café side, meanwhile, is practically an art gallery, displaying pieces for guests to admire while sipping on coffee, munching on a pastry, or enjoying a full meal.
The Used Book Café at Merci
Sitting pretty at Merci’s cobbled courtyard is the Used Book Café. Guests are free to read from (though not take home) the café’s extensive library, which is mostly in French with a small English section. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy a good book for times when you don’t have one on you, without the pressure of having to actually buy what you’re browsing.
But naturally, the café’s main standout is its menu. Both its drinks and food items are trendy and delicious, offering cute latte art alongside babka carrot cake, pumpkin soup, and avocado toast.
Librairie Jousseaume
Though it may look small from the outside, this is one bookstore you don’t want to underestimate. Open since 1826, the historic Librairie Jousseaume is situated in the elegant Galerie Vivienne.
Renowned for its old-world charm, dark wooden shelves, and vintage décor, it specializes in rare, antique, and second-hand books—plus some prints and engravings thrown in as a nice bonus. Though popular among tourists (it’s in a very famous spot, after all), locals also love it for its knowledgeable and friendly owner, eager to help fellow book lovers in search of a good book.
Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) – Richelieu
The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) is France’s national library, and has two main locations: one modern and one historic. Richelieu is the historic one, housed in a centuries-old former palace.
Richelieu possesses some of the most stunning architecture you’ll see in France, with one reading room, Salle Labrouste, designed with vaulted ceilings supported by thin iron columns. This one is for researchers only, but visitors can still glimpse inside from the entrance. Its other reading room, Salle Ovale, is even more iconic, and better yet, is open to all. It’s dominated by a massive, oval-shaped skylight and covered floor-to-ceiling in intricate, opulent detailing.
Librairie Galignani
Established in 1801, Librairie Galignani is the oldest English-language bookstore on the European continent, making it an impressive part of Parisian history. The interior is simple with an understated elegance in the aged, parquet wooden floors, and Grecian-style columns supporting the roof.
Family-run for six generations, it offers thousands of titles in English and French. It has an especially nice section of books on architecture, fine arts, and other visual media topics.
Bar Perché
This literary-themed café and rooftop bar can be found on the 7th floor of Printemps Homme. It offers a fantastic view of the city and is truly a must-visit on a clear day, when guests will be able to see as far as the Eiffel Tower.
The interior is laid back and bohemian, featuring a decent selection of books and games that guests are welcome to use while eating refreshments or drinking coffee or a cocktail. It’s a great place to relax while enjoying one of the best views in the city.
BKNK (Book Nook)
BKNK (also known as Book Nook) is a chic yet coffee shop and bookstore partnered with the publishing house Beta Publisher. It offers a warm, inviting space with a subtle elegance and plenty of armchairs to lounge in.
The bookstore side offers a decent array of books (primarily French) and some very nice coffee. The menu is small but tasty, including seasonal pastries and brunch items. BKNK also hosts reading clubs, helping to foster a community where readers, authors, and publishers connect.
Halle Saint-Pierre
Halle Saint-Pierre is a cultural center like no other, set in a historic 19th-century iron-and-glass market hall. The architecture is well suited to the center’s focus on art brut and outsider art, offering a clear backdrop for vibrant exhibitions featuring contemporary and avant-garde art.
All told, it features a museum, gallery, bookshop, café, and auditorium. The bookstore specializes in art publications—pretty appropriate, considering the place is half art gallery. While the bookstore is free to browse and anyone can grab a bite at the café, the exhibitions have an entry fee.
Péniche L’Eau et les Rêves
Moored along the Canal de l’Ourcq, Librairie L’Eau et les Rêves is a unique bookstore and café on a boat filled with lush potted plants. It’s quite fitting, too, as its collection (primarily in French) specializes in nature, gardening, and ecology.
Its greenhouse-like café, meanwhile, is both relaxing and aesthetically pleasing, serving up a fresh, colorful menu with treats like charcuterie boards and several mouth-watering fish-based dishes, plus coffee, desserts, and cocktails on the side.
Marché du Livre Ancien et d’Occasion
Resting in the covered halls along Parc Georges Brassens, travelers can find the Marché du Livre Ancien et d’Occasion (Marché du Livre for short), a book market that comes alive every weekend.
Specializing in antiquarian and secondhand books, this market has been held since 1987 and features around dozens of stalls with books ranging from the 19th century on up (sometimes earlier). It attracts local bibliophiles, collectors, and tourists alike, eager to uncover literary treasures in French, English, and multiple other languages in this unique Parisian setting.
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K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
