Founded in 1826, Librairie Jousseaume is a Parisian treasure hidden inside Galerie Vivienne. Meet the man keeping it alive.
Step into Paris and you’ll quickly realize it’s a city that loves its stories on walls, in cafés, and especially in books. But tucked away from the usual tourist buzz, inside the glass-roofed elegance of Galerie Vivienne, you’ll find Librairie Jousseaume, a nearly 200-year-old bookshop.
Founded in 1826, this antique bookstore has seen revolutions, wars, literary movements, and the rise of the digital age. And yet, somehow, it’s still here, in large part thanks to Francois Jousseaume, the man who runs it.
A Family Story Written in Books
Part of what makes this place special is more than just its age (although that’s certainly a part of it), it’s the people behind it.
The shop was acquired by Francois Jousseaume’s great-grandfather back in 1890, and today, Francois is the one keeping everything alive. The store is more than a business for him; it’s a family legacy, it’s an heirloom passed down from loved one to another.
He probably grew up surrounded by the towering shelves, the smell of aged paper, and the soft murmur of customers flipping through pages. It’s the kind of childhood that cements a love of reading deep within you, and that passion is evident in Francois.
Since taking on the store, he’s made an effort to preserve not just the titles on his shelves, but the experience of visiting an independent bookstore and finding something magical.
Two Storefronts, One Goal
One of the strangest things about Librairie Jousseaume is the fact its split across two small stores facing each other across the narrow passage of the gallery. It’s not your typical spacious bookstore layout; it’s intimate and close, almost as if you’re stepping into a private collection.
In both stores, shelves stretch from the floor to the ceiling. They’re packed tightly with books, prints, and literary artefacts. It’s dense, chaotic, and completely enchanting. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a 200-year-old Parisian bookstore.
200 Years Of History
This shop specializes in rare and antique titles, particularly those from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Wandering around Librairie Jousseaume, you’ll find vintage novels with worn leather bindings, antique gravings and prints, first editions, and curiosities that you didn’t even know you were looking for.
One of the first things visitors notice when they visit Librairie Jousseaume is how unstructured it feels. The layout isn’t neat or overly organized. The store is a maze of towering shelves, stacked tables, and narrow pathways. Books have spilled into every available space, climbing walls and gathering in quiet corners.
But that’s not to say the collection isn’t carefully curated. You’ll find lots of art books, historical texts, travel writing, illustrated editions, and even out-of-print volumes.
Every shelf is like its own miniature time capsule, and it works to create an atmosphere unlike almost anywhere else. There’s a distinct scent, the kind only old books can create. It’s warm, cozy, and comforting, with the soft creak of wooden floors and whispered voices creating a brilliant soundscape. Add in the filtered light from the glass ceiling, and you’ve got a truly cinematic experience. Like something straight off of Pinterest.
A Living Archive
Francois sees Librairie Jousseaume as more than just a bookstore. To him, his job is more than just selling books. He’s there to preserve stories.
He sees the store as a living archive, almost like a bridge between the past, the present, and the future. Each book on his shelves carries a history.
As he puts it, the books have weathered time to connect us to centuries, to voices that we might never hear otherwise. In a world where everything is instant, digital, and disposable, that kind of connection feels rare. It feels worth preserving.
Protector Of The Written Word
Since taking over the bookstore, it’s been clear as day to Francois that he has a job to do. He’s worked tirelessly not just to run his family’s shop and to honor them, but to protect the written word.
Francois understands the importance of the titles he stocks; he knows that each book carries more than just the words on its pages. He knows the importance of maintaining and protecting old editions, unique prints, and vintage tales. Every decision he makes about the store is made with that knowledge in mind.
His story is featured in Protectors of the Written Word alongside 24 others who have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of reading.
The book offers a collection of inspiring journeys from around the world, written as a love letter to everyone who believes in the power of books. You can order your copy here.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
