Monday, 23 February 2015

Shakespeare and Company

Rather incredibly it took me four trips to Paris to make it inside Shakespeare and Company, one of the most famous bookstores in the world. I can't believe it either, but I guess I usually manage to buy enough books accidentally when I'm away, I don't need to go deliberately searching out more books that I would naturally want to buy to stuff into my suitcase that will at some stage burst at the seams.



I knew exactly where it was of course. I've walked past many times, once this past trip there were people filming a movie maybe, or an ad, although there were only a few people, it wouldn't have been a big movie, but they did have one of those clapper things.

I always scan their events page before any trip to Paris. They have scads of great writerly events but these always seem to be just before I arrive in Paris, or just after I leave. I guess the Wicker boys were never keen to go either, although they wouldn't have discouraged me. Whatever the reasons for the delay, last year I finally made it inside. And it was fun.



Tempting books outside

and in


Of course I popped upstairs to the children's section. Just to check out what was on the shelves.





Noticeboards and Shaun Tan

I need to read this one. 

They don't like you taking photos of inside the shop apparently because of customer privacy, so I was careful not to include any customers. I did manage to escape without buying anything this day. Sadly I didn't come across their famous cat, Kitty, but there's always next time.

Some lucky folks get to stay in the shop (check out this link, it's amazing).

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog 
All About France a monthly
love fest for France
at

9 comments:

  1. Anonymous23 February 2015 at 18:27

    I love this place! My Paris-based friend took us there last time we were in Paris. How cool would it be to live in the bookstore?

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  2. Brona23 February 2015 at 18:54

    Definitely planning a visit here my time in Paris....whenever that will be....!?
    They filmed part of the Before Sunset/Sunrise trilogy here which adds to my intrigue factor :-)

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  3. Esme24 February 2015 at 12:41

    This is a fun bookstore-I have never seen the kitty. The Red Wheelbarrow was another good one (now closed). There is also a Canadian bookstore for one I need a little home.

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  4. Paulita 24 February 2015 at 14:41

    Louise, These are fun shots of Shakespear & Co. I've never been inside either. Thanks for playing along with Dreaming of France. Here’s my Dreaming of France meme

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  5. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz2 March 2015 at 01:41

    Happy you finally made it there. It was quite messy when I visited. But it was a good kind of mess.

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  6. Phoebe | Lou Messugo5 March 2015 at 01:37

    I came across you through the Dreaming of France linkup and happy to do so. Would you believe I lived in Paris for 10 years and probably got to this iconic shop in my last year there? Shaming really, I can't explain why as I LOVE bookshops. You might be interested in a lin up I run called #AllAboutFrance which opens tomorrow. I'd love to see you join in, your posts are perfect for it.

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  7. Phoebe | Lou Messugo9 March 2015 at 02:39

    So you did join up! Thank you.

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  8. Rebecca Beesley10 March 2015 at 09:06

    that bookshop looks amazing! Will have to add it to our list to do next time. #allaboutfrance

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  9. Betty Carlson13 March 2015 at 06:17

    I loved your photos of the bookshop. I have also walked past it many times, but I think I only went inside once -- and that was back in the 80s!

    I found your blog through #AllAboutFrance and it looks like you are very into expat/French expat books, so I am going to start following you!

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