What is Paris hiding in a small bookstore?

The charm of Paris doesn't just come from the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, or the brightly lit streets, but also from the small, beautiful gems hidden within the city. Shakespeare and Company bookstore is one of them. Nestled modestly on the banks of the Seine River with views of Notre Dame Cathedral, Shakespeare and Company is a place where people come to immerse themselves in books and feel the history of a place that holds great significance for lovers of literature and art.

The rebirth of a legendary bookstore.

The journey of Shakespeare and Company began in 1919, after the end of World War I, when Sylvia Beach, an American woman, opened a small bookstore at 12 Rue de l'Odéon in Paris. This was not just a place to sell books, but also an open library, a familiar destination for famous authors such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot, Gertrude Stein, and many other freelance artists in the City of Lights at the time. Here, they discussed literature, sought and shared inspiration for their works, and created timeless masterpieces.

It was also considered a refuge for the "lost generation"—young people emerging from the devastating war and yearning to find a path for their future. Amidst the glamorous city, Shakespeare and Company offered them what they needed: a warm and comfortable atmosphere, a creative and open community, and an inspiring environment. Thus, the bookstore quickly established itself as a hidden gem among artists, nestled in the glittering and dreamy lights of Paris.

In 1941, when the Nazis invaded the city, Shakespeare and Company was forced to close. The disappearance of the bookstore left a huge void in the artistic community at the time. However, the story of this extraordinary bookstore did not end there.

In 1951, George Whitman, a friend of Sylvia Beach, opened a bookstore called Le Mistral. Shortly afterward, he renamed it Shakespeare and Company, both to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the birth of the great writer William Shakespeare and as a tribute to Sylvia's past contributions. This marked the revival of a legendary name.

Continuing the spirit of a used bookstore, this place has once again become a gathering place for literature lovers, amateur writers just starting their careers, and even famous authors. Regular visitors include Richard Wright, Anais Nin, Allen Ginsberg, Henry Miller, James Jones…

Today, the bookstore is managed by Sylvia Whitman, daughter of George Whitman. While preserving the original essence of Shakespeare and Company, Sylvia also strives to expand the bookstore's activities by organizing festivals, literary competitions for independent, unpublished authors, and free weekly literary events for book lovers.

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An icon of the Parisian capital.

Located in the heart of Paris, right on the banks of the Seine and just steps from Notre Dame Cathedral, Shakespeare and Company is beloved not only by locals but also attracts tourists interested in art and culture. The bookstore primarily sells English-language books, including both newly printed, high-quality editions and antique books with a pleasant, vintage feel.

The experience of stepping into Shakespeare & Company is unlike any other bookstore. The distinctive blue door opens into a small kingdom of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves bathed in warm yellow light. On a few blank walls are quotations from famous books, further enriching the visitor's experience, enveloping them in a world of literature, of words, sentences, and stories from the past.

The small, cramped space, spread across two floors, might seem to contain nothing but books, but it hides impressive little corners with interesting details like an antique typewriter, a piano, a wicker chair, or a lazy cat nestled on a rug... If you have the chance to visit the second floor of the bookstore, perhaps you should try looking out the window at a peaceful Paris, with the gentle Seine River and the ancient Notre Dame Cathedral.

"I built this bookstore the way one writes a novel, with each chapter being a room. I want people to open the door as if they were opening a book, and step into the wondrous world of imagination," George Whitman once said.

Because Shakespeare and Company's name is associated with the generation of famous writers of the 1900s, the best-selling books here are familiar titles such as The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ulysses by James Joyce, or the works of Ernest Hemingway... Each book purchased comes with the distinctive Shakespeare and Company seal as a commemorative gift.

The image of Shakespeare and the Company also features prominently in classic romantic films of the era, such as Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris and Richard Linklater's Before Sunset, as a romantic symbol of the city of Paris.

The home of dreamers

Going back in time to the 1930s, amidst the Great Depression, young American George Whitman, then in his early twenties, embarked on an adventure across America, through Mexico and stopping in Central America.

With only 40 dollars in his pocket, George traveled the roads, taking on various jobs to continue his exploration. Once, he fell seriously ill in a remote area of Yucatan, too weak to seek help on his own. Fortunately, a tribe of Mayans found him and cared for him until he recovered. This kindness and generosity, along with countless encounters during his journey, deeply influenced George and shaped his philosophy: “Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise.” This is also the philosophy of Shakespeare and Company, “as a reward for the hospitality I have received.”

With that perspective in mind, from its very beginnings, the bookstore became a home for wandering artists. They were invited to stay, sleeping overnight on small beds placed among the bookshelves. These guests were called Tumbleweeds – meaning "rolling grass" that doesn't take root in the soil but drifts on the wind.

Each person who stays here has their own story, their own purpose. Whether seeking refuge in the bustling city, trying to spark creative inspiration, or simply needing a new experience, they will likely find some fulfillment in the warm, friendly, and communal atmosphere at Shakespeare and Company. Over its 70 years of operation, the bookstore has served as a temporary haven for over 30,000 writers and artists from around the world.

Here, Tumbleweeds are required to read a book each day, help out in the shop, and return a one-page autobiography to the bookstore. Each generation leaves behind its own little stories, creating thousands of chapters in the unique, enormous "novel" that Shakespeare and Company possesses.