After crossing off a great portion of the Paris must-sees on the list I composed upon my arrival, I made [yet] another list over the weekend; this one consists of items “off the beaten-path”, as a one might so boldly call it. One of the categories I added is old bookstores around Paris, a category that, in hindsight, seems like an obvious journey to be taken in any city. On Saturday morning I embarked on a mission to find 6 libraries unobtrusively resting in the corners of Paris; first on the list was Galignani. 1. There are a few perks to Galignani that would attract the average person: its location, its age, and its service. Found on Rue de Rivoli Galignani is passed by many a tourist (“so much for ‘off the beaten path’” was my obvious first reaction). A little disappointed both by its location and overly decorated windows, I stepped inside and was immediately reminded why I created this little adventure for myself- the rustic library was reeking of knowledge, insight, and old-age (the oldest English bookstore on the continent). I made a gradual tour of the place, all the while enchanted by the wooden-enclosure, the moving ladders, and the tea served in the back room. It was a good selection, though nothing out of the ordinary. Pleased with what I saw, I headed on to stop number deux.
2. I accidently stumbled upon Village Voice on Rue de Princesse (after getting lost on my way to another librarie) and was disappointed with the find. Unfortunately the only positive of Village Voice was the adorable street on which it lies. The shop was lacking the vintage that the others so beautifully expressed and offered a pathetic selection of works. Naturally drawn to the ‘Religion’ section I made my way upstairs and found 2 shelves labeled “Religions”. 2 Shelves? And only 1 C.S. Lewis book, that wasn’t even Mere Christianity…?? I left shortly after and continued on my way.
3. Leave it to the French to never work, Abbey Bookshop (or La Librairie Canadienne) was closed on a day they said they’d be open. But from the outside of the shop, and what I could see through the poster-plastered windows, the librarie looked super cute and my forgiving nature quickly kicked in. Matching the size of an RV and [literally] covering its floor with Canadian books, 29, Rue de la Parcheminerie’s distant charm won me over; I’m looking forward to returning when it decides to behave.
4. Shakespeare & Co. might possibly be the sweetest thing I’ve seen in a long time. This 2-story ‘librarie’ is a bookshop on the bottom and a library on top. It’s been placed in an old Parisian apartment that looks out onto the Seine and Notre Dame and is complete with cracking ceilings, squeaky floors, a winding staircase, and plenty of sharp turns. And to make sure you feel even more at home at Shake & Co. there’s a typewriter, a piano, a bed, plenty of sofas, and even a washing station for the visitors’ convenience. What’s more, the book selection is great and well organized- newer books and bestsellers towards the entrance, classics/Shakespeare in the center, and old ‘lost’ books tucked away in the back. I was so excited by the shop that I took a friend there today after a pique-nique in Jardin de Luxembourg, he’s been in Paris for 9 months and had never been, what a ‘Shakespearean tragedy’ ;-p
5. (The Red Wheelbarrow) and 6. (Tea and Tattered Pages) will have to wait for another day of exploration as I spent too long in the last place.
Interesting adventure..to find old bookstore/libraries. That last one looks like it could be in a Harry Potter movie.
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