Paris was the first European city I visited and absolutely fell in love with. Why, you ask? I could give you so many reasons but let me start with this one. Shakespeare and Company, possibly my favourite bookstore ever, is in Paris.
Apart from the fact that it is a world famous independent bookstore, Shakespeare and Company is a haven for aspiring writers. Not only does it offer them a space to write and meet and connect with each other, but also to sleep for the night in exchange for working in the store. Such a unique concept!
It is set in a beautiful corner facing the river Seine near Notre Dame Cathedral. Nestled under the cherry blossoms – this legendary bookshop is as idyllic as it can get.
Cherry Blossoms
Pretty location
I was charmed before even stepping a foot inside the shop. There were enough books laid randomly in rustic bookshelves outside the shop to distract me.
Rustic bookshelves
After a bit of a browse, I went inside into this magical world that any book-lover would love to get lost in. There were books everywhere my eyes could follow. Undeterred by the un-orderly, haphazard, almost chaotic display of books, I kept exploring this place, room after room.
Crooked bookshelves
Tucked away corners
There were nooks and corners where one could simply sit and read and forget every single care in this world. The walls were covered with little notes, written by visitors and readers, each with a beautiful message or story left behind for you to indulge in.
Curl up and grab a book
And just when I thought it could not get more charming than this, I heard someone playing a piano in one of the rooms. And to that tune, I sat down with a book and forgot every single care in this world.
Fun fact – Shakespeare and Company has been featured in Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy’s Before Sunset movie. Before Sunrise and Before Sunset are my all-time favourite movies! Just saying 🙂
Website: https://shakespeareandcompany.com/
Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
