Shakespeare and Co is a crowded, cramped bookstore right next to an awesome bar (L'Espace Petit Pont) and Notre Dame. You have to fight your way through the piles of books (and rude people) to find what you want. You have to make the cashier stamp your book if you want it, otherwise she won't do it. Rude staff, dirty... more

As a lifelong Francophile and bookworm, this shop is one of my favourite places on earth. It serves as my home away from home (away from home, I suppose) whenever I'm in Paris, and I'm always delighted to find how little it has changed since I first set foot in it as a backpacker more than quarter of a century... more

This wonderful little old bookstore is named in honor of the original Sylvia Beach store once located at 12 Rue de l'Odeon. That shop, not this one, was the gathering place for lost generation folk like Hemingway. Nonetheless, it's an important post-war literary landmark. George Whitman started the store in the 50's at the recommendation of a friend, San Francisco... more

From looking outside, it seemed to be a very cool atmosphere; step inside and the employees acted as though you are imposing on them to be in the store. Besides being made fun of, books taken out of my hand and just all in all rude, I recommend proceeding with caution when entering. I love books/reading and was excited to... more

Shakespeare & Co may have charm but if you want to find a book then I'd suggest Village Voice. Their cat (Shakespeare & Co) was not friendly either (it took a swipe at me and I like cats). S&Co is in a great location but it was just too packed and disorganised for me. I can appreciate what the owner... more

My husband and I were in Paris at the end of August and visited Shakespeare and Co. because it was the hangout of Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Joyce among other literary greats. The original owner, Sylvia Beach, got Joyce published. The bookstore is not in its original location--don't know when it was moved but not recently. The college kids working there... more

I love this little book store (although it has so many corners and tiny rooms that it's bigger than it looks like). Every time I come to Paris I go there. Just to feel the atmosphere. I buy a couple of inexpensive books and I look for the owner. He is old and grumpy and I understand if the college... more

Lovely neighborhood, beautiful atmosphere...Shakespere and Co is a great bookstore, another highlight on your sightseeing tour. The place does have a cool cachet to it, like visiting your naughty great aunt's old house in the city. One can get a crooked neck looking at all the book titles, pictures, quotes lining the walls. Do buy some books. Do take pictures.... more

This place is must visit for booklovers who visit Paris. Don't miss this one! The collection, atmosphere, location, just great. But be prepared to spend 1-2 hours in this store since it has quite large number of collections and spread everywhere, and don't forget to get "Kilometre Zero" stamp for the book you buy. more