Bookstores in Paris
 

Someone can recommend a good bookstore in Paris?...I am mexican, so, I will be looking for books ins spanish, french and english.<BR><BR>Thank you!

Gibert-Jeune is a HUGE bookstore with several stores right near the St-Michel m&eacute;tro stop on the left bank in the Latin Quarter. Lots of other good bookstores are scattered around it as well. You'll find books in many languages.

I love poking around in Shakspere & Co.!<BR>It's located on the left bank right south of Norte Dame.

I 2nd what Wendy says. Love it!! It's a very serendipitous experience!! And I imagine that there are many books there in many different languages.

There are two bookstores on the Rue du Rivoli, one is a WhSmith and I the other name escapes me, but it is two blocks down towards the Place du Concorde. They have many languages available.<BR><BR>Wendy

Thanks for all your recommendations!

How about Brentano's? They are on the Ave. de l'Opera.

The other bookstore on rue de Rivoli is Galignani "the oldest English bookstore established on the continent", as their advertising goes (and it's true: 18th Century ! ). Quite an atmospheric place to browse, much more pleasant than WH Smith. Village Voice is also a nice place on rue Cassette in the 6th. For all kinds of languages, go to Nouveau Quartier Latin on bd Saint-Michel. Unfortunately, there are no good Spanish language bookstores in Paris, in spite of the presence of a large hispanic community. The Librairie espagnole on rue de Seine is an institution, but very disappointing as far as the actual display on offer. But of course if you are looking for a mega bookstore with a European twist, you should visit one of the FNACs, especially the Fnac Ternes in the 17th, av. des Ternes, metro Ternes. Montparnasse on rue de Rennes is OK too.

Galeries Lafayette has a pretty good-sized book department, lots of pretty picture books as well as some books in English and Spanish.

That reminds me- La Samaratine (sp) also has a very large bookstore/dept. inside.

You can buy books at home on the internet. Why waste your precious traveling time looking at books when you can do so many other things that you can't do at home? Look up, look out, and enjoy the beauty of the city.

It depends what kind of books you want and, I agree, what's available where you live. I only buy French books in France, not English, because there is a better selection and price over there than when I have to import them. I definitely like Gibert Jeune on bd St-Michel (the branch at corner of rue de l'ecole de medecine) and the FNAC on rue de Rennes for general all purpose stuff, travel, literature, history, etc. There is a little bookstore around the corner from Dallyou's patisserie on rue de Medicis in tyhe 6th which has some nice art, architecture, coffee-table type books. Hune on bd St-Germain (next to Cafe Flore) is more intellectual, good architecture, photography, literature, and philosophy. If I want cheap throwaway paperbacks (novels) for a train trip or while in Paris, I buy them at Monoprix. There are also some cheap paperback bookstores now where you can get French classics very cheaply (such as Zola, Hugo, etc), only a few dollars-- the chain's name is Maxi Livres and two in St-Germain are at 60 rue St-Andre des Arts and 16 bd St-Michel. These have some art books, also, as I recall. <BR><BR>I don't think it will pay to buy English-language books in Paris, they are expensive due to being imported; might as well buy them on the internet, I agree. I'd also suggest Village Voice in the 6th for those; I thought it was on rue Princesse, however.

Peter, each to his/her own, but to me, browsing in a bookstore, even if I don't understand a word of the local language (eg China or Japan)is part of the visiting experience. Believe me, each country has different bookstores and bookstore culture. Christina, I think you are right: Village Voice is rue Princesse (I always get the two strets mixed up). Last thing: in France book prices are fixed (max discount: 5 % ), so there's no need to shop around to find the best price, whether you are in a fancy Rive gauche bookshop or a Carrefour hypermarket in some God forsaken place in Limousin, the price will be the same.

I love the Village Voice on Rue Princesse, and always load up on books while I'm there. Why? -- European bookstores get paperback editions of some books much more quickly than in the states. They also have incredible international selection. And, they often have books in print that I am unable to find at home (and I live between San Francisco and Berkeley!). Of the stores mentioned above, I think Village Voice has the best selection and ambiance.

Thank you Christina, Vincent and Nan!...I will be looking for literature and philosophy books, so your recommendations sound very reliable. I also agree with Vincent about the experience of visiting bookstores!<BR><BR>Thanks to all the people who shared your experience with me!<BR><BR>Adriana<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><B R><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Village Voice on Rue Princesse!!!