The World’s 3 Most Famous Bookstores

1. Shakespeare and Company (Paris, France)

Overview: Shakespeare and Company, located on Paris’s Left Bank, is more than just a bookstore; it’s a literary landmark. Founded by George Whitman in 1951, it continues the legacy of Sylvia Beach’s original Shakespeare and Company, which was a gathering place for the literary greats of the 1920s.

Why It’s Famous:

• Historical Significance: The original Shakespeare and Company was frequented by literary legends such as Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The current store has hosted writers like Allen Ginsberg and Anaïs Nin.

• Unique Atmosphere: The bookstore is a maze of small rooms, nooks, and crannies filled with books from floor to ceiling. Visitors are encouraged to sit and read, with some even staying overnight in exchange for working in the store.

• Cultural Hub: Shakespeare and Company regularly hosts readings, workshops, and literary festivals, making it a vibrant part of Paris’s cultural scene.

Must-See Features:

• The writers’ room with its typewriter and old photographs

• The wishing well where visitors can leave notes and wishes

• The upstairs reading rooms with cozy seating