Book shopping in France
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A
Shakespeare & Company
Paris’ most famous English-language bookshop sells new and used books and is a charm to browse (grab a read and sink into one of the two cinema chairs near the stairs out back); the staff’s picks are worth noting and there’s a dusty old library on the 1st floor. This isn’t the original Shakespeare & Company owned by Sylvia Beach, who published James Joyce’s Ulysses ; that was closed down by the Nazis.
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B
Bookworm
Carries new and used English books, including Lonely Planet guides, and is a good source of information on Strasbourg.
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C
Espace IGN
The most ubiquitous (and user-friendly) pocket-sized street atlas available is L’Indispensable’s Paris Practique par Arrondissement (€4.90) – newer versions also include Vélib’ stations – though the similar Paris Utile (€4.50) from Blay Foldex has its supporters. More detailed is Michelin’s Paris Poche Plan (No 50; €2.20). All of these are usually available from the Institut Géographique National bookstore Espace IGN, which also sells walking maps, city plans, compasses, satellite images, historic maps and guidebooks.
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Album 12e
Album specialises in bandes dessinées, which have an enormous following in France, with everything from Tintin and Babar to erotic comics and the latest Japanese manga. There are seven more outlets in Paris, including a Latin Quarter branch.
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D
Artazart
Hard by the Canal St-Martin, Artazart is the leading design bookshop in Paris and, along with design and source books, stocks directories, DVDs and CDs in French, English and other languages. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful.
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E
Cannes English Bookshop
Just in case you forgot to pack a novel, this little store stocks English-language books for beach reading. Nothing's better than a good book as you soak up the rays by the sea - but only if you're sun-protected, of course.
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F
Librairie Van Gogh
Shopping wrapped around the courtyard Of the Espace Van Gogh Cultural Centre, with an extensive range of art and history books in French and English, and regional travel guides.
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G
Village Voice
With an excellent selection of contemporary North American fiction and European literature, lots of readings and helpful staff, the Village Voice is a favourite.
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H
Book in Bar
Large stock of new and second-hand books in English. Runs conversation exchanges and cultural events. Browse the British press for free.
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I
Elkar
Elkar has a wealth of books and films on Basque history and culture, walking in the Basque Country, maps and CDs of Basque music.
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Le Point de Rencontre
Bookshop-cum-arts centre with a range of local-interest texts. Stages regular exhibitions and readings by local authors.
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K
Papeterie Rontani
Unsurpassable choice of locally produced guidebooks, reference books on Nice and the Riviera, maps and guides.
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L
Book Shop
Mainly stocks titles relating to Lourdes plus a few novels, travel titles and walking maps.
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M
Shakespeare
Enjoy homemade scones with your tomes at this English bookshop and salon de thé.
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N
Magellan Librairie de Voyages
Stellar selection of maps and travel guides (including Lonely Planet titles) in English.
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O
Black 'n' Blue
French and a few foreign-language books, guides, maps and a selection of Corsican CDs.
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P
Press'Info
A good range of French and foreign newspapers, magazines and guidebooks.
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Q
Paradox Librairie Internationale
Dublin-style shop paradoxically stocking foreign books and groceries.
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R
Book Market
The courtyard in the middle of Vieille Bourse hosts a book market .
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S
Géorama
This bookstore has a huge selection of hiking maps and topoguides.
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T
Bookshop
Carries a good selection of novels and travel guides in English.
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