“Every crease is a story.”
The Bookshop Atlas
3,604 independent bookshops in 1,224 towns, 362 of them selling secondhand.
SecondhandAntiquarianNewCharity
Worth the pilgrimage
Antiquarian in Montolieu, France
An antiquarian bookshop in Montolieu, the hilltop village near Carcassonne that has made itself France's village of books. Old and modern French literature, illustrated books, manuscripts, maps and engravings fill the shelves, with books in several other European languages, and there are guest rooms for those who want to stay.
Independent bookshop in Nantes, France
A large Nantes independent stocking more than 60,000 books.
Independent bookshop in Paris, France
A Marais bookshop-gallery known for art books, independent magazines and exhibitions.
Secondhand in Paris, France
A secondhand art and architecture bookshop reached down a spiral staircase.
Independent bookshop in Paris, France
A small shop for contemporary art and theory with intimate author events.
New & secondhand in Paris, France
Selling books beside the Comédie-Française since the early eighteenth century, among the oldest bookshops in Paris.
Independent bookshop in Paris, France · since 1801
Founded in 1801, billed as the first English-language bookshop on the Continent, now on the rue de Rivoli.
Secondhand in Paris, France · since 1886
A multi-storey Latin Quarter bookseller where secondhand copies, marked with yellow stickers, sit alongside new ones. The go-to for students buying set texts and selling them back.
Secondhand in Paris, France · since 1988
A two-level secondhand shop near Châtelet that has kept its prices low since 1988. Paperbacks cost a few euros, art books not much more, and the bandes dessinées, records and films make it a favourite with students and collectors alike.
The Atlas currently lists 3,604 active bookshops across 1,224 towns and cities in France. This is the number in our directory, not a claim that every shop in the area has been recorded.
362 listed shops are categorised as selling secondhand books. Stock changes frequently; ask a shop directly if you need a particular book.
The Atlas displays available source information. A listing without opening hours or access details is incomplete, not necessarily closed or inaccessible. Check each shop's website and confirm anything essential before travelling.
Yes. Send the shop's name, location and a reliable website or other source. Suggestions and corrections are reviewed before changing the Atlas.
Suggest a shopShop data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence, with descriptions of featured shops by Creasy Spines. Opening hours change — check before a long journey. Suggest an edit