The capital’s most famous English-language bookshop (and, indeed, any bookshop at all), Shakespeare & Co. attracts its fair share of visitors to the 5th arrondissement every day. This popularity has even been measured in a study carried out by Preply. According to these analyses, the century-old establishment is one of the best bookshops in the world, according to the opinions of its visitors!
Shakespeare & Co. voted one of the world’s best bookshops
Preply, an online language-learning platform, has compiled a ranking of 100 bookshops worldwide, based on their popularity. By sifting through all the Google and Tripadvisor reviews, the experts compiled an average, which in turn gave rise to a score.
At the very top of the ranking is London’s Daunt Books Marylebone, with a score of 96.58. It is followed by El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a superb establishment based in Buenos Aires, with a score of 95.90. Finally, to complete the podium, we find the State Library Victoria, nestled in the heart of Melbourne. And when it comes to Shakespeare & Co. the Parisian bookshop climbs to 7th place, establishing itself as one of the most popular bookshops.
Founded in Paris in 1919, Shakespeare & Co. moved several times before settling at 37 rue de la Bûcherie. In its old building, where the roof timbers are still visible, intellectuals and popular figures have met over the years. Today, the bookshop has become a veritable institution, with tens of thousands of references on its shelves. It’s easy to see why hundreds of people flock here every day.
Shakespeare & Co – 37, rue de la Bûcherie, 75005