When I first visited Paris more than 40 years ago, I immediately stopped by the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore. And, like every other bibliophile, I was smitten. Although it seemed to be an ancient pilgrimage site for booklovers, it was only opened on this day in 1951.
Shakespeare and Company is an English-language bookstore opened by George Whitman on Paris’s Left Bank. The bookstore is situated at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, in the 5th arrondissement. It was originally called “Le Mistral”, but was renamed to “Shakespeare and Company” in 1964 in tribute to Sylvia Beach’s store which closed in 1941. Today, it continues to serve as a seller of new and second-hand books, as an antiquarian bookseller, and as a free reading library open to the public.
Additionally, the shop houses aspiring writers and artists in exchange for helping out around the bookstore. Since the shop opened in 1951, more than 30,000 people have slept in the beds found tucked between bookshelves.The shop’s motto, “Be Not Inhospitable to Strangers Lest They Be Angels in Disguise”, is written above the entrance to the reading library.
Sadly, the bookstore has been overrun by social media influencers and tourists with no interest in books who simply go for the photo ops. The last time that I visited, I left after 10 minutes because it was mobbed by poserphillistines.
Travel Between The Pages 
A wonderful store with books tucked into little spaces. I felt fortunate to have visited this store years ago, and I have a great memory of walking around the rooms and soaking in the atmosphere.
Time they introduce a camera and cell phone ban. They can appoint a house photographer who can take a picture for those wanting a souvenir and have it posted to their email. And maybe charge a dollar for each picture taken.
I agree. My last visit was marred by a crowd of “influencers” and wannabees jockeying for selfies.
The kind of people with the attention span of a goldfish who want to give themselves an aura of being literate.