Best bookstores in Paris? Particularly for children's books?

Does that mean you want them in French? and what do you consider classics, and for what age?

Start with Le Petite Prince...and if you haven't read it yourself, you should. There are so many great bookstores in Paris, you won't have any trouble finding one...

The Louvre gift/book shop used to have a terrific children's book section upstairs. Haven't been there lately so can't confirm.

There is Gagliani(?sp) on the rue de Rivoli with a nice selection in both English and French. It's right by the very expensive Hotel Meurice. Good also for books about Paris.

There is also a WH Smith(Britain's big chain of shops). on the rue de Rivoli. You will see lots of independent bookshops all over..depends on whether you want English or French editions. I remember going into one on my way to the Bon Marche from the Blvd. St.Germain...I was looking for a certain kind of postcard aimed at chlldren which are charming.

And of course, you can always browse the Bouquinistes along the Seine.. iffy whather you'll find anything but it's fun to browse anyway and so convenient to the Louvre, Sainte Chappelle, Notre Dame et al.

Important to remember....Libraire in French means bookshop and Biblioteque = library...this can be confusing.

Thanks. I will be looking for classic French children's books in French.

Thank you for the recommendations.

I too was trying to remember the name of the childrens' bookstore near the metro Sevres-Babylone near the Bon Marché. The Red Wheelbarrow (they have a wesite) near metro St Paul has a childrens' annex..I supposse they focus on titles in English, but presume they sell in French...Anyhow, all major dept. stores like Printemps and Galleries Layfayette have book departments....But considering the dollar rate, wouldn't it be cheaper to buy the French classics, in french, at home..and maybe browse around for titles that just catch your eye. I'm thinking mostly of illustrated picture books for younger children

Hi Cecily, If you like to browse bookstores, try the Canadian book store; it's big and full of treasures. La Librairie Canadienne
Address: 29, rue de la Parcheminerie, 75005 PARIS
E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.shakespeareco.org/

Hi Cecily,

... when you buy a book in Shakespeare & Co. (Paris) they rubber stamp a fly page with their famous "Center of France" circle. The book store is much more than a bookstall, you will discover... and English is the specialty... copy the above link with your mouse and paste it into your Internet search box. Then, touch the ENTER key on your computer keyboard. Voila! bon voyage! P

http://www.shakespeareco.org/

Hi Cecily,

... when you buy a book in Shakespeare & Co. (Paris) they rubber stamp a fly page with their famous "Center of France" circle. The book store is much more than a bookstall, you will discover... and English is the specialty... copy the above link with your mouse and paste it into your Internet search box. Then, touch the ENTER key on your computer keyboard. Voila! bon voyage! P