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Ask Karen: English Language Book Stores
Dear Danièle,
The best place to borrow English-language books is American Library in Paris
(www.americanlibraryinparis.org 10, rue du Général-Camou, 7th. 01 53 59 12 61), but you will
have to pay a membership fee. According to their website, they have a four month plan for
€37. With this membership, you will be entitled to borrow up to 6 books, 4 magazines, and 3
audio-visual items at a time. You will also be required to leave a €60 refundable cash deposit to
borrow books. Perhaps they would be willing to give you a shorter-term membership.
There are many English Language bookstores in Paris (although the prices will be higher that
you would pay at home), including:
Tea and Tattered pages: This cute little bookstore has secondhand, as well as
new, books at low prices. They also serve tea and brownies and encourage
browsing! (24, rue Mayet, 6th. (0)1 40 65 94 35.)
San Francisco Books: A tiny American-owned bookstore that's packed with a lot of second-hand books. (17, rue Monsieur-le-Prince, 6th )
Brentano's: Also called "The American Bookstore in Paris". It has a large selection of American books and magazines for all ages. 37 avenue de l'Opéra, 2nd. (0)1 42 61 52 50)
W. H. Smith: This is the largest English bookshop in France with more than 70,000 titles to choose from.( 248 rue de Rivoli, 1st. (0)1 44 77 88 99)
Shakespeare and Company: I would recommend visiting even if your not buying, as this cozy bookstore, a stone's throw from Notre Dame, is full of history and charm. If you go on Sunday from 4pm-6pm, you can join the afternoon tea. (37 rue de la Bûcherie, 5th. (0)1 43 26 96 50)
The Village Voice: A wonderful, independent literary bookstore off of Saint Germain. (6, rue Princesse, 75006 Paris, 01 46 33 36 47)
I hope that's enough to get you started!
Have a wonderful trip!
Best,
Karen
