La Nouvelle Chambre Claire — Local services in Paris

EUROPE'S BEST PHOTO LIBRARY (more to follow) +++

Recently bought Dave Heath ! Between Rue des Ecoles and Rue Monge ! GREAT !

Already, the "old" Chambre Claire was an incredible place, and you could find there - in a small street behind Odéon and close to Saint Sulpice, a church - the most famous photographers of the world, talking casually to each other. Limited space, but wonderful books. Once, I bought a book on Boubat, small, quite expensive, and the now "Owner Guy" said to me "Vous savez, c'est vraiment introuvable". Thus, 75 €, ten years ago, old place, was a gift, indeed. I still have it ! Also, or foremost, the new place, knowledge of Paris being demanded, is a very "nice" place, to say the least. Rue des Ecoles (with the statue of Michel de Montaigne, below Sorbonne) is a very fine "place", as it is Rue Monge, going upwards to Place Monge. All not very far away from Sorbonne, Place du Panthéon and Lycée Henri IV. - It is good that the library has now more space, and, as with "Dave Heath" (above), you can still find absolutely extraordinary books. And the two new owners are admirable, with a wonderful sense of humour. +++ Personally, I like the photographs (Rollei 6006 and Ilford HP5), because they are the contrary of usual publicity. Some force, indeed ! If you have bought one, two or three books, walk up to Place Monge, sometimes market. On Number 3 (Plaque !) lived Claude Simon, Nobel Prize for litterature. Paris is...

That a store like this (still) exists in this day and age should be more than enough to rejoice. The fact that it has an incredible selection of photobooks, regular signings and visits from well-known photographers and friendly folks running it makes it just that much better. Having lived in small towns (in the US) that didn't have a bookstore, I cannot overstate how important it is to support stores like this somewhere in the world, even more if you're lucky enough to live within 10 miles of it. So, stop by, browse and be prepared to stay a while, as the density of book per square meter is quite high. As they say, think...

Amazing shop, the owner is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable in the field of photography. Every time I travel to Paris I stop by to shop and I am never disappointed. Large selection of photography books of all kinds, from art to street and documentary photography, signed books and books with prints. Highly recommended for photographer...