The Abbey Bookshop — Local services in Paris

A Book Lover’s Dream in the Heart of Paris

The Abbey Bookshop is hands down the most magical bookstore I’ve ever stepped into. Tucked away on a quiet street in the Latin Quarter, this place is a true haven for anyone who loves books, stories, or just the warm, nostalgic scent of old pages.

From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with towering stacks of English-language books—literature, history, poetry, philosophy—every corner bursting with character and charm. It feels like entering a secret world where time slows down and all that matters is finding your next great read.

The owner is incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and clearly passionate about literature. Whether you're looking for something specific or just browsing, he makes you feel welcome and at home. Don’t be surprised if you’re offered a complimentary coffee while you browse!

This is not just a bookshop—it's an experience. A place where conversations spark between strangers, where the walls feel like they’re whispering stories, and where you leave feeling inspired.

Do yourself a favor: skip the chain stores and step into this literary wonderland. The Abbey Bookshop is a Parisian treasure that every book lover should visit at least once. I can't...

I’m very torn on this bookstore. At first I thought it was a magical place and couldn’t wait to recommend to others. It had so many wonderful books - some I’ve read and some on my list. I picked out 5 books and excitedly waited for checkout. While waiting, I realized I wasn’t sure about pricing. I turned the books over and my jaw literally dropped. All of the books were above MRSP. A French grammar book that should have been 20-30€ was priced at 59€ euro. I didn’t take a picture of that one because to was too horrified and put it right back.

I know it costs money to import books, but if I’m going to pay premium prices, I expect to have some amenities that other new bookstores have. This store has zero inventory system so they can’t tell you if they have a certain book - you have to dig yourself. The shelves were so narrow I could barely get by and I’m a tiny person. Forget about navigating here if you’re larger or have mobility issues.

On the upside, the staff person working was very nice and friendly and the music in the store was great. But it’s a used book experience at premium prices. I’ll continue my search for an affordable...

I had a very offputting experience with this store that I felt might be good to publicly share. I too like many of you thought this seemed like a cute bookstore, but when I went there I overheard the manager talking to his employees in quite a sinister way. He was telling one of the employees to watch the other one because he didn't feel she was doing a good job and he wanted her to report to him about her, and in addition he was asking lots of small pointed questions about the other employee. "What time did she arrive today, was she late, why was she late", grilling the other employee for information on the other colleagues' life. "Did she fill up the coffee outside every hour, I don't think she's been doing it" this sort of thing... He told the employee further to reapply all the labels since he found them unsatisfactory and explained to her in a quiet condescending manner how to do it as he saw properly. All in all, the way he treated the employees was micro managing and controlling. With the book prices exorbitantly higher than all other used book stores in the region, I left the shop without buying anything, and I...