In Search of Shakespeare and Company on the Left Bank

❄️ Hemingway once said, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” Recently, I saw the first snow in Paris and it stirred up many memories and sparked some longing. As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect and summarize. I’ve always wanted to take the time to compile my European travel notes, so let’s start with Paris. 📖 In Paris, besides the well-known tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, there are many other places worth exploring, such as Shakespeare and Company. Located on the Left Bank of the Seine, it faces Notre-Dame Cathedral across the river and primarily sells English books. 🌉 ❄️ The bookstore has a long history and a very touching story behind it. In 1919, the legendary American bookseller Sylvia Beach founded the original Shakespeare and Company in Paris. In the 1920s, it became a gathering place for the “Lost Generation” of writers, witnessing the young, poor, yet ambitious days of literary masters like Hemingway, James Joyce, and Fitzgerald. It became a shared memory for a generation. During World War II, when the German army occupied Paris, the bookstore was forced to close in 1941. In 1951, American George Whitman opened a bookstore called Le Mistral and renamed it Shakespeare and Company in 1964: both to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth and to pay tribute to Ms. Beach. When George was young, during the Great Depression in the United States, he was generously helped by strangers while wandering. Since then, he has been particularly kind to strangers. The bookstore offered accommodation and has sheltered over 30,000 young writers, artists, and intellectuals. George had only three requirements for them: read one book a day, help out in the store for a few hours each day, and write one page of autobiography. Today, the store has collected thousands of autobiographies, forming a precious archive. In 2006, George handed over the bookstore to his daughter, Sylvia Whitman, whose name also pays tribute to Ms. Beach. Now, the bookstore has become a cultural landmark on the Left Bank of Paris and often hosts various cultural activities. In 2011, George passed away at the age of 98. He is buried in the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery, resting alongside many masters. ❄️ Reflections on Visiting the Bookstore: The bookstore is not very large, but it’s definitely worth a visit. The first floor is the book-selling area, which also sells coffee and pastries; the second floor is the library, filled with many old books. Shelves of books extend from the floor to the ceiling, and you can browse to your heart’s content. I’ve bought three beautifully illustrated hardcover books here, including "Paris," "Audrey & Givenchy," and "The Little Prince." When checking out, the staff will stamp or label the books with the store’s logo featuring Shakespeare’s portrait. I usually like to take notes in my books, but I’ve been very careful with these three, not wanting to damage them. Photography is not allowed inside the store. After visiting the bookstore, you can also take a walk along the Seine. There are many bookstalls by the river selling old books, paintings, and fridge magnets. It’s very pleasant to browse for treasures. 🌿 #EuropeanTravelNotes #Paris #ParisTravel #ShakespeareAndCompany #MostBeautifulBookstore #TravelingInCheongsam #CheongsamDaily