Armchair Escape Series: Shakespeare and Company, A Parisian Bookstore

Through this series, you’ll discover the world without having to deal with the hassles of travel. We will bring the locations to you. Our escapes are inspired by interesting locales and popular culture. Let's now head to Shakespeare and Company and open the store’s archives to learn about those who have frequented this famous shop. This iconic Parisian bookstore is a mecca for tourists and has been a gathering place for literary greats, artists, and tourists for decades. Originally opened in 1919 on the Left Bank, the store saw authors such as Hemingway, Joyce, and Fitzgerald join weekly literary salons, creating an exciting era depicted in the 2011 movie “Midnight in Paris.” It has provided an unconventional hide-away for aspiring authors, called Tumbleweeds, who stay without cost for a night, or a year, to help run the bookstore while they write and experience the special light of Paris.