A Brief History of Shakespeare and Company: Paris’s Legendary Bookstore
Discover the enchanting journey of Shakespeare and Company, Paris’s iconic English-language bookstore and haven for writers, artists, and dreamers since 1919.
Few places in Paris have evoked such fascination, nostalgia, and reverence among bibliophiles and literary legends as Shakespeare and Company. This English-language bookshop, nestled on the Left Bank of the Seine, opposite Notre-Dame, is far more than a simple bookstore: it is a living testament to the enduring power of literature and the bohemian spirit of Paris itself. From the Modernist circles of the 1920s to the countercultural revolutions of the twentieth century and into the present day, Shakespeare and Company has shaped, inspired, and harbored generations of readers and writers alike.
The Roots: Sylvia Beach and the Original Shakespeare and Company (1919–1941)
The original Shakespeare and Company was founded by Sylvia Beach, an intrepid American expatriate, in November 1919 at 8 rue Dupuytren, Paris. Moving two years later to 12 rue de l’Odéon in the 6th arrondissement, Beach’s bookshop quickly emerged as the nerve center of Anglo-American literary life in Paris during the 1920s and 1930s.
- Lending library & bookshop: Beach’s store functioned as both a retail bookstore and a lending library, offering English-language volumes to Paris’s growing community of expatriates, artists, and intellectuals.
- The Lost Generation: The shop became a home for writers now synonymous with the era: Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, Djuna Barnes, Ford Madox Ford, and James Joyce counted among its regulars.
- A unique literary salon: Dubbed “Stratford-on-Odéon” by Joyce, Shakespeare and Company operated as more than a store—it was a meeting place, lending library, reading room, informal bank, post office, and all-purpose refuge.
One of Sylvia Beach’s boldest feats was publishing James Joyce’s controversial novel Ulysses in 1922, which was banned in Britain and the United States. Beach’s role as Joyce’s publisher and champion sealed her reputation as one of Modernism’s crucial enablers.
“Sylvia’s was more than a bookshop. We ate at her table and slept in her beds among the books.” —Ernest Hemingway (paraphrased from his memoir ‘A Moveable Feast’)
Shakespeare and Company as a Literary Beacon
The shop attracted visiting and resident luminaries. Regulars and drop-ins included:
- T.S. Eliot, Paul Valéry, André Gide – who gave public readings and lectures there.
- Man Ray, Mina Loy, George Antheil, and other avant-garde artists fostered cross-disciplinary dialogue in its intimate spaces.
| Author/Visitor | Notable Contribution |
|---|---|
| James Joyce | Used the shop as a de facto office; relied on Beach to publish and promote Ulysses. |
| Ernest Hemingway | Based the famous ‘Moveable Feast’ recollections partly in these rooms; received moral and material support from Beach. |
| Gertrude Stein & Ezra Pound | Brought new artists and writers into Beach’s supportive orbit. |
The shop’s policy towards controversial books—frequently banned in the English-speaking world—gave it a radical reputation, drawing free-thinkers and iconoclasts.
Testing Times: War and Closure (1940–1941)
The looming clouds of World War II fundamentally changed life in Paris. In December 1941, Shakespeare and Company was forced to close during the German occupation. Legend has it that the closure was triggered when Beach refused to sell her last copy of Joyce’s Finnegans Wake to a German officer.
- Beach hid her precious stock of books in a nearby apartment, evading confiscation.
- She was arrested by Nazi authorities and interned for six months but survived the ordeal, though she was unable to reopen the store after the war.
This marked the end of an era but not the end of the Shakespeare and Company legacy. The influence, friendships, and myths fostered within those walls would echo for decades to come.
The Rebirth: George Whitman and a New Beginning (1951–1980s)
With the death of the original Shakespeare and Company came a second life. In 1951, George Whitman, a wandering American and passionate bibliophile, opened an English-language bookstore at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, near Kilometer Zero, the point where all French roads are measured.
- Initial name: The shop was first called Le Mistral, but in 1964 Whitman rechristened it Shakespeare and Company to honor Sylvia Beach on the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth.
- The spiritual successor: Receiving Sylvia’s blessing, Whitman’s store quickly became a mecca for writers, artists, and wayfarers, cementing itself as a spiritual continuation of Beach’s work.
- The ethos: “I created this bookstore like a man would write a novel, building each room like a chapter, and I like people to open the door the way they open a book, a book that leads into a magic world in their imaginations.” —George Whitman
From the outset, Whitman welcomed the world’s creative souls. He offered shelter within the shop to writers, artists, and adventurers in exchange for a few hours’ work and the promise to read a book per day. These guests became known as the “Tumbleweeds”—over 30,000 people have reportedly spent a night among the shelves.
A Gathering Place for Modern Literary Giants
The renewed Shakespeare and Company swiftly gained cult status among contemporary literary icons and aspiring writers. The likes of James Baldwin, Anaïs Nin, William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Henry Miller, Julio Cortázar, and Richard Wright frequented the labyrinthine shop.
- Free-spirited hospitality: Whitman’s open-door policy, informal salons, and book-lined bunks continued the original’s radical hospitality and creative fervor.
- Community building: Much like Beach before him, Whitman fostered a sense of family, regularly hosting public readings, debates, and literary festivals.
Evolution under Sylvia Whitman (2000s–Present)
After George Whitman’s passing, his only child, Sylvia Whitman, took the helm. Together with her partner David Delannet, Sylvia has guided the store into a vibrant new era while preserving its sui generis history.
- Modern expansions: The shop has expanded to include a café, a publishing enterprise, a writing contest, and the annual Shakespeare and Company literary festival.
- Continued creativity: Literary readings, discussions, and performances occur almost weekly, featuring a remarkable roster of international writers including Zadie Smith, Don DeLillo, Rachel Cusk, Colson Whitehead, George Saunders, Karl Ove Knausgaard, and Jeanette Winterson.
- Podcast and digital reach: Many events are now accessible worldwide through the store’s podcast, forging a new sense of global literary community.
“George’s novel, this bookshop, is today still being written by a dedicated team of booksellers and by all the people who continue to read, write, and sleep at Shakespeare and Company.”
Literary Culture and the “Tumbleweed Tradition”
Integral to the Shakespeare and Company lore is its tradition of hosting “Tumbleweeds”—writers and dreamers given shelter among the books. This unique tradition, originated by George Whitman, embodies the shop’s ethos of mutual inspiration and generosity.
- Guests are invited to help with daily tasks, read a book a day, and write a one-page autobiography for the shop archives.
- Stories abound of burgeoning novelists, poets, and musicians who found not just a roof, but kindred spirits and a creative spark within these storied walls.
The “Tumbleweed” culture has shaped countless lives and careers, turning a bookstore into a home for creativity’s wanderers.
Shakespeare and Company Today: Living Legacy and Influence
Shakespeare and Company is a living part of Paris’s cultural DNA. Its location opposite Notre-Dame Cathedral, its labyrinthine rooms lined with books, the piano in the corner, and walls scrawled with messages and poems, make every visit a pilgrimage for literature lovers.
- Notable offerings: Extensive new and used books in English, rare volumes, first editions, and a renowned poetry section.
- Events and festivals: Regular author events, conferences, and literary festivals including the acclaimed Shakespeare and Company Literary Festival.
- Café: The adjacent café serves as an additional gathering spot, fostering both conversation and quiet contemplation.
Shakespeare and Company’s enduring mystique rests on the notion that every visitor and every book adds a line to its ongoing story. It embodies the energy of literary Modernism, the idealism of the post-war Left Bank, and the cosmopolitan dreams of Paris itself.
Shakespeare and Company in Popular Culture
The bookshop has made memorable appearances in literature, film, and travel writing. Most notably, it featured in:
- Hemingway’s ‘A Moveable Feast’: The bohemian days of Hemingway, Beach, and their circle are immortalized in his memoir, lending the shop an enduring place in the literature of Paris.
- Films: Scenes from ‘Before Sunset’ and ‘Midnight in Paris’ feature the bookshop, introducing it to new generations of dreamers.
Its unique spirit—welcoming, eccentric, transformative—resonates far beyond the city’s borders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the history behind the name “Shakespeare and Company”?
The name was first given by Sylvia Beach, who opened the original store in 1919 as a tribute to the greatest English playwright, William Shakespeare. George Whitman renamed his shop Shakespeare and Company in 1964 to honor Beach and the original’s legacy.
Where is Shakespeare and Company located?
The current store is at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, Paris, on the Left Bank of the Seine, opposite Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Can anyone stay at Shakespeare and Company?
For decades, artists and writers—dubbed “Tumbleweeds”—have been welcomed to stay in exchange for helping out in the store and reading a book each day. Spaces are limited and guests are selected based on need and their life stories.
What notable authors have visited the bookstore?
Over the years, the shop has hosted and inspired renowned authors including Hemingway, Joyce, Anaïs Nin, James Baldwin, Allen Ginsberg, and contemporary voices like Zadie Smith and Don DeLillo.
Does the shop still host literary events?
Yes. Shakespeare and Company regularly organizes readings, workshops, author signings, and a literary festival, most of which are open to the public. Events are often shared via podcast for global audiences.
How can I support Shakespeare and Company?
Purchasing books, attending events, spreading the word on social media, and simply visiting the store help maintain its storied presence in Paris and the world.
Conclusion: The Bookshop That Became a Legend
The story of Shakespeare and Company is the story of the literary imagination—unfurling across borders, generations, and genres. From Sylvia Beach’s Modernist sanctuary to George Whitman’s haven for post-war idealists and the vibrant community under Sylvia Whitman today, the bookstore remains a guardian of books, creativity, and hope. Each new visitor steps into living history, where walls breathe poetry, and where tomorrow’s voices are waiting among the shelves.
