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4 independent Parisian bookstores chosen as some of the best in the world!

undefined undefined 17 décembre 2025 undefined 18h00

The Editor

©Iñaki del Olmo / Unsplash

The Cultured magazine set out to meet the owners of independent bookstores from all around the world to discover these unique places, and most importantly, to create a ranking of the best among them. And the French capital holds its own, with no less than 4 addresses in the final top 11!

We don't know about you, but here at Bonbon, we absolutely love bookstores. First of all, because we find some pretty extraordinary objects, known as books. And then, because for some of them, they are quite magical places. Huge shelves filled with books from floor to ceiling, wooden stairs creaking underfoot, hidden nooks where you could spend hours devouring a great read—basically, little paradises. And the good news is that these unique spots can be found all over the planet, even right in the heart of the capital!


A simple but effective approach

When it comes to establishing a ranking, no matter the topic, the best way to go about it is undoubtedly to consult experts. And who better to talk about independent bookstores than the owners themselves?

independent bookstores themselves ? It’s thanks to this pretty straightforward, yet often underrated process that Cultured has created a ranking of the 11 best spots on the planet, which includes no less than 4 Parisian establishments. 


The Capital in Full Swing

First up is The Women's Bookstore, which, as its name suggests, mainly highlights books written by women. A landmark of feminist literature, recommended by a Brazilian bookseller. Among the selection is also From Balzac to Rodin, located in the6th, specializing in second-hand books about art and architecture. In a similar vein, Yvon Lambert stands out to a Mexican merchant for its works focusing on art. Lastly, we have the Parisian gem, After8Books, which, not content with just selling treasures, publishes its own books too!


The Old Continent Triumphs

Two more European addresses also make the list, representing over half of the spots on the Old Continent. We find the bookstore Burning House Books, in Glasgow in Scotland, and Donlon Books in London, highlighting France and the United Kingdom as centers of European literature. For the rest of the addresses, head to New York, Baghdad, Portland, or even Los Angeles to discover unique, magical places where nothing matters more than diving into a good novel to escape it all.