Guidebook for Los Angeles

Lindsey
Guidebook for Los Angeles

Shopping

Since it reopened in 1951, this bookshop has been a magnet for literary figures like Allen Ginsberg, Anaïs Nin, and James Baldwin. The space is a narrow labyrinth, with uneven walls and shelves stacked to the ceiling with books. I love getting lost within its corridors before heading next door to its café for coffee and cake. Author events and readings are held weekly, but seats fill up fast. For evening events, be sure to arrive a good 40 minutes early to snag a seat—or else be prepared to stand or sit in a back room with sound but no view of the author.
204 íbúar mæla með
Bókabúð Shakespeare og Félaga
37 Rue de la Bûcherie
204 íbúar mæla með
Since it reopened in 1951, this bookshop has been a magnet for literary figures like Allen Ginsberg, Anaïs Nin, and James Baldwin. The space is a narrow labyrinth, with uneven walls and shelves stacked to the ceiling with books. I love getting lost within its corridors before heading next door to its café for coffee and cake. Author events and readings are held weekly, but seats fill up fast. For evening events, be sure to arrive a good 40 minutes early to snag a seat—or else be prepared to stand or sit in a back room with sound but no view of the author.
I always enjoy the unexpected and diverse mix of books, magazines, and ephemera at this contemporary bookshop and gallery in the North Marais. The shop’s selection in English and French is sharp and eclectic. The owner has been curating for nearly 20 years, and that shows. New items are added almost daily, and twice a week the owner plays host to concerts or mini art exhibits. There’s always something to discover, whether you take home a book or not.
36 íbúar mæla með
OFR Bookshop
20 Rue Dupetit-Thouars
36 íbúar mæla með
I always enjoy the unexpected and diverse mix of books, magazines, and ephemera at this contemporary bookshop and gallery in the North Marais. The shop’s selection in English and French is sharp and eclectic. The owner has been curating for nearly 20 years, and that shows. New items are added almost daily, and twice a week the owner plays host to concerts or mini art exhibits. There’s always something to discover, whether you take home a book or not.
There’s little I find more inspiring as a writer than strolling along the Seine and happening upon rare used books, vintage magazines, journals, posters, and postcards. These riverside book stands, here since the mid-19th century, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are regulated in size and shape, so you’ll never miss the green boxes. I like to support this tradition by picking up a few things each year. Just make sure you have cash on you. In my experience, most sellers don’t accept any other form of payment.
37 íbúar mæla með
Les Bouquinistes
37 íbúar mæla með
There’s little I find more inspiring as a writer than strolling along the Seine and happening upon rare used books, vintage magazines, journals, posters, and postcards. These riverside book stands, here since the mid-19th century, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are regulated in size and shape, so you’ll never miss the green boxes. I like to support this tradition by picking up a few things each year. Just make sure you have cash on you. In my experience, most sellers don’t accept any other form of payment.
If I were to own my own bookshop, it might look something like this one. Its wooden shelves from the 1930s are well stocked with beautiful fine arts books, novels, biographies, cookbooks, and travel reads—in English and in French. This was the first English-language bookstore on the continent! When the weather allows, from mid-March to mid-October, stay for a cup of tea and a piece of cake in the museum’s garden tea salon. You’ll quickly forget you’re in a bustling city.
15 íbúar mæla með
Librairie Galignani
224 Rue de Rivoli
15 íbúar mæla með
If I were to own my own bookshop, it might look something like this one. Its wooden shelves from the 1930s are well stocked with beautiful fine arts books, novels, biographies, cookbooks, and travel reads—in English and in French. This was the first English-language bookstore on the continent! When the weather allows, from mid-March to mid-October, stay for a cup of tea and a piece of cake in the museum’s garden tea salon. You’ll quickly forget you’re in a bustling city.

Drinks & Nightlife

When I’m not reading with a cup of coffee, I may very well be reading with a glass of wine, and this part wine bar, part bookshop is a comfortable, cozy place to do it. I like to browse for books, then hang out for a while with a glass from their extensive wine list and—if I’m lucky—catch one of their regular author readings. End your night here: It’s the only bookstore-wine bar that’s open until 2 am in all of France! It tends to be one of those places where people stay super-late, drink too much, and talk about books.
28 íbúar mæla með
La Belle Hortense
31 Rue Vieille du Temple
28 íbúar mæla með
When I’m not reading with a cup of coffee, I may very well be reading with a glass of wine, and this part wine bar, part bookshop is a comfortable, cozy place to do it. I like to browse for books, then hang out for a while with a glass from their extensive wine list and—if I’m lucky—catch one of their regular author readings. End your night here: It’s the only bookstore-wine bar that’s open until 2 am in all of France! It tends to be one of those places where people stay super-late, drink too much, and talk about books.

Food Scene

One of the most legendary cafés on the rive gauche, it’s been a magnet for literary greats throughout history: Simone de Beauvoir, Ernest Hemingway, Prévert, Arthur Rimbaud. It has a great view and a beautiful terrace. When I go, it’s not so much for the food or drinks, but to feel the spirit of those people. They take their literary past seriously. Since 1933, they have hosted the Prix des Deux Magots, a French literary prize awarded to emerging French authors. Bring the winning book and stay a while!
261 íbúar mæla með
Les Deux Magots
6 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés
261 íbúar mæla með
One of the most legendary cafés on the rive gauche, it’s been a magnet for literary greats throughout history: Simone de Beauvoir, Ernest Hemingway, Prévert, Arthur Rimbaud. It has a great view and a beautiful terrace. When I go, it’s not so much for the food or drinks, but to feel the spirit of those people. They take their literary past seriously. Since 1933, they have hosted the Prix des Deux Magots, a French literary prize awarded to emerging French authors. Bring the winning book and stay a while!

Arts & Culture

I’m a fan of French novelist George Sand, so this museum is a personal favorite of mine, because it offers the chance to peruse the mementos from her life: portraits, jewelry, homewares. The temporary exhibits are also engaging and provide a view into the lives of literary icons like Baudelaire and Rousseau through art and memorabilia. When the weather allows, from mid-March to mid-October, stay for a cup of tea and a piece of cake in the museum’s garden tea salon. You’ll quickly forget you’re in a bustling city.
535 íbúar mæla með
Múseum romantísku lífsins
16 Rue Chaptal
535 íbúar mæla með
I’m a fan of French novelist George Sand, so this museum is a personal favorite of mine, because it offers the chance to peruse the mementos from her life: portraits, jewelry, homewares. The temporary exhibits are also engaging and provide a view into the lives of literary icons like Baudelaire and Rousseau through art and memorabilia. When the weather allows, from mid-March to mid-October, stay for a cup of tea and a piece of cake in the museum’s garden tea salon. You’ll quickly forget you’re in a bustling city.
French poet and novelist Victor Hugo lived on my favorite square, Place des Vosges, from 1832 to 1848. His home was transformed into a museum that’s almost like a time capsule, with original wallpaper, Gothic furniture, and thousands of handwritten letters. I love imagining what it must have felt like to live in Paris in the 19th century! The museum has free entry so you don’t need to feel obligated to stay and browse for hours. Just take in the areas that interest you most.
144 íbúar mæla með
Hús Victors Huga
6 Pl. des Vosges
144 íbúar mæla með
French poet and novelist Victor Hugo lived on my favorite square, Place des Vosges, from 1832 to 1848. His home was transformed into a museum that’s almost like a time capsule, with original wallpaper, Gothic furniture, and thousands of handwritten letters. I love imagining what it must have felt like to live in Paris in the 19th century! The museum has free entry so you don’t need to feel obligated to stay and browse for hours. Just take in the areas that interest you most.