The second time I went to Paris, visiting Shakespeare & Co. was high up on my list of priorities. I love books, I love Shakespeare and Before Sunset is one of my favourite movies, so it all made sense. Besides, it was on the top10 things to do on my guide. Surely a divine sign that I had to visit it. Well, to my disappointment another film was being filmed right when I decided to go visit it, and some man told me to go away and not take any pictures in a very rude manner. Disappointed doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. I had to sit down on a bench to contemplate my options. Thankfully I had armed myself with a guide written by someone who must have been a bit of a book nerd like me, and recommended another bookshop not far from Shakespeare & Co. It wasn’t just that I needed a bookshop fix, I actually really wanted to buy a book about Paris, so I didn’t think about it twice.

Abbey Bookshop, opened in 1989, is a beautiful little place owned by a Canadian man called Brian who kindly offered me some coffee when I stepped in. Always a good sign. There are books everywhere. It was one of the most overwhelming experiences of my life. Double-sliding shelves, books stacked up on a table, on stools, on the floor. I didn’t dare to venture into the basement, which according to Brian is even more impressive than the ground floor. Now I wish I had.

In Abbey Bookshop you’ll find everything you need in life. New books, second-hand books, rare books, best sellers and about every subject imaginable. Brian kindly offered to help me find a book I was desperately looking for, but sadly I was leaving Paris on the next day. If I had visited before I would have been able to take advantage of their express delivery for urgent orders, which guarantees you’ll have the desired book in 2-3 days. Pretty rad, no?

The bookshop is a subsidiary of Abbey Bookshop in Toronto and carries an impressive selection of Canadian literature, both in English and French. Besides, they organise language exchange pub nights, reading groups and even hikes in the countryside! I honestly think every town in the world should have a bookshop like this. Definitely on my top10 things to do in Paris.