Best Coffee Shops in Paris for Book Lovers
Paris is a dream destination for many travelers, known for its art, architecture, romance, and delicious food. But one aspect of Paris that often goes overlooked is its vibrant coffee culture. Paris is home to countless cozy cafés, perfect for sipping coffee, reading a book, and soaking in the city’s timeless charm. For book lovers, there’s nothing better than finding a coffee shop that feels like a little library, where stories come alive over a steaming cup of coffee.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best coffee shops in Paris where book enthusiasts can relax, read, and enjoy the unique beauty of the city.
1. La Belle Hortense
Located in the trendy Marais district, La Belle Hortense is a charming wine and literary café that doubles as a bookstore. While it’s known for its selection of French wine, it also serves excellent coffee, making it an ideal spot for readers and writers alike. The shelves are filled with books, from classic novels to modern poetry, and you can browse while enjoying your drink. The atmosphere is welcoming, quiet, and perfect for deep dives into your favorite novel or writing your own stories.
What makes it special?
La Belle Hortense holds events like book readings and poetry nights, creating a community space for literary enthusiasts. If you love pairing coffee with creative inspiration, this spot is not to be missed.
2. Shakespeare and Company Café
Just across the Seine, next to the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookstore, this café is a must-visit for book lovers. The bookstore itself is an iconic literary destination, famous for its history and its beautifully curated selection of English-language books. The adjoining café offers a peaceful spot to enjoy organic coffee, homemade pastries, and a beautiful view of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The café has a wonderfully relaxed vibe, with outdoor seating and an artistic aesthetic that encourages visitors to linger. Whether you’re reading a book you just purchased from the store or writing your own next masterpiece, Shakespeare and Company Café is a dream for bookworms who love excellent coffee.
What makes it special?
The Shakespeare and Company bookstore has hosted countless famous authors, including Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, so enjoying coffee here feels like stepping into the literary history of Paris.
3. Café de Flore
Café de Flore is one of Paris’s most iconic cafés, and it’s steeped in literary history. Located in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, this café was once frequented by famous writers and philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus. While it may not have bookshelves, the café’s association with literary luminaries makes it a special place for book lovers.
The space is elegant, and the coffee is excellent. Grab a corner table, order a cappuccino, and imagine the great thinkers of the past discussing existentialism as you dive into a novel or jot down ideas in your notebook.
What makes it special?
The café’s historical connection to famous authors makes it perfect for literary enthusiasts who want to channel their creative energy in the same spot where legends once gathered.
4. Le Thé des Écrivains
If you’re looking for a quiet, book-friendly haven, Le Thé des Écrivains (“The Tea of Writers”) is a unique tea and coffee shop dedicated to writers and readers. Located in the heart of Paris, this space feels more like a cultural sanctuary than a traditional café. The shelves are full of books, with a focus on works from around the world, and the shop also sells beautifully curated journals, pens, and other writing materials.
What sets this café apart is its dedication to promoting creativity and literature. You can sip coffee or tea in a peaceful environment while browsing through rare titles and meditating on your next project.
What makes it special?
Le Thé des Écrivains invites you to not only enjoy coffee or tea but immerse yourself in the art of storytelling and self-expression.
5. Les Deux Magots
Another literary landmark in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, Les Deux Magots has been a favorite haunt of writers and thinkers for decades. Like Café de Flore, it’s less about having books directly in the café and more about connecting with Paris’s literary history. Writers such as James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, and André Gide have spent hours in this space. The traditional Parisian décor and refined atmosphere make it an inspiring spot to enjoy coffee and lose yourself in the pages of a good book.
What makes it special?
The café’s long-standing ties to literature and philosophy make it an inspiring space for book lovers who appreciate the history of ideas.
6. Le Pavillon des Lettres
For book lovers seeking a truly unique experience, Le Pavillon des Lettres is not just a café—it’s a boutique literary-themed hotel. Every room is dedicated to a famous writer, from A (Austen) to Z (Zola), and the hotel’s cozy café is perfect for grabbing a coffee and reading in a setting designed for bibliophiles. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the café welcomes visitors and offers a refined and peaceful atmosphere.
What makes it special?
Le Pavillon des Lettres blends literature and luxury, creating a space where readers can feel truly pampered.
Conclusion
Paris is a city where stories and creativity thrive, and its coffee culture reflects this vibrant atmosphere. Whether you want to immerse yourself in literary history, discover new books, or simply find a cozy corner to relax, these coffee shops offer perfect spots for book lovers who enjoy their coffee with a touch of magic.
So, next time you visit Paris, bring along your favorite novel, notebook, or e-reader, and let these inspiring coffee shops transport you into the world of literature. After all, in Paris, every cup of coffee feels like a chapter in its own beautiful story.
