Shakespeare & Company Bookshop Window Shakespeare and Company has welcomed writers, readers, and dreamers for generations. Beneath weathered signs and shelves filled with stories, the famous bookshop remains one of Paris's most enduring literary landmarks, just steps from the Seine and Notre-Dame.
✦ Captured by TLC Paris

Shakespeare and Company Café – Literary Tea & Coffee by Notre-Dame

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Books, Coffee, Literary History & Left Bank Atmosphere

Shakespeare and Company Café

Nestled beside the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookshop, this café offers specialty coffee, tea, pastries and a literary atmosphere just steps from Notre-Dame and the Seine. It is one of those rare Paris stops where books, culture and café life blend naturally into a single experience.

TLC Paris Concierge note: The classic experience is simple—browse the bookshop, order a coffee or tea, then continue towards Notre-Dame or along the Seine. Few places capture literary Paris quite like this.

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Highlights (evergreen)

Literary Paris Icon

A café pause inside one of the most famous bookstores in the world.

Tea & Coffee Stop

A calm drink moment — perfect for reading, journaling, or resetting your walk.

Notre-Dame / Seine Placement

Ideal between Île de la Cité, river walks, and Saint-Germain loops.

Events & Readings

Talks and author moments add a real cultural layer to the experience.

TLC Paris Concierge note: This is a “Paris by pages” stop — tea/coffee, a quick browse, then the Seine as your reading room.

✦ Shakespeare and Company Café
Tucked beside the historic bookshop, Shakespeare and Company Café offers coffee, pastries, and a quiet place to pause beneath the trees. On spring afternoons, the small terrace becomes a gathering place for readers, students, and visitors exploring the Latin Quarter.
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Address, Contact & Map (Notre-Dame area)+

Shakespeare and Company Café

Notre-Dame / Seine area (see café page for details)

Hours: check official café page ↗

Café page ↗ · Events ↗ · @shakespeareandcoparis ↗

The Literary Café Experience+

This isn’t just a café — it’s a small pause inside a Paris institution. Think warm drink, quiet table, and that feeling of being inside a story while the city moves outside.

What to Order (tea & coffee picks)+
  • Tea if you want a slow, cozy reading pace.
  • Espresso / coffee if you’re doing a quick Seine break.
  • One sweet bite to turn it into an actual “goûter moment”.

Practical info: Café page ↗

Bookstore History+

The legend matters here — it’s a place with real cultural gravity. If you want the backstory (and why it became a Paris icon), read the history page.

History: Open ↗

Events & Readings+

Talks, author readings, and cultural events are part of the Shakespeare and Company ecosystem. If you’re in Paris for a few days, check what’s on — it can be a perfect evening plan.

Events: Open ↗

Bonne journée / TLC Paris Tip+
  • Do it “book first”: browse upstairs, then reward yourself with tea/coffee.
  • Best pairing: Seine walk + Notre-Dame loop + one quiet page of reading.
  • Want extra magic? Go near golden hour and watch the river light change.
Description
Books, Coffee, Literary Paris & Left Bank Charm

Shakespeare and Company Café

Located beside the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookshop, this welcoming café offers specialty coffee, tea, pastries and light meals in one of Paris's most literary settings. It is a natural stop while exploring Notre-Dame, the Latin Quarter and the historic Left Bank.

Best For
Coffee, books & people-watching
Atmosphere
Literary, relaxed & authentic
What To Expect
Coffee, pastries & bookshop visits
First Visit?
A Paris classic for book lovers
Location
Latin Quarter, 5th arrondissement
Nearby
Notre-Dame, Seine & Saint-Michel
Visit Time
20–60 minutes
Best Time
Morning coffee or afternoon break

TLC Paris Concierge note: The best experience is to combine the café with a visit to the famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop next door. Afterwards, continue toward Notre-Dame, Saint-Michel or the Seine for one of the most atmospheric walks in central Paris.

Selected by TLC Paris Concierge, Shakespeare and Company Café is a warm, book-filled café and tea room nestled beside the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookshop, just steps from Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité. This intimate spot invites visitors to slow down with a specialty coffee, tea, pastry or light meal while watching the gentle rhythm of Paris unfold along the Left Bank.

Located opposite the Seine and surrounded by centuries of literary and intellectual history, the café naturally connects with nearby destinations such as Place Saint-Michel, Boulevard Saint-Michel, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the elegant gardens of Jardin du Luxembourg. It is also within easy walking distance of Panthéon, Sainte-Chapelle and the historic streets of the Latin Quarter, making it an ideal stop during a day of sightseeing.

Many visitors begin by browsing the shelves of the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookshop before settling into the café with a book, notebook or conversation. The atmosphere feels distinctly Parisian yet international, attracting students, writers, travelers and locals alike. Unlike many cafés in central Paris, the experience here is as much about literature and culture as it is about food and drink.

Whether you're taking a break between visits to Notre-Dame Cathedral, exploring the nearby quays of the Seine, or wandering toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Shakespeare and Company Café offers a peaceful pause in one of the city's most historic neighborhoods. A stop here turns a simple coffee into a literary Paris ritual.