Shakespeare and Company: A Haven for Writers and Visitors from All Over the World

Shakespeare and Company at 37 rue de la Bucherie in Paris, France was opened by the American George Whitman.  It was first called “Le Mistral” but was later renamed in 1964 to give tribute to Sylvia Beach’s bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, a gathering place for writers such as Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.  In the tradition of providing haven to writers, Whitman’s Shakespeare and Company has been a home to writers and visitors around the world.  To this day, this independent bookshop is providing free lodging to whoever is willing to extend a bit of help in maintaining the shop.  It has seen the likes of Henry Miller, Anais Nin and Allen Ginsberg spending the afternoon, and probably night too. 

Shakespeare and Company holds book launches, poetry reading, tiny concerts and other events.  Upstairs, a space is provided for activities such as writing workshop, book club discussions, language workshop, readings and literary classes.