Where To Go In Paris If You Love Print
Print is dead. Print is making a comeback. Print is dying. We love print.
It’s a story we’ve heard on repeat as print producers ourselves and yet take a walk around a European city and you might reconsider that print has ever gone out of fashion. It’s true - Europe tends to appreciate its arts in a way that is not found in Australia, none more so than Paris.
The reason behind Paris’ thriving book scene, apart from the helpful foot traffic of being the most visited city in the world, actually lies in multiple government policies enacted over hundreds of years that protect print. The first dates back to 1791, where the first ever copyright laws designed to protect authors was enacted. In 1981, legislation named Loi Lang after the culture minister Jack Lang, was brought in to protect the independent bookshops by outlawing discounts of more than five percent on new releases to ensure big dog wholesalers couldn’t undercut the small guys. This means books are fairly equally priced nationwide and a huge reason why over 3,500 independent bookshops exist in France today. And then in the early 2000’s former mayor Bertrand Delanoë and the city of Paris, bought commercial real estate in the Latin Quarter with the objective of leasing it specifically to bookshops at below market rate so they were protected from being pushed out by high fashion retailers. So it makes sense why there are so many stores thriving today. Here’s our pick of the best ones to visit.
Cahier Central
26 Rue du Château d'Eau
Launched first as a side project online store back in 2019 by Julien Achard, Noa Kéhati and Benjamin Parienté, Cahier Central is home to a plethora of independent publications, with a particular focus on underrepresented contemporary artists. With plenty of signings and in person events, this is the place to go if you want to be inspired by the world of words. Walk in wanting something to read, walk out wanting to start your own magazine.
Ofr. Paris
A well-loved institution of print by authors, artists, and probably your favourite celebrities' favourite muse. Impressive not only with the amount of books they’ve been able to stock in such a small space, but also by the names that are often found inside flicking through the shelves. There’s a small gallery space out the back that is constantly rotating through exhibitions featuring the likes of Ed Templeton and Sofia Coppola. Ofr. has been operating for thirty years now and it takes one second inside to see exactly why. Pure magic.
Bonjour Jacob
Nestled in the streets of Canal Saint-Martin, Bonjour Jacob is again one of those spots that seem to attract only the hottest and coolest people. After looking through a perfectly curated selection of magazines, grab a coffee, sit outside and watch the world go by in one of the best parts of Paris. There is also the most psycho bakery on the same road. My go to spot in the city and my most loved recommendation to others.
Taschen
2 Rue de Buci
Feeling more like a curated contemporary museum than a bookstore, the Taschen store is a true reflection of one of the world’s leading global art-book publishers. Known for its high-quality, visually striking coffee table books, this shop will probably break your bank in the best possible way.
Librairie 7L
In 1999, Karl Lagerfeld, the designer at the helm of Chanel for a 36-year tenure, converted a former art gallery into a photography studio, and the bookshop Librairie 7L. While Lagerfeld’s capacious library home to over 33,000 titles is only accessible upon invitation or for cultural events, the front bookstore gives a glimpse into the mind of the famed designer. As Lagerfeld himself said ‘My paradise is a library ... I am a paper freak’ and when you see this place, well, it’s impossible not to agree.
Le Kiosque de Paris Bogo Presse
34 Rue de Sèvres
As someone who lives nowhere near a city back in Australia, these little kiosk things are so exciting to see in real life. This particular one is one of the most famous in Paris, featuring a curated collection of international, independent and hard-to-find magazines focused on fashion, art, design and lifestyle. Manned by brothers Médéric and Nicolas Bogo who are a wealth of knowledge and happiness, you’ll be sure to find a title you love.