My favourite hobby is reading – this when I am not traveling or writing. Fortunately, when growing up, books were always in plenty – at home, school or the local “district” library in my hometown. Books were the source of knowledge and entertainment and were the triggers for my imagination.
Thus in Paris when I found myself looking at the board that said GALIGNANI and below it – The First English Bookshop on the Continent,” I was stunned.
And excited. Over the moon would be a good expression to use here and after getting myself photographed by the door by another equally enthusiastic tourist, I dashed inside to know more about this gem!
Sight for sore eyes
As any book lover suddenly finding themselves in book-heaven I was looking forward to inhaling the aroma of books – and with it, centuries of dust, poetry and prose and autobiographies resting the pages of books standing on the shelves.
It is a proven fact that during German occupation, Galignani were banned from selling books in English and were forced to switch to fine art books.
It goes without saying that stepping inside Galignani is a feast for the eyes, but even the window displays are a visual treat. Galignani make a point of updating their windows every fortnight to entice readers in with a wealth of books on the hot topics of the moment.
That I love books and libraries is a given! I love the smell of old books, a dusty corner in the library, old shelves with overflowing books…as much as any other book lover and Galignani was just that – although there was nothing that “old” about it!
History
This is what I learnt – In the year 1520 Galignani had started off as a publishing house. About 300 years later, in the year 1801, one of the Galignani (Giovanni Antonio) opened a bookshop with an English reading room on rue Vivienne before finally movie to its current location in 1856 after having moved several locations over four centuries.
It is known as the first English bookshop established on the Continent and continues be an important part of Paris’ vibrant literary community and still run by direct descendants of the original family.
Location: This library has moved from its original place and is currently at the posh arcade of rue de Rivoli.
If you are in the neighbourhood of the Louvre and see this horse statue (below), be assured you are pretty close. This library is on the left side of this statue in the arcade.
Galignani is the only continental English bookstore which could easily compete (and win) with its UK counterparts in terms of age. Although the library doesn’t look at all OLD as one would think – meaning, it doesn’t have the touch of “antique” as is fully functional and well stocked library and proper modern fittings and all – but it is still the oldest!
And, through its years of existence, the library has welcomed a few great historical names – including Ernest Hemingway (my personal favourite), André Malraux, Orson Welles and Marlene Dietrich.
If you are looking for English-language books, then head straight to the back of the store. This is where they’ll find all your English titles – including works of modern fiction and classics.
Love visiting libraries. In fact, Europe is home to some of the most beautiful libraries. Did you have the chance to look at the Shakespeare and Co in Paris?
Actually – NO!!! This one happened quite by chance! Next time – am due to travel there in a few months again!