Work and Stay at Shakespeare and Company in Paris

Work and Stay at Shakespeare and Company in Paris Work and Stay at Shakespeare and Company in Paris The current Shakespeare and Co. follows in the tradition of the original store opened by Sylvia Beach in 1921. Beachs store, which was frequented by Gertrude Stein, Hemingway, and Pound (and published Ulysses when no one else would), closed during WWII, but George Whitman, a friend of Beach, opened a new store in 1956. Whitmans store continued to attract writers like William Burroughs and Henry Miller, who described it as a wonderland of books. Its currently run by his daughter Sylvia Whitman. More Than a Bookstore Not only is Shakespeare and Company an atmospheric bookstore, but it also provides a community to English-speaking expats and travelers, hosting a travel writing festival, a festival of literature, writing groups, photography workshops, and readings. Why Shakespeare and Company Is Important to Writers Beyond providing reading material and inspiration, Shakespeare and Company allows writers to stay for free in exchange for helping out in the bookstore. The bookstore can accommodate five or six writers at a time, and writers may stay as long as they want. George Whitmans goal in instituting the practice was to provide writers time to write and, in his own words, to repay the hospitality I received in many countries when I was a vagabond. How to Arrange to Stay Call or email in advance if you know your plans, or stop by to inquire. Note that accommodations are as casual as their booking system, however. If youre beyond backpacking, its probably better to get a hotel room instead. If you are interested in being a Tumbleweed (which is what they call people who stay at the bookshop), send an email  with “Tumbleweed” in the subject line. The stores website stresses that privacy is not really an option and that all Tumbleweeds are expected  and asked only to read a book a day, help out in the shop for a couple of hours and write a single-page autobiography for Georges archives.   Events   The bookshop holds many literary events, from readings to discussions to story hours. Most of these events are free, so if you are in town, be sure to check out their calendar first. In addition, they have a great podcast  which features Don Delillo! They also give space for local workshops which are run externally, but which benefit the community. Getting to Shakespeare and Company Shakespeare and Company is located at 37 rue de la Bucherie in the Latin Quarter, near métro Saint-Michel. Call them at 00 33 (0)1 43 25 40 93. Main Shop is open  every day from 10 am to 11 pm.Antiquarian is open  Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm.