In the City of Light, classic films are still celebrated. From Orson Welles to Francois Truffaut, from John Wayne to Steve McQueen, lovers of cinema can find something for every taste at this one-of-a-kind bookshop. Join me on a visit to a classic film lovers’ bookstore in Paris.
By Harv Bishop
We were randomly walking the streets of the Left Bank Latin Quarter, a haven for Parisian cinephiles, when I saw a vintage sign for a cinema. As a lifetime lover of film, I had to take a look. On the way to the Cinema du Pantheon theatre, built in 1907, I noticed a bookstore. In the window display, my eye was captured by a coffee table book with the late famed French director Francois Truffaut posed in front of a large movie camera.
Then I saw a new French film journal heralding the restoration of Orson Welles’ long lost final film The Other Side of the Wind due on Netflix this fall. I went in still not knowing the bookshop was dedicated entirely to the movies, virtually every book in French.
Noticing the awestruck look on my face, a proprietor, a 50ish grey-haired man, asked if I spoke French.
Classic film lover’s dilemma: The more I see, the more I want
Mountains of classic film memorabilia
The best classic film books and magazines
France’s influence on American films
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Ann Crawford says
I think I’ve been in that bookstore……and I want to be again, after sipping Cafe Americano (sorry) and eating a croque madame. And walking hand-in-hand with Steve along the Seine. And,….and…..and……….
Thanks for bringing me back there.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Ann
Diane Bishop says
Hi, Ann, Bookstores are on the top of our list of places to visit in every new city. Bonus if they have books in English. That wasn’t the case here, but it was still fun to see how much the French enjoy their classic films.