Kathleen Hesketh

The Book Lover’s Paris Paris is known as the city of love, but sometimes love is best found between the covers of a good book. So, if your heart soars to Hemingway, Baudelaire or even Stephan King, Paris is the place to be. Below, find some must-see stops on the book-lovers tour of the city. Communing with the Greats Looking to kick-start your creative juices, or maybe just commune with some of the greatest literary minds in history? Cimetière du Montparnasse is the place to go. Hidden inside the post-World War One artistic enclave of Montparnasse, this cemetery is hallowed grounds for the likes of Thomas Beckett and Marguerite Duras. And if the spirits fail to reach you here, stop for a drink at La Closerie des Lilas where Charles Baudelaire once sat, or take a meal at La Coupole where Hemingway drew inspiration. Some say the caramelized apple tart is to die for. Grabbing that Rare Edition After fueling your literary sensibilities, it’s time to browse a first edition or two. Plying their wares of rare volumes, used books and the occasional postcard or map, bouquinestes still line the river Seine, continuing a tradition that dates back to the 1600s. While on the left bank, make a stop at Shakespeare and Company. Opened in 1919 as a library, publishing house and English language bookstore, it can’t lay claim to the lengthy history of the open-air vendors, but this is one place that has seen more than its share of literary stars. If you’re lucky, you might even find that out-of-print Stephan King novel you’ve been looking for. Walking with the Gods Sometimes, it isn’t enough to trace the footsteps of the greats or hear their whispers. You want to live the life. Booking a stay at L’Hôtel, where Oscar Wilde dueled with the wallpaper, will put you in the thick of things, but could easily drain your bank account. If you’re looking for a less costly way to walk the walk, book a stay at the Apostrophe Hotel instead. Surrounded by literary inspiration (check out the poems on the walls and the letters on the stairs), you might find yourself inspired to pen the next great novel. With any luck, you may someday find your name on the list of literary gods who once walked the Paris streets.