About Books in Paris

Sur les livres à Paris

Part of Theme Courses | Reading French Literature

Literary awards

There are many French literary awards. Here are the most famous ones: The Prix Goncourt celebrates a French novel that was published each year. It is meant to help writers progress with their work. The Prix Goncourt is awarded every November, in the Drouant restaurant, Place Gaillon in Paris. The Prix Renaudot is seen as the anti-Goncourt, and awards a written work written in a modern style. The Prix Femina is particular in the sense that the voting committee is made up exclusively of women. The Prix Medicis goes to three styles: novel, story, and essay) and goes to a young author. The Prix Interallié goes to a journalist. And the Prix des Deux Magots – named for a famous French café in the heart of Paris— goes to a promising young author as well.

Of course, there is also the Prix Nobel de littérature, but that prize is not French. Most prizes are deliberated in Parisian cafés or restaurants.

Literary cafés in Paris

There are two famous literary cafés in Paris. Les Deux Magots – 170 blvd, St Germain, 6th: Named after the two wooden statues (the two magots) which still dominate the room, Les Deux Magots is one the most famous cafés in Paris. Jean-Paul Sartre, and Hemingway were both patrons in an earlier era. Its rival – Café de Flore – is just next door, and is very similar in spirit.

Fnac

The Fnac is a huge national and international cultural retail center where many French people shop for books, cds, dvds, audio-visual equipment and more. That is the modern approach to buying books. Of course, one can buy books at the Parisian bouquiniste as well.

Bouquinistes

Bouquinistes in Paris are located in the heart of the city, right around Notre-Dame in the Latin Quarter, along the riverbanks of la Seine. Their looks and their marchandise is closely regulated by the city. Bouquinistes sell old books, rarities, and magazines. They are very popular with tourists, because they are quaint, and also sell magnets and tourist souvenirs