THE ABBEY

In 1989, Toronto native Brian Spence crossed the Atlantic to establish the Abbey Bookshop in Paris, introducing his literary vision to an international audience. Nestled in the heart of the Latin Quarter, the Abbey Bookshop has flourished for over thirty-five years, becoming a cultural hub for Canadians, Anglophones, and Anglophiles from around the globe. While the shop showcases an impressive selection of Canadian books, its true allure lies in an eclectic collection of more than 40,000 English titles, spanning from scholarly works to popular literature.

 

The shop sits at rue de la Parcheminerie, a street once known as rue des Écrivains, named for the scribes and scriveners who formed the backbone of Paris's book trade. In the late Middle Ages, parchment makers replaced them, giving the street its current name. On July 1, 1989, the Abbey Bookshop revived the literary spirit of this historic street, bringing the book trade back to its roots.

 

Spence serendipitously found the perfect home for his shop in the eighteenth-century Hôtel Dubuisson, one of the most striking buildings in the Latin Quarter. This historic structure is classified as a protected monument, celebrated for its picturesque façade, intricate sculptural details, and beautifully carved doors.