Paris occupies a special place in French antiquarian books. The city has been both the country’s leading publishing centre and, for four centuries, one of its most abundantly illustrated subjects. From Turgot’s plans to Baedeker guides, from the physiologies of the July Monarchy to the albums of the Belle Époque, Parisian production forms a collection in its own right.

Our catalogue currently includes over a thousand references related to Paris, several hundred of which are immediately available: histories of districts, topography, engraved views, memoirs, guides and documents.

Our selection of antiquarian books on Paris

Paris, Joanne, Adolphe, Paris illustré, 1880<span Paris Joanne Adolphe Paris illustré 1880</span></span>

Paris, Joanne, Adolphe, Paris illustré, 1880❦ Paris Joanne Adolphe Paris illustré 1880

48,00€

Paris through the Ages<span PARIS A TRAVERS LES AGES</span></span>

Paris through the Ages❦ PARIS A TRAVERS LES AGES

100,00€

Paris Manuel or New Guide for the Walker in the Tuileries 1806❦…

260,00€

Souvenirs de Paris en 1804<span Paris KOTZEBUE Souvenirs de Paris en 1804</span></span>

Souvenirs de Paris en 1804❦ Paris KOTZEBUE Souvenirs de Paris en 1804

200,00€

Louis Veuillot. The Scents of Paris 1867<span VEUILLOT (Louis). Les Odeurs de Paris 1867</span></span>

Louis Veuillot. The Scents of Paris 1867❦ VEUILLOT (Louis). Les Odeurs de…

44,00€

Léon Bloy. The Soul of Napoleon. Paris: Mercure de France, 1912<span BLOY (Léon). L’âme de Napoléon. Paris Mercure de France 1912</span></span>

Léon Bloy. The Soul of Napoleon. Paris: Mercure de France, 1912❦ BLOY…

38,00€

Hugo, Notre-Dame de Paris, 105 x 165 mm<span Hugo Notre-Dame de Paris 105 x 165 mm</span></span>

Hugo, Notre-Dame de Paris, 105 x 165 mm❦ Hugo Notre-Dame de Paris…

77,00€

Joseph Hemard, Le Grand Clapier de Paris, 1956<span HEMARD (Joseph) Le Grand Clapier de Paris 1956</span></span>

Joseph Hemard, Le Grand Clapier de Paris, 1956❦ HEMARD (Joseph) Le Grand…

50,00€

Paris, Niépce & Charensol, The Book of Paris<span paris NIEPCE CHARENSOL Le livre de Paris</span></span>

Paris, Niépce & Charensol, The Book of Paris❦ paris NIEPCE CHARENSOL Le…

30,60€

Mini Revolution: Most Interesting Epochs Revolutions of Paris or The Triumph<span Mini révolution Époques les plus intéressantes Révolutions de Paris ou le Triomp</span></span>

Mini Revolution: Most Interesting Epochs Revolutions of Paris or The Triumph❦ Mini…

252,00€

Louvre Grand Hôtel and Department Stores Paris<span LOUVRE Grand Hôtel et Grands Magasins PARIS</span></span>

Louvre Grand Hôtel and Department Stores Paris❦ LOUVRE Grand Hôtel et Grands…

260,00€

Albert Robida Paris from century to century - The heart of Paris.…

250,00€

Voir tous les ouvrages disponibles sur Paris dans le catalogue

What constitutes an antiquarian Parisian book

Four main categories of works recur constantly in collections devoted to the capital.

Topography and district histories: arrondissement monographs, street histories, scholarly works by local historians published between 1850 and 1930, often printed in small runs and now difficult to find.
Paris transformed by Haussmann: the second half of the 19th century produced a wealth of nostalgic works on the old Paris that was demolished, illustrated with etchings and lithographs. This is the heart of the market.
Guides and almanacs: from trade almanacs to guides for the Universal Exhibition, these everyday volumes have become primary historical documents.
Views, plans and prints: single sheets or collected volumes, often extracted from disbound works, highly sought after for framing.

Paris was also home to major publishers who defined 19th-century bibliophily: Hetzel for illustrated publisher’s bindings, Curmer for Romantic books, Hachette for mass-market distribution, Vollard and then Skira for fine-art livres de luxe. A Parisian book is therefore judged as much by its subject as by its publisher and binding.

Do you own antiquarian books on Paris or a library to be appraised?
We provide free appraisals based on photographs, within 48 working hours, and we purchase libraries throughout France. Request a free appraisal

Appraising or selling antiquarian books in Paris

We regularly purchase libraries in Paris and the Île-de-France region. No travel is required on your part.

Send us photographs: shelf shots of the entire collection, then title pages and bindings of the volumes you consider the oldest.
We respond within 48 working hours with an initial valuation and, if necessary, a list of items for which we require further details.
For a significant collection, we travel on-site at our expense for a complete examination and a firm offer.

A point that often surprises Parisian sellers: Haussmann-style apartments frequently conceal so-called family libraries, assembled between 1880 and 1930, where the interest lies in only a few dozen volumes. The rest may have documentary value but little commercial worth. Professional sorting prevents valuable items from being sold off with the commonplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you buy antique books directly in Paris?

Yes. We purchase throughout France, with on-site visits at our expense for significant collections. For individual volumes, appraisal is conducted via photographs and shipping is arranged via tracked parcel.

Which books about Paris hold the most value?

Illustrated 19th-century works on Old Paris, antique maps, low-print-run district monographs, and copies in well-preserved period bindings. Date alone does not determine value: an 1880 book in a signed binding often surpasses a tattered 1750 volume.

Do you deliver books purchased in Paris?

All shipments within metropolitan France are free, via tracked parcel with reinforced packaging. We also ship worldwide.

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Books on old Paris: topography, history and engravings