Bookshops of the World – Livraria Bertrand, Porto
Livraria Bertrand, Porto
Livraria Bertrand is a Portuguese book retailer with 59 branches nationwide. Founded in 1732, its original store in the Chiado neighbourhood of Lisbon was declared to be the oldest operating bookstore in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011. I visited the one in Porto and that was pretty impressive!
The impressive facade:
Livraria Bertrand, Porto (c) The BookTrail
Lets go inside!
Livraria Bertrand, Porto (c) The BookTrail
It felt like bookshops used to feel and smell – that old book smell and dim light. Glorious! All new books and a large children’s section but a bookshop that was loved and used for reading and relaxing. Booksellers were very friendly and helpful as I wandered the isles taking pics of some of the books I have enjoyed in English. Even the name reminds me of the olden days – Betrand sounds like Bernard to me and this is the old man of bookstores.
Livraria Bertrand, Porto (c) The BookTrail
Shelves and shelves of delights with a dedicated children’s section and sofas at the back:
Livraria Bertrand, Porto (c) The BookTrail
Delightful!
Susan x
