La librairie, 377 King St., Hammersmith, W6 9NJ. +44 (0)20 8741 9484 Stamford Brook ›

Fabulous second-hand French bookshop: lots of Gallimard Blanche, poetry, classics; a quarter of the place for kid's books.

For a day out: start here, have a couple of drinks along the river, then back up to Hammersmith, pick up the tube and head to ...

Librairie La Page, 7 Harrington Rd., South Kensington, SW7 3ES. +44 (0)20 7589 5991 South Kensington ›

South Kensington's Librairie La Page is friendly and community-minded (lots of kids' books, newspapers and magazines). Regular literary events.

Grant & Cutler at Foyles, 4th floor, 107 Charing Cross Rd., WC2H 0DT. +44 (0)20 7440 3248 Tottenham Court Rd. ›

Much reduced in the last few years, but with knowledgeable staff and a (busy) cafe one flight up.

Skoob Books, 66, The Brunswick, off Marchmont St., WC1N 1AE. +44 (0)20 7278 8760 Russel Sq. ›

An outstanding second-hand bookshop with a couple of shelves of French novels.

Waterstones, 3rd floor, 82 Gower St., WC1E 6EQ. +44 (0)20 7636 1577 Googe St. ›

A small collection with the emphasis on academic texts.