Five independent bookshops worth a visit in Bruges

Sayen Tokyay 12 december 2017

I feel lost in a city when I don’t have a favourite local bookshop. I may not be buying books everytime I visit, as I try not to be a tsundoku (*). But simply spending time surrounded by books is always enough to cheer me up, boost my motivation or make me feel present. Touching, smelling, looking at what’s new, noting down some books for my to do list,... As cliché as it sounds, I’ve been like that ever since I’ve known myself. Actually, I still remember vividly how my first 'favourite bookshop' in my home city looked like. I was giving all my pocket money to some precious children books and spending most of my weekends there, after all. I have to admit, I still feel a bit bitter as that bookshop went bankrupt.

In Bruges, I was checking the bookshops as I was walking by since I moved here. But frankly, I only explored them after I decided to write this piece. Now, I am no longer feeling lost. So, to all the bibliophiles out there, here is my selection of the best independent bookshops in Bruges:

1. DE REYGHERE

De Reyghere has a beautiful spot in the middle of the Markt and it’s well deserved- they are the oldest bookstore in the Dutch-speaking part of the country! This 129-year-old bookshop also has two more branches - one of them is for travel book lovers, 'De Reyghere Travel Book Trade', just next door of De Reyghere. The other one is 'De Reyghere Bookoutlet', on one of the side streets that connects to the Markt. They offer a wide range of books, also in English, but I feel that a bookshop spirit is missing in them. It might be me giving unreasonably high importance to the atmosphere when it comes to bookshops. But I think it’s an essential part of the experience. One last note is that, although they have books from numerous genres, I haven’t come across some alluring ones. With all this in mind, I wouldn’t consider De Reyghere a favourite but it definitely is a part of Bruges’ literary memory. 

Address: Markt 12
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closed on Sundays

2. BRUGSE BOEKHANDEL 'DE MEESTER'

Located on lovely Dijver, just a couple of buildings away from the prestigious University institute of postgraduate European studies College of Europe, the history of Brugse Boekhandel dates back to 1934! Koen de Meester, the third generation of the family, proudly spoke to me on how they are one of the few remaining independent bookshops in the city. “We also get along quite well with other bookshops, say hi from me!” he said. The first floor offers a more general selection of books, with several English and French options. You could also see some interesting art books and Bruges-themed history books. The gem of the bookshop, however, is hidden downstairs. Brugse Boekhandel has a special collection of books on lace. Having visited the city of lace, you should definitely take a look! Hundreds of books about this historical fine work with different language options.

Address: Dijver 2
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday
9:00 am - 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Closed on Sundays & public holidays

3. DE STRIEP

The other day, I read something like “Belgian comic books are like Belgian culture distilled to ink and paper” on a travel website and I couldn’t agree more. If you are a comic book person, or just that you would enjoy a quick visit to a massive collection of comics, you are more than welcome to this multi-roomed comic book world. Frankly, my knowledge on comic books is quite limited, but the selection of De Striep is remarkable. As I talked to the owner, I learnt that he is sharing the love of comic books for more than thirty years now. The shop offers graphic novels, various comic books - also some in English- along with exclusive posters and all, but I saved the best part for the end: they have Tintin in more than thirty languages!

Address: Katelijnestraat 42
Opening hours:Tuesday to Saturday
10:00 am - 12:30 pm and 1:30 - 7 pm
Monday:
1:30 - 7 pm
Every first Sunday of the month: 
2 - 6 pm

4. DEN ELDER

Langestraat is not the classic destination for a tourist in Bruges, but I wholeheartedly believe you should take a walk to see how hipster local life looks like in this city. I’ve heard of this 'second-hand bookshop with a crazy good collection of LP's' but thanks to this blog piece I actually had a chance to go. They are the only LP collector in the city, and apparently, the shop attracts curious tourists who are looking for something different. Novels, non-fiction, a shelf of English books, loads of music books - at least 10 books about The Beatles when I visited the shop – is the treasure you would be seeing in Den Elder.

Address: Langestraat 84
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday
10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Closed on Thursdays and Sundays

And the winner of my heart is…

5. RAAKLIJN

With the first step I took into the bookshop, I felt that it is my kind of a bookshop. The calm atmosphere, the subtle book smell, a modern collection, people peacefully checking books and the owner lady talking nicely to two customers. My senses led me immediately to the English book shelf and I was curiously looking at what they have on offer when I heard them speaking about Turkish authors! After the customers left, I also met Cecile Darthet, spouse of Jean Darthet who opened the bookstore in 1964. Mr. Darthet dedicated his whole life to books and his passion for making people meet with literature is still giving its fruits, after over half a century. You could find all-time classics as well as contemporary publications in the store, also some books from prominent Turkish authors. Yet, what I found the most striking is that they have 'La Pléiade'-collection. This special French collection of books is of utmost elegance - with the books printed on bible paper, full leather bound and gilded with fine gold. Mrs. Darthet says she surprisingly found out they have more 'La Pléiade’ books than many bookstores in France. Even taking a book in your hands feels so special. Raaklijn is even more alluring when you see that the public library is just next door. It's a meaningful spot, "as we serve the same public", Mrs. Darthet gently puts.

Address: Kuipersstraat 1
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closed on Sundays

(*) A Japanese word for people who buy more books than they can actually read.