La librairie de l'inconnu: esoteric store in Odéon

La Librairie de l'Inconnu is unknown in name only. Anyone interested in the invisible, spirituality, energies, or even just personal development, will be familiar with this esoteric bookshop in theOdéon district.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the famous store has moved. Formerly located at 84 rue du Cherche-Midi, Librairie de l'Inconnu has moved to rue de l'Odéon, still in the 6th arrondissement, and now boasts an attractive 70 m2 space. We're greeted by the charming Mylène, who has been passionate aboutesotericism since she was a teenager, and is always ready to listen to our queries and advise us.

Specializing in spirituality, esotericism, well-being and alternative medicine, Librairie de l'Inconnu is one of the best-stocked esoteric bookshops in Paris. It stocks around 5,000 references of books of all kinds: tarot cards, white magic, feng-shui, reiki, there's something for everyone.

In addition to books, there's also a wide selection of cards, and many open decks on display, which can be viewed and handled freely. The handmade dreamcatchers are delightful, and cost around 18€.

The store's other specialty is its soaps, designed especially for Librairie de l'Inconnu by a soap-maker near Grasse, and made from plants chosen for their therapeutic virtues. These include the star soap, "L'Inconnu", with lavender to purify and protect, rose to attract love, and sandalwood to energize. The soap costs €7.10 each, the 3 soaps €18 and the 5 €28.

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You'll also find all the rest of the usual divinatory products, such as crystal balls, pendulums, tarot cards or runes (small pebbles once used for divination by Viking and Germanic peoples), as well asincense, Bach flowers and stones.

Budget-wise, we're about average, with a wide range of prices. Runes range from €27.50 for the Healing Runes box to €55 for rock crystal runes, crystal balls from €30 to €90, and pendulums from €9 to €80.

It's clean, tidy and smells good. This is the antithesis of the image one might have of an esoteric bookshop where grimoires pile up on dusty old shelves.

La librairie de l'Inconnu also offers on its website thematic dossiers that are particularly well put together, clear, concise and, of course, free!

Note that opening times change in summer, so check the store's website to make sure it's open before planning your visit. You can also order online if you're in a hurry, or if you're too much of a Right Bank fan to cross the Seine!