Bertrand Bookstore in Lisbon opened in 1732 and is recognised by Guinness as the oldest operating bookstore in the world, a rare surviving institution that links contemporary Lisbon to three centuries of reading, publishing and intellectual life.
Founding and early years
Bertrand was established in 1732 by Pedro Faure and later joined by Pierre Bertrand, giving the shop the name it still bears. From its earliest days it served readers, students and legal professionals, becoming an essential source of books and printed material in a city that was a hub of commerce and culture in the Portuguese empire.
Surviving history
The shop survived Lisbon’s catastrophic 1755 earthquake and the extensive rebuilding that followed, allowing it to remain a continuous bookselling presence. Over the centuries Bertrand adapted to changing tastes, the rise of new publishers and the transformations of the book trade while preserving a commitment to quality curation and public engagement.
Cultural role and Chiado
Located in Chiado, Lisbon’s historic literary quarter, Bertrand became more than a shop: it was a meeting place for writers, thinkers and students. Its shelves and events fostered literary debate, readings and the informal gatherings that sustain a vibrant literary culture, strengthening Coimbra and Lisbon connections across Portugal’s intellectual life.
Modern day significance
Today Bertrand remains a living institution: a retail space, cultural venue and tourist attraction that still sells new titles and hosts authors. The Guinness recognition highlights its continuous operation and emphasises the historical depth of Portugal’s reading traditions while demonstrating how a small business can retain relevance through adaptation and public service.
Quick related facts
- Founded: 1732.
- Location: Chiado, central Lisbon.
- Recognition: Guinness World Record holder for the oldest operating bookshop.
- Legacy: survived the 1755 earthquake; long history as a cultural meeting place.