It’s in Lisbon’s Chiado neighborhood and has been running since 1732. In 2011, the Guiness Book of World Records bestowed the longevity designation. Nobody has contested it loudly so it’s likely true. Above is a Still Life with Ta-Nehisi Coates, Hannah Arendt, Rebecca Solnit and Angela Davis.

That all-star quartet wasn’t in the shop, but plenty of others were at 7:30pm on the Wednesday evening we stopped in – shoppers, browsers and a full room at book event. Book buyers take note: they offer to stamp (as in ink stamp) any book you buy. We bought four. And a tote. And a few postcards. And a coffee mug.

Bertrand operates more than 50 branches across the country; its website is here. Wikipedia has a good history here. And here’s a map.

Photos from 1 October 2025.