Bookstore De Vries Van Stockum | a must see during your visit Haarlem

This store consists of multiple historic buildings (dating from approximately 1500 AD), linked through neat little passageways. Why? Because the bookstore that opened its doors in one of those buildings in 1905 wouldn’t stop growing.

This shop does not only sell stories. It is made OF stories - from the roof to the basement where the coals for the fire place still linger in the dust (the fireplace was used in winter until only three years ago), and from the picturesque façade right down to the back wall - the old city wall.

Once-upon-a-time starts here

Visit our historic bookstore in Haarlem | Practical info

• Shop entrance: Jacobijnestraat 7 (open Google Maps location)
  
  
• Parking advice: De Raaks Parking garage. Car entrance at Zijlvest 45 (open Google Maps location). Pedestrian access via Drossestraat (Raaks) (open Google Maps location)
  
  
• Please check this page for up-to-date opening hours
  
  
• English books: our store has a separate section for English fiction, a separate bookcase for English young- and new adult books in the young adult section and a few separate shelves for English childrens books in the children's books section. Non-fiction books are sorted by subject and not by language, but we usually have books in both English and Dutch.
  
  
• Enjoy your bookhaul in Le Petit Cafe, a French bistro connected to the bookstore
  

About this historic bookstore

In 1905, Hendrick de Vries started a bookstore in Jacobijnestraat 3. It soon expanded to the four buildings surrounding no. 3 and these new departments were connected to each other - nót by knocking down the walls in between – but by making quirky little passages between them. This way, the store preserved its intimate atmosphere and the building maintained its tell-tale walls. Booksellers are often spotted proudly narrating the store’s history whilst guiding customers and tourists past architectural oddities.

Losing track of time browsing books is no exceptional feat – especially here. But Jeltje de Vries’ smart watch is ticking just fine. “Open-minded enterprising is in our blood. My great-grandfather certainly was. He was the first bookseller in the Netherlands who insisted on leaving the front door open – much to the dismay of his contemporary competitors.” – Jeltje de Vries, great-granddaughter of Hendrik de Vries and current owner of De Vries Van Stockum.

See also: Books on Haarlem and souvenirs | Store information | About our historic bookstores and locations