Librairie du Square may be small in size, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to literary substance. Founded in 1985 by Françoise Careil and now co-owned by Jonathan Caquereau and Éric Simard, this Saint-Denis fixture serves a devoted clientele of students, professors, and passionate readers from the surrounding Quartier Latin.

Tucked between UQAM and Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, the bookstore specializes in literature, poetry, theatre, and philosophy, with an especially strong selection of Québec and French-language titles. The staff are sharp, generous with recommendations, and run a top-notch special order service. Despite its modest footprint, the shop feels dense with possibility—every shelf curated with care. It’s a place where you can ask about obscure poets or find the latest breakout novel, all while chatting with people who genuinely love books.