Livraria Bertrand

From the eighteenth century, there was the arrival of a large number of French booksellers to Portugal, including Pedro Faure, who went on to found what we know today as "Livraria Bertrand".

Lisbon then had the presence of several compatriots of Pedro Faure, who were developing activities in the same industry, it seems, creating a tradition of printers and booksellers of French origin in Portugal.

Pedro Faure, who already in 1727 was a leading printed shop in Cordoaria Velha, opened a bookstore in 1732, probably with his name on Rua Direita do Loreto, close to the current Livraria Bertrand do Chiado.

Facing the pressure they were forced to find another location, and settled in the Capela de Nossa Senhora das Necessidades in a place called "Senhor Jesus da Boa Morte".

However, eighteen years later, in 1773, he returned to the rebuilt Lisbon Baixa (Pombaline Lower Town area), leading to the rebirth of the Livraria Bertrand in Rua Garrett, where it remains until the present day.

The widow, an active woman who always helped in the management of the company, led the family business, invariably dressed in black silk.

In 1791, the library's catalog included 169 titles, but if sought, many other books were available in the store, not counting those who could order in various parts of the kingdom or from foreign countries.

Later, in the nineteenth century, three of the children of George and Marianna Borel Bertrand – John Joseph, Andrew and Francis Xavier – take charge of the bookstore and future publishing business.

In 1912, ownership of the "Livraria Bertrand" was with the firm 'Aillaud Bastos & Alves' editors in Paris, Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro.

The pioneering library always remained open in Chiado, providing a wide range of all types of books along its six successive halls.

After the death of Marcel Didier, in 1969, Georges Lucas promoted the sale of his position to Portuguese financier Manuel Bullosa.