The best bookshops Auvergne

Le Grin (pronounced grain - in Mali, it's a meeting place) is a hybrid place, at the same time a bookshop, an associative café, a cultural space (animations, conferences, exhibitions, projections...) and now a restaurant! Mathieu and Mariam, from the association Kodon, also at the initiative of the telephone booth converted into a library near the Jardin Lecoq, have created a multicultural, warm and welcoming space for sharing, just like their couple. The books recovered by the association cover all literatures, the first floor being reserved for the Library of Africa. The restaurant's menu also takes us on a journey, with its dwich formulas, homemade juices and brunches all week long.

Relaunched as a SCOP by some fifteen employees in 2014, it's a mecca for culture. Its shelves cover a wide range of themes: children's literature, novels, comics, fine arts, CDs, DVDs, stationery, school books, etc. Numerous authors come here to meet their readers, programs are concocted with local radio stations, and so on. The employees are the owners of the place and the visitors are the actors of its success. Advice is available as soon as you enter.

Located in the upper town, near the square in front of St. Peter's Cathedral, La Cité du vent bookshop offers a fine selection of books to discover in a serene atmosphere.

It is one of the too few independent bookshops in Cantal, where you feel at home and where you can (re)discover classical or contemporary writers at your ease.

The literature section is full of essentials, from Olivier Adam to Zola, and you can also stroll among the new items placed on a cabinetmaker's piece of furniture, or browse through the history or regionalism sections to satisfy your curiosity.

The bookseller, discreet, will probably invite you to continue your visit at the back of the bookshop, in a small cosy niche where it hosts exhibitions of photographs or paintings according to her favourites. A large youth and comic strip section completes this ensemble, which is very pleasant to the eye and the ear, because the layout of the space of this bookstore is also a promising whisper: it is the breeze of the literary adventure that can be heard there!

The last independent bookshop in Aurillac. The premises, separated into two distinct parts, bring together on the one hand comics, science fiction, children's literature and on the other hand, general literature, detective novels, practical books, documentation, essays, history, esotericism and a space nestled at the back of the large room dedicated to works of art. For those who wish to devote themselves to writing or other forms of art, there is a stationery area in front of the checkouts. A large choice of papers, colours, pens and pencils.

In all major cities in France, Fnac puts culture within the reach of many. For the past few years, Le Puy-en-Velay has been enjoying this group in full development and constantly presenting us with the classics as the latest news in all literature. A great choice and wise advice from expert booksellers in their subjects, but still a stationery space or another dedicated to children. Guides and maps for trekking on the routes of Puy, including the Compostelle.

Is it useful to introduce you to Fnac. It is the place for those who want to make sure they find the latest literary or musical innovations. If your happiness is not on the shelf, an order in store is always possible depending on stocks. Fnac extends over three levels: the ticket office at the entrance avoids queuing inside, books on the first floor, cd and dvd in the basement. Employees are fast but very busy, the difficulty is to catch one, but once the operation is successful, you may be surprised at their efficiency and knowledge of their products. Far from the privacy of record stores or small bookstores, the place answers all requests.

The Blue Goose is first the idea of a city of Saint-Etienne who had the desire to live a rural bookstore. She is called Fabienne Lhopital and she is a graduate in bookstores. The library opened in 2005. It favours daily life works (gardening, well-being, kitchen…) but also works of regional history and works of youth literature. In all, there are almost two thousand available titles, which is quite exceptional for a village of this size. The companion of Fabienne is an author-illustrator for youth. He works on the first floor of the shop and his books are sold in the bookstore, as well as postcards specially designed for the shop. In addition to its bookshop, the hotel also organizes a lounge where you can find products from organic agriculture and fair trade, and the shop contains a gift corner where you can find a whole bunch of nice items to offer. Meetings and demonstrations around book and reading are also organised regularly in October with the Association Read in Celebration.

With its bookstores outside, this little shop is well established on Avenue des Etats-Unis! The ideal break for book lovers and nugget seekers, the stock of opportunities is impressive: more than 12,000 books, more than 20,000 records! Many slightly yellowed paperbacks, some beautiful books in perfect condition, magazines, discs and DVDs. The alphabetical order makes it easy to search, but you can also let yourself be carried away by the bins and shelves to find the rare pearl. The brand also sells, exchanges and buys back. Your books and records will be accepted, or not, according to their interest.

The whole team at the Cultura Montluçon store is at your disposal to share with you a generous vision of culture. You will discover a place where all the creative expressions are there to live culture in its own way. Not to mention creative workshops and animations. Take advantage of the tour of the tourist guides, the Petit Smart, France, the country and the thematic area, and are in good place, partners of choice, to prepare your future holidays in peace and quiet.

There are almost everything in books and multimedia (DVD, CD, video games, computer, telephony). The sign is a beautiful part of the books: novels, polars, literary novelties, essays… Also a youth radius, with books of awakening, tales and novels. The BD radius is also provided with relatively new titles and a beautiful selection of mangas. A travel/travel guide radius, and also extracurricular, political, legal and economic works… The friendly staff is really available, and orders the title or article that is no longer in store. Comfortable armchairs and sofas invite you to take the time to browse before buying.

A bookstore that, behind its beautiful front, offers good books for the whole family and postcards. The smiling welcome makes it pleasant to come and stroll around this shop, to find the book we need and that we will devour for an evening, a night, a day or leaf through with delight for several months.

The event is rare enough to be reported, "Les Raconteurs d'Histoires" is a new bookstore opened in 2010. A stone's throw from the town hall of Chamalières, on the path of schoolchildren, through its rather generalist departments, it offers a wide choice of French and foreign literature, detective stories, novels and youth albums, human sciences, comic strips and practical life. A comfortable area is reserved for children where they can consult a wide range of children's books. As its name suggests, the bookseller loves beautiful stories and will be delighted to share with you his favourites and readings, with advice for the little onions!

In this bouquinerie you will find new and used books, regional heritage magazines, postcards, products and objects from here and elsewhere. You can enjoy tea and coffee without reading anything. Buy, cram, sip, dreaming, babbling or any other activities of this type. It is a place of meeting and exchange around literary culture, where regularly speakers bring a new theme to exciting moments.

Books are a real invitation to travel. They become even more so when they are written in a foreign language. This is what Émilie Debur and Marie Gustot propose by opening an international bookshop-cafe. From novels to plays, detective stories to poetry, the books on offer are in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian... there is something for everyone. The shelves are colourful and the atmosphere is friendly. We like to get lost in the books, to start a new journey on the spot with a tea and to finish it at home.

From the outside, one would expect a simple tobacconist's shop. However, the Savane has managed to forge a new identity. Obviously, it keeps its first cap and offers magazines and newspapers, but inside, several entrances are offered to the visitor. If you take the stairs up, you will find the tea room. Two floors down, the Savane becomes a fashion accessories store. Another change of scenery with the decoration-gift room. Selection for children, home accessories, cosmetics... It's hard to leave empty-handed!

This 1,200 ^m2 space houses more than 80,000 book references in a bright setting overlooking Clermont-Ferrand. From novels to comics to youth, the attentive staff will be able to advise you. You will also find everything you need in music, DVDs, as well as a well-stocked creative leisure section that organizes workshops to support its creation. Latest culture news, good classics, a haven of culture where you can take a break after the races. The place also allows you to book your show tickets.

The Pochothèque has been part of the Clermont-Ferrand landscape for over 30 years! Lovers of beautiful books and old books know Dominique Volat's little store well. For the others, you will have to look for it in a small alley of the Clermont-Ferrand hillock, not far from the Place de la Victoire. Once inside the shop, you will be surrounded by thousands of books, each one more beautiful than the next. From simple historical booklets to beautiful editions, you will find everything you need to fill your library and to educate yourself on various subjects. The welcome is warm: don't hesitate to ask for advice if you have trouble finding what you want! The prices are rather affordable.

If your shelves are overflowing with books, Ambre Ponnier buys them back from you for one euro per kilo! Once sold, you'll have room to buy new books and enjoy new hours of reading. You have understood the principle: with the Bibliovore - a franchise born in Tours in 2012 - you encourage the circular economy, by buying second-hand books. The selling prices are low: three euros per book, whatever the format, small or large. All genres are on the shelves: paperback novels, children's literature, fine art or history books, comic books... Come without any specific idea and leave with a bag full of books!

Since spring 2020, Julie Belland and Alexandre Roy have been welcoming customers to their friendly independent bookshop. In a 150 m² space, novels, children's books, comics, mangas and board games are carefully arranged. The wide range of books on offer delights both visiting curists and locals alike. Writing workshops, meetings with authors and even literary cafés and gaming events are organized on a regular basis. Whether you're an avid or occasional reader, come in and find your next book!

This Clermont-Ferrand-based publishing house was founded in 2014 by Valentin Mathé. La Poule qui pond is specialized in children's literature, from birth to college. The collection all cardboard is thought for the toddlers. A material that allows children a first approach to the book by manipulating it. A series of documentaries, entitled "Mondes futurs", developed by the newspaper Albert, addresses current issues. La Poule qui pond also offers a syllabic collection for young readers with dyslexia or learning difficulties. This collection is now accompanied by works for teenagers and adults.