Relay shop at Lyon station faces changes

The Relay shop at Lyon station in Paris, known in literary circles as "Le dernier village gaulois," is undergoing changes that have raised concerns among readers and book lovers.

Last independent bookstore in region

This shop, along with another at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, was the last independent-style bookstore in the Île-de-France region operated by Lagardère, a company controlled by media mogul Vincent Bolloré.

Changes to book selection

According to Mediapart, Lagardère plans to remove the ability for the Lyon station bookstore to order its own books, leaving it with a selection dictated by the company’s headquarters.

Introduction of non-book items

Some of the books currently available at the shop will be replaced by Lego toys, a move that has drawn criticism from those who see it as a shift away from the bookstore’s literary focus.