Bookstores targeted in European violence

Following the violence on October 17, bookstores across Europe have reported significant damage and looting, with incidents continuing into the night of October 18 to 19 in France. Managers and owners described widespread vandalism, raising concerns about the future of their businesses in cities like Paris, Grenoble, and Strasbourg.

French bookstores face severe damage

In Paris, several Fnac stores in Nantes and Lille were damaged, marking the first major assessment of vandalism linked to demonstrations. The children's bookstore La Belle Lurette Jeunesse near the Bastille was severely damaged, with its team expressing deep sadness over the destruction. In Grenoble, the bookstore Momie Mangas announced it would close indefinitely after being looted.

Support efforts begin for affected stores

Solidarity efforts have started, with a support fund launched by Corentin Quinette. However, the initiative is described as personal rather than officially organized. The damage extended beyond traditional bookstores in Paris, affecting shops specializing in manga, figurines, video games, and collectible cards along Boulevard Voltaire.

Manga and collectible stores also impacted

Stores such as Manga Story, Hobby One, and One Repar reported looting and significant losses. At Manga Story, managers were shocked by the extent of the damage, as the store is a popular hub for Japanese culture fans. Hobby One shared images of the damage on Instagram and started a fundraising campaign.

Strasbourg and Italian demonstrations

In Strasbourg, the bookstore Librairie du Monde entier had its window smashed, with additional damage reported in the city center. In Italy, demonstrations on October 17 were driven by rising living costs and dissatisfaction with energy, fuel, and food prices. The mobilization, organized by apolitical citizen groups on social media, spread to cities like Milan, Turin, and Bologna.

Violence and uncertainty in Italy

In Turin, a peaceful gathering turned into clashes with police, and the Feltrinelli bookstore at Porta Nuova station was attacked by a group of individuals, some of whom were masked. It remains unclear whether books were stolen or if the attack targeted the bookstore's editorial activity. Twelve individuals, ten of whom were minors, were arrested, but their direct involvement in the attack was not confirmed.

Independent bookstores in crisis

In Argentina, the independent bookstore sector is in a state of emergency, with a 41.5% drop in real turnover between the first eight months of 2023 and the same period in 2026. The federation of independent bookstores, FALPA, has called for government intervention. In France, negotiations between the French Bookstore Union (SLF) and employees' unions have stalled.

New initiatives and openings

In Montpellier, 56 cooperative bookstores are preparing to create a national network, with an event scheduled for October 25 and 26, 2026. In Montélimar, the LirandCo bookstore is set to open a new store, offering a wide range of books and a tea shop. In Aixe-Sur-Vienne, the Librairie d'Elfes has been placed in judicial recovery. In the United Kingdom, a YouGov survey found that nine out of ten visitors to bookstores reported improved moods after visiting.