La Griffe Noire, a bookstore in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés that opened in 1987, has been denied the "Reference Independent Bookstore" label by the National Center for the Book (CNL), sparking discussion and support from the literary and publishing communities. The CNL recently provided more details about the rejection of the bookstore’s 2026 application, stating that it was turned down because of "fragmented and incomplete" responses, especially concerning the number of book titles available. Although the bookstore previously held the label, it lost it in 2022, and the negative opinion on the new application has not yet been officially communicated. According to the CNL, the label is awarded for three years and is based on specific criteria, including a minimum number of titles in stock. These numbers vary depending on the bookstore’s annual turnover. For general bookstores, the requirement is 6,000 titles if the annual sales are less than or equal to 600,000 euros, and 10,000 titles if the turnover is higher. La Griffe Noire is known for having a much larger selection than these thresholds. However, the CNL noted that the bookstore’s responses to the application were incomplete, especially regarding the number of titles it carries. The CNL also reminded everyone that in 2018, when the label was last renewed, the commission had found the bookstore’s "animation policy"—a term used to describe activities like readings, events, and community engagement—"just barely sufficient" and requested it to be improved. This assessment might seem surprising, given the bookstore’s active role in literary events such as Saint-Maur en Poche and Créteil en Poche, and the media presence of its co-founder, Gérard Collard. The CNL clarified that there have been no recent changes to the rules for the label, and the criteria are set by official regulations. Each bookstore is assessed individually, and the label is not awarded from a fixed budget. The CNL stated that it has "neither modified the criteria for awarding the label nor received instructions to reduce the number of bookstores benefiting from it." Gérard Collard has criticized the CNL and the DRAC (Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs) for a lack of transparency and has called for a "total reform" of these institutions. He has accused them of using "soporific administrative jargon" and of "passing the hot potato," a phrase meaning avoiding difficult issues. He has demanded clear answers about the people and instances involved in reviewing the application. The CNL emphasized that no official decision on the 2026 application has been formally sent to La Griffe Noire yet. The commission has issued a negative opinion, and the report has been sent to the DRAC, which is responsible for officially notifying the bookstore. The deadline for the regional prefects to make a decision is August 31, with notifications expected in September. If the decision is unfavorable, La Griffe Noire can file a discretionary appeal with the regional prefect or directly approach the administrative court to request the decision’s annulment. Support for La Griffe Noire remains strong, with over 3,300 signatures collected on a petition launched on August 27. The official notification of the decision and, if needed, the bookstore’s response will be crucial in determining the next steps in this ongoing situation.