Historic Decitre Bookstore in Lyon to Close, Saddening Long-Time Patrons
Lyon, July 1, 2026 – A century-old institution, the Decitre bookstore on Place Bellecour, is set to close its doors, a decision that has sent shockwaves through Lyon’s literary community. This closure, along with another Decitre store in the Confluence shopping center, marks a significant blow to the city’s cultural heritage.
A Pillar of Lyon’s Book Scene for Over a Century
The Decitre story began in 1907 when Henri Decitre took over the Librairie du Sacré-Cœur, a small religious bookshop. Under the stewardship of his descendants, the business expanded significantly across the Rhône-Alpes region in the late 20th century, at one point boasting seven locations. The Bellecour store, in particular, became a cherished landmark for generations of readers.
Customers expressed profound disappointment at the news. One patron remarked, “I need to have this customer relationship. I’m not at all into online shopping. So I’ll be one of those customers who are quite disappointed by the closure.” Another added, “It’s very sad. I think it’s emblematic of Lyon because I believe it’s one of the first.”
Challenges and Changes in the Book Industry
The bookstore sector has faced increasing challenges, and Decitre has not been immune. In 2013, the group experienced a downturn in revenue, leading to the closure of its historic foreign language bookshop at 6 Place Bellecour and temporary unemployment for 400 staff members. Guillaume Decitre, the group’s president at the time, lamented the closure, stating it was a “twinge in the heart” for him, having known the bookstore since childhood and as the place where his great-grandfather started the business.
In 2019, Decitre was acquired by Les Furets du Nord, a Lille-based company. However, the new group, now called Nosoli, faced its own difficulties and was placed under judicial administration on June 1, 2026. This reflects a broader trend in the industry, where traditional bookstores struggle against declining paper book sales and fierce competition from online giants like Amazon.
A concerned reader noted, “With the big groups like Amazon and company, people don’t come to town much anymore.” Another regular of Place Bellecour expressed worry about the disappearance of local businesses, observing that “on this sidewalk, in the space of a month, three businesses have closed: the store that sold Tachent books, the L’Espace restaurant, and Decitre.”
Future of Remaining Decitre Stores and Broader Impact
While the Bellecour and Confluence locations are slated for closure, the Decitre stores in Part-Dieu and Écully are expected to remain open. The group has yet to announce specific closure dates for the affected branches.
The closure of Decitre Bellecour is more than just the loss of a retail space; it’s the fading of a cultural cornerstone in Lyon. It highlights the ongoing struggle of independent and traditional bookstores to adapt to evolving consumer habits and the dominance of online commerce. The community now faces the challenge of preserving its unique cultural identity in the face of these changes.
