Bookstores in Lyon
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes gives you 168 to judge by. That's 168 bookshops mapped around Lyon, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Staff picks shelves are the fastest way to read a shop's personality.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around Lyon (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include L'Esprit Livre and Au Vieux Campeur, plus La Maison de la Presse. If a bookshop's missing from Lyon's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Lyon bookstore lineup
168 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
L'Esprit Livre
Bookstore
L'Esprit Livre is Bookstore. L'Esprit Livre also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 72 91 69 50
Au Vieux Campeur
Bookstore
Au Vieux Campeur is Bookstore. Au Vieux Campeur also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo 11:00-19:00; Tu-Fr 11:00-19:30; Sa 10:00-19:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo 11:00-19:00; Tu-Fr 11:00-19:30; Sa 10:00-19:00
La Maison de la Presse
Bookstore
La Maison de la Presse — Bookstore.
Mystère et Boule de Gomme
Bookstore
Mystère et Boule de Gomme — Bookstore.
Cultura
Bookstore
Cultura — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Cultura: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00
La Librairie du Tramway
Bookstore
La Librairie du Tramway is Bookstore. La Librairie du Tramway also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 78 14 52 27
Expérience bis
Bookstore
Expérience bis — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Expérience bis: the map lists its hours as Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-12:30, 14:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-12:30, 14:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 78 03 56 92
Librairie Le Bal des Ardents
Bookstore
Librairie Le Bal des Ardents is Bookstore on 17 Rue Neuve, Lyon. Librairie Le Bal des Ardents also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
17 Rue Neuve, Lyon, 69001
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 72 98 83 36
Librairie Ouvrir l'Œil
Bookstore
Librairie Ouvrir l'Œil — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Librairie Ouvrir l'Œil: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 11:00-19:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-19:30
Phone: +33 4 78 27 69 29
Maxilivres
Bookstore
Maxilivres is Bookstore. Maxilivres also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-13:30,14:30-19:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-13:30,14:30-19:00
Fantasio
Bookstore
Fantasio is Bookstore. Fantasio also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 06:30-19:00.
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:30-19:00
Rive gauche
Bookstore
Rive gauche is Bookstore. Rive gauche also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
69007
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33478727245
La Plume Noire
BookstoreRun by Union Communiste Libertaire
La Plume Noire is Bookstore run by Union Communiste Libertaire. La Plume Noire also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Sa 15:00-19:00; We 17:00-19:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Sa 15:00-19:00; We 17:00-19:00
Librairie Lucioles
Bookstore
Librairie Lucioles — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Librairie Lucioles: the map lists its hours as Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu-Th,Sa 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu-Th,Sa 09:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 74 85 53 08
Librairie Esperluette
Bookstore
Librairie Esperluette — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Librairie Esperluette: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 15:00-19:00, 09:30-13:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Tu-Sa 15:00-19:00, 09:30-13:00
Phone: +33 9 88 34 33 72
Librairie libertaire La Gryffe
Bookstore
Librairie libertaire La Gryffe — Bookstore, found on 5 Rue Sébastien Gryphe in Lyon. Also worth knowing about Librairie libertaire La Gryffe: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 14:00-19:00; Sa 11:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; PH off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
5 Rue Sébastien Gryphe, Lyon, 69007
Hours: Mo-Fr 14:00-19:00; Sa 11:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; PH off
Phone: +33 4 78 61 02 25
Terre des Livres
Bookstore
Terre des Livres — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Terre des Livres: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 78 72 84 22
Lettres à Croquer
BookstoreRun by indépendant
Run by indépendant, Lettres à Croquer is Bookstore on 104 Cours Émile Zola. Also worth knowing about Lettres à Croquer: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-18:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
104 Cours Émile Zola
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-18:30
Phone: +33 9 63 68 15 52
Archipel Librairie
Bookstore
Archipel Librairie — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Archipel Librairie: the map lists its hours as Tu-Fr,Su 13:00-19:00; Sa 11:00-19:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Tu-Fr,Su 13:00-19:00; Sa 11:00-19:00
Tabac Presse des Mont d'Or
Bookstore
Tabac Presse des Mont d'Or — Bookstore.
BD Oullins
Bookstore
BD Oullins is Bookstore. BD Oullins also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00.
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00
Au temps livre
Used bookstore
Au temps livre is Used bookstore. Au temps livre also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 12:30-19:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Su 12:30-19:00
L'Ode aux Papillons
Bookstore
L'Ode aux Papillons — Bookstore.
Biss & Biss
Bookstore
Biss & Biss — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Biss & Biss: the map lists its hours as 17:00-22:00; Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 15:00-23:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: 17:00-22:00; Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 15:00-23:00
La Procure
Bookstore
La Procure is Bookstore. La Procure also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-12:30,14:30-19:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu-Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-12:30,14:30-19:00
U Culture
BookstoreRun by Coopérative U
Run by Coopérative U, U Culture is Bookstore, found on 6 Place Dumas de Loire in Lyon. Also worth knowing about U Culture: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00.
6 Place Dumas de Loire, Lyon, 69009
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00
Les bienheureux
Bookstore
Les bienheureux is Bookstore. Les bienheureux also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
Sana
Bookstore
Sana — Bookstore.
Develay
Bookstore
Develay is Bookstore. Develay also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:30-12:30,14:00-19:00; Sa 09:30-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-12:30,14:00-19:00; Sa 09:30-19:00
Phone: +33 4 74 65 01 49
Le Père Penard
Used bookstore
Le Père Penard — Used bookstore. Also worth knowing about Le Père Penard: the map lists its hours as Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 10:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00; Mo, We-Fr 10:00-12:00, 14:00-19:00; Tu 14:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 10:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00; Mo, We-Fr 10:00-12:00, 14:00-19:00; Tu 14:00-19:00
Phone: +33478383246
Leclerc Culture
Bookstore
Leclerc Culture — Bookstore.
Sale Karactere
Bookstore
Sale Karactere is Bookstore on 16, Saint-Georges-d'Espéranche. Sale Karactere also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
16, Saint-Georges-d'Espéranche, 38790
Phone: +33 4 74 15 03 29
La case en +
Bookstore
La case en + — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about La case en +: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 78 58 54 49
Relié Delivre
Bookstore
Relié Delivre — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Relié Delivre: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 08:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-19:00; Su 10:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-19:00; Sa 09:30-19:00; Su 10:00-18:00
Phone: +33 9 73 65 41 38
Librairie La Madeleine
Bookstore
Librairie La Madeleine — Bookstore, found on 20 Rue de la Madeleine in Lyon. Also worth knowing about Librairie La Madeleine: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 09:30-19:00; Su 10:00-13:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
20 Rue de la Madeleine, Lyon, 69007
Hours: Tu-Sa 09:30-19:00; Su 10:00-13:00
Phone: +33 9 53 20 39 14
Librairie des 3 archanges
Bookstore
Librairie des 3 archanges — Bookstore.
Les Bulles de Vienne
Bookstore
Les Bulles de Vienne — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Les Bulles de Vienne: the map lists its hours as Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Vienne, 38200
Hours: Mo 14:00-19:00; Tu-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su off
Phone: +33 4 74 53 07 14
La Voie au Chapitre
Bookstore
La Voie au Chapitre — Bookstore, found on 4 Rue Saint-Jérôme in Lyon. Also worth knowing about La Voie au Chapitre: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-13:30,14:30-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
4 Rue Saint-Jérôme, Lyon, 69007
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-13:30,14:30-19:00
Phone: +33 4 37 70 41 62
U Culture
Bookstore
U Culture — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about U Culture: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 08:30-19:30; Su 09:00-12:45.
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-19:30; Su 09:00-12:45
Gibert Joseph
Used bookstore
Gibert Joseph — Used bookstore. Also worth knowing about Gibert Joseph: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-12:30,14:00-18:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-12:30,14:00-18:30
Phone: +33 4 72 77 76 76
Gibert Joseph
Used bookstore
Gibert Joseph — Used bookstore. Also worth knowing about Gibert Joseph: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33472777676
Librairie Decitre Confluence
Bookstore
Librairie Decitre Confluence is Bookstore. Librairie Decitre Confluence also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00
Phone: +33 4 81 76 28 40
Les Sens des Mots
Bookstore
Les Sens des Mots is Bookstore on 54 Grande Rue, Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise. Les Sens des Mots also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Fr 09:00-12:00,14:30-19:00; Th 09:00-12:00; Sa 09:00-12:00,15:00-18:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
54 Grande Rue, Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise, 69590
Hours: Tu-Fr 09:00-12:00,14:30-19:00; Th 09:00-12:00; Sa 09:00-12:00,15:00-18:00
Phone: +33 4 78 44 41 99
Spirale
Bookstore
Spirale — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Spirale: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 09:30-12:15,14:00-19:00.
Hours: Tu-Sa 09:30-12:15,14:00-19:00
Le Livre en Pente
Used bookstore
Le Livre en Pente is Used bookstore. Le Livre en Pente also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 11:00-19:00; Sa, Su 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-19:00; Sa, Su 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 9 50 05 00 35
Librairie Diogène
Used bookstore
Librairie Diogène — Used bookstore. Also worth knowing about Librairie Diogène: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 11:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 11:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 78 42 29 41
Livres & Cie
Bookstore
Livres & Cie is Bookstore. Livres & Cie also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
In cuisine
Bookstore
In cuisine — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about In cuisine: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 11:00-19:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-19:00
Bulles de Saône
Bookstore
Bulles de Saône — Bookstore.
Librairie Vivement Dimanche jeunesse et ados
Bookstore
Librairie Vivement Dimanche jeunesse et ados is Bookstore. Librairie Vivement Dimanche jeunesse et ados also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-13:00,14:00-19:00
La Maison Jaune
BookstoreRun by 2ROCS ET CIE
La Maison Jaune is Bookstore run by 2ROCS ET CIE on 36 Rue de la République, Neuville-sur-Saône. La Maison Jaune also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 09:00-12:30,14:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
36 Rue de la République, Neuville-sur-Saône, 69250
Hours: Tu-Sa 09:00-12:30,14:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 78 91 16 27
BD & Co
Bookstore
BD & Co is Bookstore. BD & Co also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Fr 14:00-19:00;Sa 10:00-12:00,14:00-19:00.
Hours: Tu-Fr 14:00-19:00;Sa 10:00-12:00,14:00-19:00
Librairie Cadence
Bookstore
Librairie Cadence is Bookstore. Librairie Cadence also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Fr 10:30-12:30,14:30-19:00; Sa 10:30-13:00,14:30-19:00; PH closed; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Tu-Fr 10:30-12:30,14:30-19:00; Sa 10:30-13:00,14:30-19:00; PH closed
Phone: +33 4 78 42 48 21
Le café de Chloé
Bookstore
Le café de Chloé — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Le café de Chloé: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 07:30-22:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-22:00
Phone: +33 4 78 24 03 60
Momie Lyon - Mangas
Bookstore
Momie Lyon - Mangas — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Momie Lyon - Mangas: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 78 37 04 92
Comics Zone
Bookstore
Comics Zone — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Comics Zone: the map lists its hours as Tu-Fr 10:00-13:30,14:30-19:00; Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-13:30,14:30-19:00; Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 26 65 78 02
Momie Lyon - BD & Comics
Bookstore
Momie Lyon - BD & Comics — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Momie Lyon - BD & Comics: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 4 78 84 85 62
Librairie de Saint-Priest
Bookstore
Librairie de Saint-Priest — Bookstore, found on Place Charles Ottina in Saint-Priest. Also worth knowing about Librairie de Saint-Priest: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00, 15:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
Place Charles Ottina, Saint-Priest, 69800
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00, 15:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-19:00
Phone: +33 9 88 07 41 94
Decitre Écully
Bookstore
Decitre Écully — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Decitre Écully: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-20:00
Phone: +33 4 72 18 75 40
Decitre Lyon la Part-Dieu
Bookstore
Decitre Lyon la Part-Dieu — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Decitre Lyon la Part-Dieu: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 09:30-20:00; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-20:00
What the map tells us about bookstores in Lyon
137 of the 168 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
96 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
Most of the bookstores in Lyon list a phone number. Useful for checking whether a specific title is in stock before you visit.
10 of the shops are tagged as selling used books — the second-hand shelves are where out-of-print gems and first editions turn up for pocket change.
The Lyon bookstore crawl
Making a day of it in Lyon? Work this order: L'Esprit Livre, Au Vieux Campeur, La Maison de la Presse, Mystère et Boule de Gomme, Cultura, La Librairie du Tramway, Expérience bis, and Librairie Le Bal des Ardents on 17 Rue Neuve. That's the bookstore crawl in one sensible loop, no backtracking. 160 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Lyon
A few things worth knowing before you work through Lyon's bookstores:
- Don't overlook the classics wall at L'Esprit Livre. Every shop has one. Cheap editions of the books everyone claims to have read — your chance to actually read them.
- Bring a tote bag at Au Vieux Campeur. Bookshops and tote bags are a natural pair. You'll need it — nobody leaves with the one book they came for.
- Note the shop's specialties. Sci-fi, travel, art books, philosophy — every good shop leans somewhere. Find the lean that matches yours.
- Learn your editions. A first edition, first printing is the collectible one. Booksellers will show you how to check the copyright page.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Lyon — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new bookstore in Lyon can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 168, or a bookstore we missed entirely? The map is the source of truth here — one OpenStreetMap edit corrects it for everyone.
We don't list prices — they change constantly and vary by edition. What we list is the where: real shops, verified by real mappers, in alphabetical order with no favourites.
If you run one of the 168 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Bookstore listings for Lyon: 168 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.