Paris Just Unveiled a Floating Bookshop Under Notre-Dame with DJ Sets
Poinews.com – Paris has welcomed a novel concept with the launch of a bookshop on a floating barge, anchored near the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral. The founders have dubbed it “the largest literary barge in the city.” The barge, named Nanna, is situated on the Quai de Montebello and will remain there for the next decade.
The space offers a self-service library of over 5,000 titles, curated by category. It highlights works by female writers and includes French classics, global literature, poetry, and drama. Patrons can select any book they wish, with no requirement to return it. This flexible approach aligns with the barge’s mission to foster spontaneous engagement with reading.
Artistic Inspiration and Community Hub
“The Seine has always been a great source of inspiration for artists and poets. That is why it made perfect sense to place this literary barge on the water,” said Nicolas Laugero Lasserre, co-founder of the project.
Evening hours bring a different vibe, as the barge becomes a social hub featuring DJ performances, literary speed dating, author meet-and-greets, and a bar. Lasserre emphasized, “Here, you can enjoy a drink, browse the books, and indulge your passion for literature.”
Hugo Buton, the barge’s literary curator, noted, “People come here to borrow books, and that’s it – they do not have to bring them back. They can also drop off books of their own.” Aurore Chevalier, a visual artist who visited during the opening week, shared, “It gives me hope, in the sense that it can encourage more people to engage with books and literature.”
This initiative arrives amid challenges for the French bookselling sector. The Centre national du Livre reported that 2025 saw more closures than new openings, with 85 bookshops shutting down compared to 83 new ones. The floating bookshop aims to revitalize public interest in reading through its unique blend of accessibility and cultural atmosphere.
