Although well equipped with bookstores, the city of Orléans (Loiret) welcomed a new establishment in 2020: the Bibliovore.
This second-hand business, which buys general books from individuals (novels, detectives, children's books, science fiction, fantasy, school textbooks) at 1 euro per kilo to resell them at a single rate of 3 euros per book and 10 euros les quatre, was founded a few years ago in Tours (Indre-et-Loire) before expanding its network, constituting a network in other cities in the Center-Val de Loire region (Orléans, Blois).
In Orléans, the model was immediately acclaimed by readers.
Virginie Chantraine, the manager, has even just found new premises, more spacious and more suited to her needs, about a hundred meters from the old store, located on rue d'Avignon.
“We had been cramped for a while now.
There was really an acceleration in 2023. We sometimes found ourselves on Saturdays with people who turned around when there were too many people,” she describes.
“It belies the image of the Frenchman who doesn’t read”
Finding space for the 300 kg of books she receives each week was a challenge.
“When the bookstore opened, we announced that we had 6,000 references.
But we very quickly rose to 10,000 with shelves climbing up to the ceiling, not necessarily accessible.”
Despite the competition from the second-hand booksellers' market, which has set up every Friday for several decades on the Place du Martroi, Virginie Chantraine is calm.
“We certainly sell second-hand books, but with us, everything is arranged in alphabetical order or by theme like in any bookstore.
There are even people who thought when they first came that the books were new.”
This new, more exposed location made it possible to attract a clientele “who did not know the concept”.
In his eyes, this success, which undermines “the image of the French person who does not read”, can be explained by the economic difficulties of the population in making ends meet.
“Leisure budgets are increasingly eroded under the pressure of rising energy and food prices.
We also have many students and families with children who have little means.
» Some of its loyal customers are also there “for ecological and ethical reasons”.
In 2021, Ophélie Got joined Virginie Chantraine, which allows Bibliovore to open continuously six days a week.