Rue du Pont Cizeau in Nevers, the Le Cyprès and Gens de la Lune bookstores between them have more than 30,000 books, from comics to novels, practical guides and manga. The assurance of finding what you’re looking for without going through Amazon.
Upon entering the Le Cyprès bookstore on rue du Pont Cizeau in Nevers, the image of the submerged face of the iceberg immediately comes to mind. We quickly realize that the size of the window is inversely proportional to that of the store. If the store seems frozen in time, its shelves are full of new products.
This atypical place, both modern and in its own right, takes the visitor into a succession of rooms, each with their own themes. At the entrance, French and foreign literature, theater, poetry and literary criticism. Further on, under the glass roof, we find practical works on cooking, wine, the garden, nature, fashion, photography, fine arts and even travel.
“We have an important role, especially with young people, so that they enjoy reading”
In the back room, we enter the den of detectives, science fiction and new romance, very trendy for several years. A little more effort and we find ourselves on the floor where the human sciences, sociology, economics, philosophy, personal development, history, geography, parenting, sport, health and education are located. At the very back, a sofa covered with a yellow canvas and an armchair of the same color invite the reader to sit comfortably and take their time to make their choice from this considerable stock of some 20,000 books.
At the Cyprès, you can wander through the covers, consult the reading sheets written by hand on a small yellow card, paper-clipped on the books or ask advice from the booksellers Fanny, Charlotte and Wilfried. As good, passionate booksellers, they understand your tastes and take you into a story.
“We have an important role, especially with young people, so that they enjoy reading. We also give a lot of advice when it comes to finding a book to give as a gift. The book is the second most given gift”recalls Wilfried Séjeau, owner of the bookstore since 2008.
“What I really like here is the kindness of the booksellers, their attentiveness and the quality of their advice. There is a huge choice and when they don’t have a reference, they order it and it arrives very quickly and without shipping costs”testifies Laurence, a regular.
Around ten literary aperitifs per year
Very close to Cypress, Gens de la Lune is aimed at fans of comics, manga and graphic novels with some 10,000 references without forgetting, of course, all children’s literature. “Between Le Cyprès and Gens de la Lune, we cover the whole range of the book”rejoices Wilfried, at the head of this second brand since 2012. “Our readers can also order via our website and, if they wish, collect their books from the store without shipping costs.”
Knowing that you can also travel to attend literary aperitifs, around ten per year. “The main thing is not to be intimidated. This commits absolutely nothing. These are opportunities to discover and exchange”. We haven’t found a better way to get up to date.
Isabelle Dany.
Practical information: Le Cyprès, 17, rue du Pont Cizeau, Nevers. Open Monday to Saturday. Such. : 03 86 57 53 36 / Gens de la Lune, 7, rue du Pont Cizeau, Nevers. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Such. : 03 86 61 30 77. More information on librairie-lecypres-gensdelalune.fr
