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Dijon, romantasy bookstore defies wave:
In recent years, the book sector has seen its curtains fall one after the other. However, The closures, identified on Newsdraw a disturbing card for lovers of independent bookstores. Therefore, And yet. Moreover, in the shadow of this trend, a prosperous literary niche: the opening of bookstores dedicated to romance, fantasy and, between the two, this new hybrid genre from social networks, Romantasy.
In Dijon, the dreamy Dryads embodies this amazing opposite. Nevertheless, Here, dragons, intrepid heroines, upset loves and imaginary worlds align with 80 m2. Meanwhile, Since July 15, 2025, this space has attracted many readers to the capital of Burgundy. For example, A project led by two women who have chosen to settle there.
“The demand is very real” – Dijon, romantasy bookstore defies wave
Émilie Bardeau, 42 years soon, has known several professional lives. For example, Twenty years in catering, three others in logistics for dijon, romantasy bookstore defies wave an Amazon subcontractor. Therefore, “” In this last post, there was no human contact, and I missed it“, She tells News . Nevertheless, During confinement, like many, she plunges back into reading, with a weak assumed for paranormal romances.
In 2023. However, carried by a desire for professional retraining, she began training with Book Conseil, followed by an internship in a Manga and BD bookstore. Similarly, It is there that she meets Annabelle Monin. In addition, graduated from a master’s degree in book and already three years of experienced experience, and that the project is materialized. Nevertheless,
« At that time. there were still very few bookstores of the genre. From memory, there was only the dream counter in ToulouseRemember Emilie. “”Today, a real network is dijon, romantasy bookstore defies wave starting to emerge. The demand is very real“. She observes, citing the example of between 2 chapters, bookstore dedicated to romance and fantasy in Chalon-sur-Saône, about forty minutes away.
A project refocused on the essentials: books – Dijon, romantasy bookstore defies wave
At the start. the dreamy dryads-whose name evokes the protective nymphs of the forests-was to be a coffee bookstore. But the idea comes up against reality. The management of a bar. the creation of revenues, the equipment, and the hiring of the staff are as much additional work difficult to ensure for two. Émilie Bardeau prefers to focus on the bookstore, especially since she has just had a decisive crush on her premises.
Today, some 5,000 titles are offered. The rays are filled with contemporary romances. fantasy, romantasy, collector’s editions darling by readers of the genre, and a large radius in English, the fruit of the shared passion of the two booksellers for dijon, romantasy bookstore defies wave reading in VO.
Tiktok invites himself into the adventure
Open on the eve of Emilie’s maternity leave. the founder “did not want to choose between his professional and staff future». Helped and supported by Annabelle Monin, who keeps the trade in the meantime, she finds a compromise. “”Annabelle embarked on the adventure knowing that I was waiting for a baby. We found common ground: she manages the bookstore, and I try to spend twice a week. The rest of the time, I take care of management and invoices from my home».
The two booksellers benefited from an unexpected boost: the visit of Eliseebooks, a Dijon booktofer. “”Its filmed passage attracted new customers who found the address on its Tiktok accountShe says.
In addition to visibility. the dijon, romantasy bookstore defies wave two women used this opportunity to weave a strong local cultural link: “Eliseebooks is organizing a reading club which now comes to buy the book of the month from us. Another reading club followed. And a person would like to organize writing workshops with us. »
Projects full of shelves
The founders want to animate the bookstore. They plan to create their own reading club in February, and have already asked to organize dedications. Mobile furniture can accommodate these events, including for people with reduced mobility. “”We want it to be a space where we feel good, not just a point of sale», Underlines the founder.
To read-Coffee, romance and dragons in the first bookstore-cafe-bar in Montreal
One thing is certain, the new projects will be announced on the Instagram of the place, already well fueled by the booksellers. For Tiktok, you will have to wait a little dijon, romantasy bookstore defies wave bit. “”We are not very trendy video, but it may come over timeShe smiles, confident.
Image credits: © Émilie Bardeau
Boulland Loulla
Contact : [email protected]
Further reading: Originally from Saint-Brieuc-des-Iffs, Amandine Piquard publishes her first novel – In Gaillac, a bookstore reinvents the book – The 5 finalists in the running it’s to choose! – Rombas. Creative workshops around children’s book with the illustrator Léonie Koelsch – The thousandth pine – Florie Darcieux.
