In one of Paris's most picturesque and historic settings—on the Quai de Montebello, right at the foot of the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral—an unusual barge named Nanna has dropped anchor. The project's creators, who will be operating in the heart of the French capital for the next ten years, have already dubbed it "the largest book box in Paris." It is more than just a floating bookstore; it is a unique cultural space where literature harmoniously blends with music and the rhythm of urban life.
Books you don’t have to return
The primary feature of Nanna is its self-service format and absolute freedom for readers. Onboard, the barge houses an impressive collection of over 5,000 books. They are carefully organized by theme, including French classics, world literature, poetry, and drama. A particular curatorial focus is placed on works by female authors.
The rules for using the "library" are incredibly simple and democratic: visitors are free to take any book that catches their eye without any obligation to return it. Furthermore, guests are welcome to bring their own volumes to share and contribute to the collective library.
The project's literary curator, Hugo Buton, emphasizes the simplicity of the concept: "People come here to take books, and that's it—they don't need to bring them back. They can also bring their own books."
From daytime reading to evening DJ sets
As night falls, the barge transforms from a quiet haven for book lovers into a vibrant space for socializing and relaxation. In the evenings, the venue hosts DJ sets, a bar service, literary speed-dating events, and meetings with contemporary authors.
Project co-founder Nicolas Laugero Lasserre explains why the water was chosen for such a location: "The Seine has always been a powerful source of inspiration for artists and poets. Therefore, it was only natural to place this literary barge on the water." According to him, Nanna’s atmosphere allows visitors to unwind, have a drink, browse through books, and fully indulge their passion for literature.
A breath of hope amidst the bookselling crisis
The opening of Nanna comes at a challenging time for the French book market. According to the National Book Center (Centre national du Livre), 2025 has been a turning point and a cause for concern: for the first time in many years, more bookstores closed in France than opened (85 closures versus 83 new locations).
Against this backdrop, the barge creators' initiative is seen as a fresh wind of change. Visual artist Aurore Chevalier, who visited Nanna during its first week, shared her impressions: "This gives me hope, as such a format could encourage more people to turn toward books and literature."
The Nanna floating space offers Parisians and tourists a new perspective on how to integrate reading into daily life. The combination of views of the restored Notre-Dame, free access to thousands of volumes, and live music in the evenings makes this barge one of Paris's most alluring new cultural destinations.
