Furet du Nord

Tucked away in the heart of Lille’s bustling Grand Place sits the legendary Furet du Nord. What began as a humble furrier’s shop in 1921 transformed into a literary haven. Furet du Nord wasn’t always about books. Originally located on rue de la Vieille-Comédie, the shop, owned by the Morels, specialized in furs. The name, “Furet du Nord” (Ferret of the North), came from the practice of using ferrets to hunt rabbits for their valuable pelts. In 1936, Georges Poulard, a high school principal, bought the shop and converted it into a bookstore. He kept the unusual name, perhaps finding a connection between “ferreting” for books and hunting rabbits. Paul Callens, a passionate book lover, joined the Furet du Nord team in 1948. He saw the potential of the bookstore in a time of the book crisis in France when paper prices soared. Just two years later, in 1950, Paul and his wife, Line Ciamporcero, took a leap of faith and purchased the struggling shop. With borrowed funds and a vision, they transformed it into a thriving literary hub. Recognizing the growing popularity of television, Paul Callens devised an ingenious strategy. He personally retrieved newly released books from Parisian publishers, ensuring they were available at Furet du Nord the very next day after being featured on popular literary programs. This bold move solidified Furet du Nord’s reputation as a go-to destination for literary enthusiasts. A major turning point arrived in 1959. Callens seized a unique opportunity and moved Furet du Nord to its current location on the Grand Place, replacing the failing Galeries Barbès furniture store. This expansion made it the largest bookstore in the region. Callens was a pioneer of bookselling innovation. He introduced self-service browsing, created cozy reading nooks, and hosted the first author signings, forging direct connections between writers and readers. He even converted the basement into a “Furet de Poche,” the largest paperback bookstore in France. In 1968, further expansion came with the acquisition of the neighboring hardware store, “La Cave.” Counterintuitively, Callens restored La Cave’s facade to its 18th-century glory, based on an engraving of François Watteau’s “La Procession de Lille en 1789.” This added to the Grand Place’s historical charm. Furet du Nord continued its remarkable growth, eventually becoming the world’s largest bookstore in 1990. Today, it remains the largest bookstore in Europe and a testament to the vision of Paul Callens. Inside, discover the modern Furet du Nord with its digital enhancements and street art, all while enjoying the same spirit of literary discovery that Paul Callens cultivated.