Investment aid for French bookshops (CNL): who can benefit and how to prepare your application
This page sets out the scheme’s purpose, the operations listed and the points to watch before applying. Purpose: support the creation, extension, relocation, takeover and transfer, as well as the long-term future, of bookshops located in France. Next application dates: 15 January 2027; 15 March 2027; 15 May 2027; 31 July 2027 (the 31 October 2026 date has passed). The conditions, scale and timetable must be confirmed with the funder before committing costs.
The “Investment aid for French bookshops” supports the creation, extension, relocation, takeover and transfer, as well as the long-term future, of bookshops located in France. Next application dates: 15 January 2027; 15 March 2027; 15 May 2027; 31 July 2027 (the 31 October 2026 date has passed). Before building your financing plan, check your company’s eligibility, the type of costs accepted and the application rules. The amounts below come from the catalogue and must be compared with the rules currently applicable.
Funded by Centre National du Livre (CNL)
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Who can apply
Booksellers.
Eligibility conditions
The detailed conditions are not complete in the catalogue. Check the rules in force, exclusions and combination rules with the funder.
What the scheme covers
Building up or developing a stock of new books; works (including studies and fees), particularly those aimed at energy efficiency; purchase of furniture, equipment and tools linked to the bookshop’s activity; acquisition of a leasehold right, a business, or shares in bookshop operating companies (including transfer duties).
Amount and funding terms
A grant of between €4,000 and €100,000; or a loan of between €8,000 and €300,000.
How to apply
Apply online on the Centre national du livre’s portal: https://www.cnl-demandesdaides.fr/appli/
Timeline
The timetable depends on the Centre national du livre’s committees. Next application dates: 15 January 2027; 15 March 2027; 15 May 2027; 31 July 2027 (the 31 October 2026 date has passed). Check the deadlines in force and contact the CNL’s bookshop department in advance; do not start the project before it has been examined by the committee.
Key facts
- Funder
- Centre National du Livre (CNL)
- Type of funding
- Grant
- Status
- Open
- Maximum amount
- €100,000
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Minimum amount
- €4,000
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Closes
- 31 July 2027
- Geographic scope
- All of France
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the economic aid for French bookshops?
Admissibility depends on the bookshop’s profile and the Centre national du livre’s criteria. The criteria to apply are those of the official rules in force; a preliminary discussion with the CNL is recommended. Beneficiaries mentioned in the catalogue: booksellers.
Which investments can be presented to the CNL?
The project must match the costs accepted by the rules of the economic aid for bookshops. Catalogue elements to examine: Building up or developing a stock of new books; works (including studies and fees), particularly those aimed at energy efficiency; purchase of furniture, equipment and tools linked to the bookshop’s activity; acquisition of a leasehold right, a business, or shares in bookshop operating companies (including transfer duties). Have the eligible basis confirmed by the CNL before finalising the financing plan.
Does the aid take the form of a grant or a loan?
The catalogue indicates: a grant of between €4,000 and €100,000; or a loan of between €8,000 and €300,000. The CNL distinguishes between grant and loan arrangements; the applicable amounts and conditions must be checked in the current rules.
Should the investments start before applying?
No: the CNL’s practical guidance requires that the project not be started before it has been examined by the committee. Contact the bookshop department well in advance and check the committee timetable.
Official source
No official URL is available in our data for this grant.
Other grants of type “grant”
Other grants from Centre National du Livre (CNL)
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Support and acceleration
Diagnostics and audits
Takeover and transfer
Discover the funding that fits your company
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