If you’re new to the capital of Alsace, France or just visiting for a weekend, you might miss a great secondhand bookstore in Strasbourg. While all readers appreciate a book-filled space infused with the scent of pages turned many a time, sci-fi and fantasy readers will particularly enjoy this hidden gem in Strasbourg.
This astounding collection (over 5,000 titles!) can be found in the quiet Contades neighborhood.
Located a short, pleasant stroll from the “B” tram stop Lycee Kleber, Galaxy-Bis opened its doors to visitors in October 2012. It is one of those random hole-in-the-walls that are so easy to miss in this looking-down-at-our-phones world.
Naturally, because this is a funky secondhand bookstore in Strasbourg run by an elderly Frenchman who somehow epitomizes exactly what you’d expect from the marriage of two of life’s most striking stereotypes (the Frenchman and the secondhand sci-fi fantasy shop keeper), when I first happened upon it, Galaxy-Bis was technically open, but looked closed.
I poked my head tentatively into the darkened shop and called “Bonjour” softly, not wanting to startle the man with his back to me. His friendliness immediately eased my concern that I was imposing on him, and our brief conversation yielded valuable information: the shop resells both French and English books in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He also enthusiastically explained his organizational system (a man after my own heart) indicating that the French titles were sorted along the walls. When I inquired about English titles, he nodded vigorously, indicating the massive drawers beneath the boxes of books that didn’t fit on the shelves. Ah.
Personally, sci-fi has never really done anything for me and I haven’t read a fantasy book since Eragon was a thing, but my partner devours the stuff and had a birthday coming up at the time. I thanked the man, wished him a “bon aprem” and promised I’d be back.
A few days later on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I returned to this funky secondhand bookstore in Strasbourg with my sci-fi/fantasy aficionado in tow.
We departed from République via tram, but honestly, it was such a nice afternoon that I wished we’d walked. From République, you’d be setting yourself up for about an hour and a half stroll if you continue past the bookstore and circle back.
Upon our arrival, the shop was unmistakably open. A little fold-out table had been set up out front, occupied by an elderly man and woman. Another, more middle-aged man leaned against a slim magnolia tree nearby, holding his dog’s leather leash in one hand and gesturing with the other, cigarette smoke wafting across the sidewalk to mingle with that of his comrades’. Awkwardly permeating this little bubble, we greeted the group and asked if we could go in.
The shopkeeper, who I later learned was named Laurent, enthusiastically waved us in and then followed to explain the layout of the shop.
French titles were everywhere the eye could see, and English titles were tucked away inside three sets of massive three-drawer sets, each one extending nearly a meter upon opening and filled with books.
Thibault, who I’m convinced has read and/or listened to nearly every sci-fi or fantasy book in existence, made appreciative noises while perusing the extensive collection. For my part, I was just curious if he’d find something that a) he hadn’t already read and b) he’d like.
Eventually, he settled on a series that he described as one of the genre’s foundational. I suspect it might also have had something to do with the fact that the old book smell of multiple yellowed pages bound together was also a bit heady. Somewhat to my surprise, I also found a book that caught my attention before we departed.
It’s currently sitting on my shelf of “to-read” and I’m hoping to be able to use it to pass the time on long bus or train rides this summer when (if) travel in Europe opens back up.
Want to read more about what this great little city has to offer? Check out Life in Strasbourg Archives – The Millennial Abroad
Galaxy-Bis Strasbourg
Official name: Galaxy-Bis
Address: 9 Rue Lauth, 67000 Strasbourg
Operating hours: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. As with anything small and local, it’s best to arrive well in between the listed operating hours in case they’ve decided to open or close early.
Website: (1) Galaxy bis | Facebook
Want to practice your French? Read about the opening of Galaxy-Bis in 2012 in this Rue89 Strasbourg article!
