The back issue market in France in 2025 is both more accessible and more competitive than it has ever been. On one hand, the explosion of online platforms has opened access to millions of issues from the comfort of your couch.
The back issue market in France in 2025 is both more accessible and more competitive than it has ever been. On one hand, the explosion of online platforms has opened access to millions of issues from the comfort of your couch. On the other, the growing popularity of comics -- driven by Marvel and DC movie adaptations -- has pushed key issue prices to unprecedented levels, even in the French market.
Finding the back issues you're looking for at a reasonable price requires knowing all the available channels and understanding which one to use depending on the situation. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the options available to French-speaking collectors in 2025.
Specialized comic book shops in France
The physical comic book shop remains the most rewarding channel for collectors. You can touch, examine, negotiate -- and sometimes discover an issue you didn't know you were looking for.
Paris
The capital is home to the best French addresses:
- Album (8, rue Dante, 5th arr.) : one of the oldest comic book shops in Paris, with a serious back issue stock organized by series. Excellent for comics from the 70s-90s.
- Comic's Place (2, rue Saint-Denis, 1st arr.) : well-organized longboxes of back issues, generally fair prices, good selection of common and semi-rare issues.
- Librairie du Genie (31, rue du Dragon, 6th arr.) : more focused on Franco-Belgian comics and French-edition comics, but with an interesting original-language section for current titles.
- Forbidden Planet (primarily an online shop, but with occasional convention presence) : good stock of recent comics, less stocked in older back issues.
Outside Paris
Major French cities also have their dedicated shops:
- Lyon: Pulp Fiction Comics (Guillotiere), Planete BD for French-edition comics.
- Bordeaux: Le Dernier Bar avant la Fin du Monde has a comics section, and there are specialized shops in the Chartrons neighborhood.
- Marseille: Comic Zone Comics & Games, a well-stocked shop for back issues.
- Toulouse, Nantes, Strasbourg, Rennes: every major city has at least one specialized comic book shop. Do a local search before traveling to visit.
Tip: Call the shop before making the trip to make sure they have back issue stock for the series you're looking for. Some shops primarily focus on current comics and have very few older back issues on their shelves.
Comic conventions in France
Conventions are the favorite hunting grounds for serious collectors. The density of vendors, the ability to negotiate, and the unique atmosphere make them must-attend events.
Major conventions
- Paris Comic Con (November, Parc des Expositions de Villepinte) : the largest pop culture convention in France, with a significant comics area and many back issue vendors. Essential for Parisian collectors.
- Comic Con Bordeaux (spring, Palais des Congres) : a well-established convention with a dedicated comics and back issues area.
- Japan Expo (July, Villepinte) : primarily focused on Japanese culture, but also attracts American comics vendors. Good deals are possible since competition is less intense than at a 100% comics convention.
- Festival International de la Bande Dessinee d'Angouleme (January) : historically focused on Franco-Belgian comics, but the presence of American comics has grown in recent years. A few specialized original-language vendors participate regularly.
Local and regional conventions
Don't underestimate local conventions. They often attract private sellers liquidating their collections at prices well below market rates. A regional Japan Expo or a tabletop gaming convention can hold great surprises in its comics section.
eBay France and international
eBay is essential for back issues, whether you're buying on eBay.fr or eBay.com. The platform provides access to millions of issues worldwide.
eBay France vs eBay.com
eBay.fr mainly features French and European sellers. Prices are in euros, with no customs fees. eBay.com (USA) provides access to a much larger and often cheaper stock for common back issues, but transatlantic shipping costs are added (generally $15 to $30 depending on weight) and customs fees may apply above $150 in declared value.
Tips for buying on eBay
- Always filter by Sold listings to know the real market price before bidding.
- Check photos carefully: ask for additional photos if the condition doesn't seem clearly documented.
- Favor sellers with a satisfaction score above 99% and several hundred reviews.
- Bundle your purchases from the same seller to share shipping costs.
Specialized websites
Beyond eBay, several specialized platforms deserve your attention.
For buying back issues
- MyComics.com: a comics-specialized marketplace with a good selection of professional sellers carrying large inventories.
- Hipcomic: a comics-focused alternative to eBay, often with very professional sellers and reliable condition grading.
- PriceCharting: useful for checking an issue's value before buying, with accessible price histories.
For reference and identification
- Bedetheque: the reference database for comics in France, useful for identifying French editions of American comics.
- Grand Comics Database (comics.org): the worldwide reference for identifying original-language issues, free and very comprehensive.
French-speaking Facebook and Discord groups
The French-speaking comics community is active on social media and constitutes a buyer/seller circuit between private individuals that is often very interesting.
Several Facebook groups dedicated to buying/selling comics in France have thousands of members. Transactions between private individuals often allow you to avoid dealer markups. Points to watch: check the seller's profile, favor secure payment (PayPal Goods & Services), and be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.
Discord
French-speaking Discord servers for comics exist with dedicated buy/sell channels. These communities often have codes of conduct and a reputation to maintain, which limits scams. Look for invitations through Facebook groups or collector forums.
Securing a private purchase
- Always use PayPal "Goods and Services" (not "Friends and Family") for buyer protection
- Ask for precise condition photos (spine, corners, interior pages)
- Check the Facebook profile/user history
- Be wary of prices far below market without explanation
- For valuable comics ($100+), prefer an in-person exchange at a convention
Auction houses: Drouot and Catawiki
For high-value comics -- American Golden Age, Silver Age in excellent condition, rare CGC copies -- auction houses can be an option.
Drouot (Paris) occasionally organizes sales that include collectible comics and graphic novels. Lots often come from private collections and can feature pieces unavailable on the usual secondary market. Prices reach very high levels for rare pieces.
Catawiki is an online auction platform specializing in collectibles. It regularly features comic book lots, with moderation that ensures a certain level of listing quality. Prices often remain lower than Drouot for semi-rare pieces.
Importing directly from the USA
For collectors looking for issues that are hard to find in France or who want to optimize their budget, direct import from the United States is a serious option.
Main US sources
- MyComicShop.com (formerly Lone Star Comics) : one of the largest back issue inventories in the world, with millions of issues listed. Reliable condition grading, quality packaging.
- Mile High Comics (Denver, Colorado) : legendary stock, often with significant promotions (-40% to -50%) on common back issues. Shipping costs need to be calculated.
- Midtown Comics (New York) : good stock of recent back issues and key issues, physical store in Manhattan with international shipping service.
Customs duties and VAT
Since 2021, online purchases from outside the EU are subject to French VAT from the first euro. For packages with a declared value under 150 euros, only VAT applies (20% on comics). Above 150 euros, customs duties are added. In practice, for grouped orders of common back issues, the total cost often remains lower than French prices once everything is calculated.
Import tip: Always bundle your US orders to optimize the shipping cost to order value ratio. An order of 30 issues at $150 with $25 in shipping comes to an 11.5% surcharge -- reasonable if US prices are 30% cheaper than in France for the same issues.
Frequently asked questions -- Buying comics in France
Prepare your want list before every purchase
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