Bokbar is the only Nordic bookshop and café in Paris. Located in the vibrant and colorful neighborhood of Belleville, we specialize in classic and contemporary literature from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland. With our carefully chosen selection of books, monthly literary events, liters of coffee and home made Swedish pastries, we’re quickly becoming the number one community space for both avid readers and curious beginners of Nordic literature.
OUR TEAM
NATALIE MAGNUSSON
Founder
Natalie is the founder and creative force behind Bokbar. She is also a big Liverpool fan and former aspiring, and slightly confused, musician. Born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden, she moved to Paris almost two decades ago. Her interest for languages and literature runs deep which led her to a double bachelor’s degree in French and Swedish linguistics. She opened Bokbar in 2022 in the hope of combining all the things she loves – literature, pastries and wine.
3 major reading experiences: Maken by Gun-Britt Sundström, The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov & We, the drowned by Carsten Jensen
3 artists she will for sure play at Bokbar: The Guru, Fleetwood Mac & Dolly Parton
3 must-visit places in the North: Korvkiosk in Majorna, Gothenburg, the Swedish west coast by boat &
any random bodega in Copenhagen where you can find cheap Tuborg
3 dishes she can't get tired of: Boeuf bourguignon, Swedish seafood & korv med bröd (hot dogs)
REBECCA HEMMINGSSON
Events , Communications & PR
Rebecca handles communications, events and PR at Bokbar. She is also the captain of a Parisian futsal team and a self-doubting writer. As a kid, she preferred reading over hanging out with her peers in her hometown of Jönköping. She tried to become a lawyer for a year or two but went on to get a bachelor's in French linguistics and literature instead. Now she moderates all our book talks, manages our Instagram, and is the best among us at latte art.
3 major reading experiences: My Struggle series by Knausgård, Maken by Gun-Britt Sundström & probably the one she is reading right now: Anna Karenina by Lev Tolstoj
3 artists she will for sure play at Bokbar: Patti Smith, Mac Miller & Bruce (because it’s Bruce)
3 must-visit places in the North: Alcamo in Jönköping (the kebab sauce is a must-have), any random hidden lake in Småland during nights in June & the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
3 dishes she can't get tired of: Pasta with tomato sauce, falukorv (a special Swedish sausage) & eggs
ISABEL GAILLARD
Visual Communications
Isabel is our art director and a true artist, handling all of our visual communications. She is also half Swiss and half Swedish, knows how to play mungiga (mouth harp) and had a very short career in street dancing. Her background covers everything from graphic design and illustration to art history and cultural mediation. Isabel and Natalie met at an event at the Swedish Institute in Paris and quickly bonded over Nordic literature. Natalie describes it as a match made in heaven. Since then, Isabel has been part of the Bokbar crew.
3 major reading experiences: Petersburg Tales by Nicolaj Gogol, The Emperor of Portugallia by Selma Lagerlöf & The Dangerous Journey by Tove Jansson
3 artists she will for sure play at Bokbar: Dr Alban, Amazon & Nikki and the Dove
3 must-visit places in the North: Öland (the entire island), Djurgården in Stockholm & Kullaberg in Skåne
3 dishes she can't get tired of: Kroppkakor med svamp (Swedish dumplings with mushroom), Raclette & Rösti