In a context where the plurality of information and democratic debate are more important than ever, Culture Presse brought together over a hundred elected officials – all newsagents – from across the country in Paris from March 31st to April 2nd for its 53rd Congress.
Culture Presse is the representative professional organization of newsagents in France. It defends their interests, supports the network’s evolution, and works to ensure access to diverse information throughout the country.
This annual gathering marked a key moment for the profession and brought together nearly 400 stakeholders including regulators, distributors, publishers, and institutional and commercial partners for a cocktail reception. The highlight of the Congress was listening to the address by Jean-Michel Detchart, President of the organization and a newsagent in the Basque Country.
Through this event, Culture Presse reaffirmed its central role: defending France’s first cultural network and guaranteeing access to free, diverse, and verified information for all.
A Democratic Pillar in Transition, Supported by a Resilient Network
Behind each point of sale is a grassroots actor who sustains the press on a daily basis. Today, newsagents represent the primary cultural commerce network, ensuring access to diverse information across the country. The elected officials – themselves newsagents – delivered a clear message during the Congress: without a solid distribution network, there is no press plurality, and without plurality, there is no vibrant democracy.
19,000 Points of Sale
This mobilization arises amidst a changing network landscape, necessitating collective attention and appropriate responses. By the end of 2025, there were 19,072 points of sale (a 3.2% decrease in one year), with 1,478 kilometers of newsstand space (a 4.7% decrease). These changes reflect industry transformations but underscore the network’s resilience and adaptability, driven by committed professionals. The challenge now is to support these changes and reinforce a modern, attractive, and essential network for access to free and diverse information.
A Complete Industry: A Strong Signal for the Future of the Press
Regulators, distribution operators, depositaries, publishers, and economic partners all participated. Major partners like the Francaise des Jeux, PMU, and Panini were also present. This rare mobilization reflects the reality that newsagents are integral to the entire press value chain.
The Congress featured remarkable moments that highlighted current industry challenges. Natacha Polony’s presentation of the launch of the magazine L’Audace! was a standout. The success of the first issue and the announced prospects illustrate a shared belief: print media still has a future, provided there is innovation and support from an engaged distribution network.
A Political and Economic Lever for Structuring the Industry
Aside from discussions, the Culture Presse Congress serves as an influential hub for industry structuring. Discussions focused on the need to revalue newsagents’ remuneration, a crucial factor for the network’s economic balance. In a changing environment, Culture Presse advocates for a clear line: defending a viable economic model for newsagents, essential for maintaining a dense, accessible network that preserves information plurality.
Decisive and Iconic Moment for the Network
The Congress cocktail, attended by nearly 400 participants, was the highlight of the event, demonstrating Culture Presse’s ability to bring the entire press industry together around common issues. Following Jean-Michel Detchart’s address, the Culture Presse Readers’ Prize was awarded in partnership with Hachette Livre and Le Livre de Poche to Bénérice Pichat for her work La Petite Bonne. This prize recognizes a title highly favored by readers in newsstands, embodying the direct link between readers, works, and newsagents as cultural influencers in the community.
