Booksellers

Born from the collaboration of Isabelle Bilbao and Guy Néplaz, the KOEGUI bookshop offers a unique selection of rare books: original editions from the 19th and 20th centuries, modern illustrated books, travel books, history books, science books, and a significant collection dedicated to regionalism - Basque Country, Landes, Béarn and the Pyrenees.

Isabelle Bilbao

Her compass points in only one direction: towards the next treasure she can offer her customers. Sincere in her tastes and confident in her choices, Isabelle ensures the continuous enrichment of the bookstore's collection. Perhaps her love for the literature of Maupassant and Zola is linked to her training as a historian? Her pleasure: walking, walking far, very far, then returning to her books.

His favourite book

Guy Neplaz

A great traveler, once a pioneer in marine hovercraft, but above all a former business consultant, Guy spent his entire life developing his passion for books, a passion inherited from his bibliophile father.

An tireless collector of history, travel, and literature books, a former treasurer of the SLAM board, Guy ardently champions the development of bibliophily. It was he who, in 2006, laid the first stone of the KOEGUI adventure, enthusiastically and determinedly trading his headhunter's hat for that of a book hunter.

His favorite book

Hugo Zaorski

The latest arrival. Driven by boundless curiosity, Hugo approaches each search like an investigation, with the rigor of a former lawyer and a touch of poetry. His bookseller's delight? Pamphlets! His first literary love: a story à la Ivanhoe written on Word 95 and bound by his grandfather between two cardboard sheets.

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Two booksellers, one story

  • Bibliophilia is often a matter of transmission, and Librairie KOEGUI is no exception to the tradition. It was his father who introduced Guy Néplaz to old books at a very young age and infected him with this formidable virus — by taking him to auction rooms, places where books change hands, destinies, and ex-libris.

    The origins

    In 2006, the adventure began. Guy bought the Librairie des Pyrénées, which had been established for over thirty years in Grand Bayonne, and spent four years organizing and enriching the initial collection.

    In 2010, Isabelle Bilbao joined the adventure

    A historian by training and a voracious reader with a pronounced taste for late 19th-century French novels, such as (all) those by Jean Échenoz, Isabelle, in turn, succumbed and joined the bookstore. Together, they chose a new identity and adopted the name Librairie KOEGUI.

    Rather than giving in to the trend of operating from home, both chose to create a true place for living and exchanges.

  • Isabelle and Guy entrusted architect Tristan Auer with the task of bringing this dream to life: a space where wood and leather intertwine in a warm and comfortable atmosphere, conducive to strolling and discovery, designed as much for the pleasure of visitors as for the optimal preservation of the works that fill the shelves.

    The KOEGUI bookstore was inaugurated in November 2011 in the presence of Bayonne's mayor, Jean Grenet, and was formally christened by a choir of Basque singers.

    Continuous Development

    Isabelle and Guy continuously enrich their collection through acquisitions from private individuals and at public sales. The direction is set: 19th and 20th-century literature.

    In parallel, they founded Éditions KOEGUI, which publishes beautiful books dedicated to the Basque Country in the Architecture and Heritage collection.

    Members of SLAM (Syndicat de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne), Isabelle and Guy are present every year at the International Rare Book Fair at the Grand Palais in Paris, and have represented the bookstore at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair as well as at many bibliophile fairs such as San Francisco, Boston, London, and Milan.

  • First comes passion

    It all starts with passion. A passion for rare books, literature, first editions, beautiful bindings, and exceptional illustrators. Being a specialized bookseller means knowing how to offer the right book to the right person: listening, understanding, anticipating. This passion drives us to travel across France and participate in auctions to unearth the most beautiful pieces.

  • Instilling a love of books

    We have a mission of transmission: to make ancient books and rare works accessible and appealing to as many people as possible. Understanding what makes a book valuable – a beautiful signed binding, a renowned illustrator, the quality of the paper, the rarity of a print run, the excellence of its condition – is something that can be learned. We are always ready to share these insights with our clients, whether they are novices or experienced collectors.

  • Trust, at the heart of every relationship

    Our approach is based on a lasting relationship of trust with our clients. This trust rests on an uncompromising commitment to quality, supported by our membership in SLAM and LILA (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), which guarantee the authenticity of the works and reliable after-sales service.

  • The everlasting quest for beauty

    Our work is rooted in the continuous pursuit of beauty: beautiful texts, beautiful bindings, beautiful illustrations, beautiful paper. We do everything possible to help our clients find, within their budget, the most beautiful book possible on a subject, era, or author they cherish.

  • Koegui bookstore is a member of SLAM and LILA

    As members of the Syndicat de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM), itself affiliated with the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), we adhere to its strict ethical rules set out in the Conditions of Sale, which guarantee you:

    • the competence and knowledge of booksellers
    • the authenticity of the books and manuscripts described and offered
    • professionalism in all purchasing, selling, and advisory procedures.

    All requests or orders for books addressed to us will result in the sending of photos of the book concerned and confirmation of your decision before any shipment.

    Our books are precisely described, and this description is covered by our guarantee as detailed in the general terms and conditions of sale.

  • Code of Ethics for Antiquarian Booksellers

    Like all SLAM and ILAB members, Koegui bookstore is committed to respecting the code of ethics for antiquarian booksellers. This code of ethics applies, among other things, to all our commercial transactions with individuals, whether for the sale or purchase of books.

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