Bookstore owners in Grenoble, Paris, Toulouse and Nantes said their premises were broken into and stripped of merchandise following the unrest on 17 October.
In each location, shopkeepers described windows smashed, shelves overturned and stock stolen, though precise loss figures have not yet been compiled.
The affected retailers are coordinating a joint effort to document the damage and to plan the reopening of their stores.
Local books‑trade associations have offered support, urging authorities to investigate the incidents and to provide assistance to the harmed businesses.
While the protests were largely political, the spill‑over into the book trade has raised concerns about the safety of cultural venues during public demonstrations.