Paris – Bouquinistes - 4me

Plate XXXVII - The Bouquinistes…

There is no certainty of how long the bouquinistes have been a part of Parisian city life. Some sources say since the nineteenth century, others claim from the sixteenth. It’s not important, for they are there today, and they will still be there tomorrow. There is no English word for these characters found mainly on the Rive Gauche of the Seine. Booksellers (the closest I can think of) work at FNAC or maybe at WH Smith. The bouquiniste is altogether something different. Their wares have changed over time, and today they stock compact and digital video discs (and no doubt electronic video games or, even i-Apps for all I know).

But, it is for the plethora of old postcards, posters, paintings, or pamphlets and of course those books and books and more books that you’ll want to find them. (Be warned though that their wares are mainly in French). No matter the weather, by law the licensed bouquiniste must open for business four days of every week. Those pesky intermitted Paris showers are countered with a clear plastic sheet, but they rarely stay on too long - and often trade will still be conducted beneath these temporary protective shelters. Some 250 or more of these intrepid souls are housed in wooden stalls, dotted all around the embankments of the Île de La Cité, their displays overloaded with “des choses intéressants” and if like me you love to browse the printed records of mankind, you’ll lose yourself for hours seeking out that special “je ne sais quoi”.

Maybe you’ll find it here.

Today.