Looking for a good book or two for the plane, or a rare edition of a favorite novel or nonfiction? Paris boasts more than 200 independent outdoor booksellers, or » bouquinistes «, offering some 300,000 new and used collectable books and magazines under open skies. Its iconic green metal painted exteriors have been depicted in numerous famous Paris paintings, especially from the Impressionist period. When you feel like taking a simple stroll and browsing, or hoping to find some attractive old volumes, a visit to the bouquinistes should be part of any book lover’s trip to the capital.
Some history
The tradition dates back to the 16th century, when the Renaissance ushered in an era of unprecedented literacy, and “vagrant” booksellers eventually established permanent places of business along and near the River Seine. As demand for books grew among a population that was increasingly able to read, the tradition flourished and, as is often the case in Paris, stalled.
While the city’s outdoor booksellers face ongoing threats from the advent of chain bookstores, they remain one of the city’s most treasured legacies. A spring or summer stroll through the bouquinistes stalls is a real treat, especially for those interested in finding collectible and rare titles. After browsing a few times, I found that the prices are also reasonable, even for the original editions of classic works of literature or non-fiction. So if you’re hoping to find a one-of-a-kind gift for your favorite bookworm, or a beautiful old edition to crown your collection, you won’t necessarily have to pay a premium dollar.
Similarly, it’s easy enough to find old magazines that could make great collectibles – an issue of Paris Match from 1963 and with Jean-Paul Belmondo on the cover, for example, could win the hearts of anyone who loves French souvenirs and ancient objects. articles.
What can’t you find in these traditional stalls?
The only real downside to buying books from these charming traditional sellers? The vast majority of titles sold in the stands are available only in French, limiting the options for those who are not fluent in the Gallic language. Still, casual browsing can be a pleasure in its own right, and a special tome on photography, visual culture, cinema, or an illustrated history in French may be worth having, even if you don’t understand every word.
Places and opening hours
Most booksellers are open every day from 11:30 am until dusk, and close during French bank holidays and in case of heavy rain or storms. They can be found on the right and left banks ( rive gauche and rive droite ) of the Seine.
- Locations on the Right Bank – You’ll find the stalls clustered along the Seine from Pont Marie (Metro Pont Marie) and the Louvre Museum (Metro Palais du Louvre).
- Locations on the Left Bank: Vendors are mainly located on the banks of the Seine from Quai de la Tournelle (Metro Maubert-Mutualité) to Quai Voltaire (Metro Saint-Germain-des-Prés)
