Paris Booksellers Put the Book‑Bling Back on the Seine
Rachid Bouanou, a former sailor who traded nets for novels, has rolled out a big green wooden crate on the Seine‑side wall and laid out his second‑hand treasure chest for wandering visitors. It’s the sort of deal that makes you feel like you’re strolling into a library‑fairytale.
Why Books on the River Are Totally Worth It
- Historic Vibes: The bouquinistes – the classic riverside book stalls that date back to the 16th century – are back in action. Pathetic after the pandemic, but now the crowds are buzzing again.
- New Faces: 18 fresh sellers have just taken over the 3‑kilometre stretch along the Seine, bringing the total to roughly 230 stalls. Bouanou is among them, rolling out his own flip‑books.
- No Rent, Just Passion: The city council hands out spots for five‑year terms. You pay nothing if you open at least four days a week. Answer: summer sales keep the wheels turning, while winter brings a slow lull – but hey, what’s a few quiet days?
- Tourist 101: Parisian cafés, snuggling in the riverbanks, are the perfect backdrop for anyone looking to dig up a Time magazine issue that was still stuck in your grandma’s attic 60 years ago.
Local Voices, Global Love
Jan and Maria‑Aida Vandemoortele from Bruges, Belgium, were practically giddy when they found a copy of Time Magazine from the year they were born. “The only place in the world where you can run into such a stash of books and newspapers,” Jan chuckled.
Jerome Callais, the boss of the booksellers’ association, told us, “We’ve lost two years to the chaos of the pandemic. Now tourists are back, and fresh stalls are setting up shop.”
The Heartbeat Behind the Bookstalls
At 27, Parisian Kubilai Iksel said, “Seeing new sellers arrive is like watching the city breathe again. It tells me the books aren’t going anywhere – they’re going to stay here, probably ending up in more hands than ever.”
So next time you stroll the Seine, remember: clocks, rivers, and old books live in harmony. If you’re really lucky, you might spot Rachid’s crate, ready for the next literary treasure hunter who loves a good story told from a centuries‑old riverbank.
