The book stalls on the Seine in Paris are a magnet for tourists. However, the corona crisis slowed the rush and too many souvenirs in the shop windows destroy the original flair.
They are an attraction for Paris tourists and lovers of old books: the «bouquinistes» with their stalls along the Seine in the heart of the French capital.
The rummage of literature lovers and guests from all over the world in the green book boxes on the quays, however, has been dampened. The corona crisis slowed the rush and the sale of cheap souvenirs and posters instead of the classics of French literature is destroying the original flair. Stalls are empty, the city has launched an invitation to tender and the population has called on the people to support the «bouquinistes», and even a petition has been launched.
The book stands are a world heritage site
“Save the booksellers, this is a challenge for civilization!” Is the title of the petition, which is already supported by thousands online. They have stood on the Seine for almost five centuries and have also been recognized as a World Heritage Site since 2019, but they are threatened with quiet death. «So, book lovers from Paris and elsewhere (…), stroll along the Seine (…) and pause for a moment at the green boxes and let yourself be seduced by the warm call of the thousands of books they contain», is the poetic appeal to support the dealers.
The “Bouquinistes” had already carried out a small revolution themselves in the middle of the Corona crisis and set up an Internet platform for ordering books when stalls and residents were in lockdown. “The” bouquinistes “need you!”, The city administration advertised the new service on its website.
Now 18 vacant stands out of a total of 220 have been advertised, and applications will be accepted until February 18. There are clear requirements for retailers as to what is allowed in their four boxes. Essentially, these are old books, old papers and engravings; souvenirs may also be offered in a box, provided they are of an artistic or cultural nature.
200,000 books on offer
“Too many Chinese souvenirs are sold, you have to sell books and not Eiffel Towers,” complains an elderly trader. “People who love books come out on the quays,” she says. Her customers included foreign literature lovers looking for books that they could not find at home.
There are also students among them who have a list of works that are worth reading from their professors. When she was able to reopen in the Corona crisis, people’s interest in books tended to increase, says the dealer. The people stuck at home had rediscovered reading.
According to information from the city, the book boxes in their current form have been around since 1891, when dealers were first allowed to store their goods in lockable boxes on the quays overnight. Since 1900 the boxes have had their current green color in the tone of the metro trains of that time. Over a length of three kilometers there are currently a good 900 boxes with around 200,000 books on offer.
The “Bouquinistes” owe their name to the Dutch term for a book. Today it is “boek”, while in Middle Dutch it used to be “boeckin” for a small book. In French it became “bouquin”.
Source From: Stern
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