Everyone has been hit hard this year and one of the most beloved traditions in Paris was not immune. The Bouquinistes have lined the Seine for almost 200 years. With their Vert Wagon green boxes filled with books are as much a part of the landscape of Paris as the Eiffel Tower. I love to walk past them and stop and search through the books and even from time to time find a treasure you will never find in a book store.
The tradition dates back to the 16th century when the book sellers were mobile and forced from the Pont Neuf and under Napoleon the sellers became a fixture on the Quai's next to the Seine. In 1859 they were finally an official part of Paris and over the years a short list of stipulations were put into place. The boxes must all be painted the same Vert Wagon green and most sellers owned four boxes, with three that had to include books only. In the day of tourism, one box can include souvenirs. Today over 900 boxes belonging to more than 200 sellers brave the heat of the summer and the bone chilling cold of the winter.
This year without tourists in Paris and the many lockdowns times are hard for the bouquinistes and we need to help save this beloved institution. Landen Kerr has organized a wonderful auction of some of these sellers favorite items that would make the perfect holiday gifts for all your Paris lovers. Make sure to check it out today and bid on a treasure that will help these humble quite fixtures of Paris.
Wonderful thing you are doing @pariswithlanden