The Bouquinistes -

ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS OF PARIS

Impossible to miss, the bouquinistes that line both sides of the Seine for several kilometers are an integral part of classic Paris, with their regulation green, lockable metal boxes that open up into displays for their antiquarian, secondhand books as well as prints, posters, artwork and a variety of mostly vintage and collectible items. 

The practice of selling secondhand books in the streets or Paris can be traced to the 16th Century. The concessions that evolved into the contemporary bouquinistes were introduced in 1859. Each bookseller was allowed 10 meters of railing by the Seine for an annual fee of 26 Francs plus a 25 Franc license. Today, 240 bouquinistes  are installed in 900 green boxes selling some 300,000 vintage and antiquarian books as well as a multitude of other collectibles and artwork. In 1991 the bouquinistes were recognized as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Address: 6 Quai de la Mégisserie, 75001 Paris (though the stalls are set up along both right and left banks of the seine river).

Open: Everyday - 365 days a year from morning to dusk.

Email for info: bouquinistesdeparis@gmail.com

Website: https://bouquinistesdeparis.com/