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| Les bouquinistes along the Seine |
Location: Corner Quai du Louvre and Pont Neuf
English translation
"The term “boucquain”, probably derived from the Flemish “boeckjîn” or little book, first appeared in 1459, and was recorded as “bouquin” toward the end of the 16th century. In his 1690 “Dictionnaire”, Furetière defined it as “an old, crumpled and little-known book”; since 1752, the term “bouquiniste” has been used to describe the merchants who set up shop on the quays. In fact, their boxes gradually took over the parapets, initially on the left bank; around 300 of them were established during the Revolution, and they were first regulated by the ordinance of October 31, 1822. A first official census in 1857 counted 68 of them, and the decree of October 10, 1859 secured their continued existence, for a time threatened by Haussmann's large-scale renovations. Since 1891, these “merchants of spirit” have been allowed to leave their sealed boxes in place overnight. According to Pierre Mac Orlan, they represent “the symbol of the invitation to motionless travel”. " (Translated by DeepL and ChatGPT)
Background notes
- The word "bouquiniste" derives from the French word "bouquin" (meaning old book), which itself comes from the Flemish "boeckin" (little book). This etymology reflects the historical trade and cultural connections between France and the Low Countries during the late medieval and Renaissance periods, when the Low Countries were a major centre of book production, printing, and commerce.
- Antoine Furetière (1619–1688) was a French writer, lawyer, and scholar. He is best known for his Dictionnaire Universel, one of the first comprehensive French dictionaries. Unlike the official dictionary being compiled by the Académie Française, Furetière's work focused on technical, professional, and vernacular terms, making it a valuable resource for understanding everyday language and specialised trades.
- The boxes refer to rectangular storage units still used today by the bouquinistes. These boxes, attached to the parapets of the river, store books and other items for sale. Over time these bouquinistes' boxes were standardised in colour (green) and size to fit Paris's urban aesthetics, particularly during the 20th century. For example, modern regulations specify exact dimensions (2 metrex long, 0.75 metres high, 0.4 metres deep) and require that at least 75% of merchandise must be old or used books.
- The upheaval of the French Revolution (1789–1799) led to widespread looting of libraries, monasteries, and aristocratic estates. Many of these books entered the second-hand market, boosting the number of bouquinistes who sold them (to around 300 during the Revolution).
- Their decline to 68 vendors by 1857 may be attributed to various factors, including the normalisation of society post-Revolution, reducing the surplus of second-hand books, as well as the wider availability of books, with the rise of bookstores and organised publishing.
- Haussmann's urban transformation of Paris (1853–1870) prioritised cleanliness, order, and modernisation, which threatened the livelihood of the bouquinistes. However, as a result of the growing recognition of their cultural value, with the advocacy by writers and intellectuals, the 1859 decree officially secured their right to remain, reflecting their cultural and historical importance to Paris.
- Before 1891, bouquinistes had to remove their stalls and boxes each evening, which was inconvenient and labour-intensive. The 1891 regulation allowed them to leave their sealed boxes in place overnight, making their operation more practical and secure.
- By the late 19th century, bouquinistes operated along both banks of the Seine, from Pont Marie to Quai du Louvre on the Right Bank and from Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire on the Left Bank.
- The poetic term "merchants of spirit" highlights the cultural value of bouquinistes, who sold books and ideas rather than mundane goods. They were seen as purveyors of knowledge, literature, and intellectual inspiration.
- Pierre Mac Orlan (1882–1970) was a French novelist, poet, and songwriter, known for his reflections on urban life and wanderlust.
- The banks of the Seine in Paris, including the areas where bouquinistes operate, were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991, recognising their unique contribution to Paris's cultural, architectural, and historical landscape.