Les Bouquinistes de Paris, Petition

 

In July, the prefecture of Paris announced it wanted to move, during the 2024 Olympics, the emblematic green boxes of the bouquinistes who have been on the banks of the Seine for more than 450 years. 

The reason? To ensure "safety" 

So iconic is this scene, in 1991, the Paris bouquinistes were made a UNESCO world heritage site.

It’s been said Paris is ‘the only city in the world where a river runs between two bookshelves’ During the Olympics sporting event, the opening ceremony will be along the Seine, free to the public.

An unconvincing decision bound to have disastrous repercussions on the booksellers. Many unfortunately will have to close up permanently.

My Bouquinistes pal, Brigitte, told me on Friday, they would not have a ‘mani’/manifestation or any marches etc. 

The marches haven’t worked in the recent past under Macron (retirement issues or the yellow jackets) so what was the point, Brigitte said

Accordingly bookseller Hubert Bouccara, has just launched a petition.mentioned in Paris ZigZag. Please consider signing it.

61,000 have signes as of today.

There’s a wonderful society portrait artist you probably never heard of who painted the bouquinistes during WWII, 

Bernard Boutet de Monvel (1881-1949)

The word, ’boucquain" is probably derived from the Flemish "boeckjîn" or small book, makes its appearance in 1459.

Although in operation since the 16th century, the booksellers weren’t regulated until 1891. Then they were officially recognized by the City of Paris. 

Stalls must be painted in a special shade of carriage green. The same color of the carriage King Louis XVI on 21 January 1793 stepped out of as he made his way to the guillotiné at Place de la Concorde. 

The same color as Paris park benches/bancs, street signs, Wallace fountains, Morris Columns and city railings. The color, vert wagon, wasn’t actually mandatory until 1900. I just spent hours trying to find the exact name of that green somewhere on this blog of nearly 2,900 posts but it eluded me, so I’m calling it a day before today is completely over!

Bon Dimanche PBers !

Verdigris…Paris green…Acide Green…Chrome…Pthalo green

Don’t forget to pop into my Etsy shop of Paris gifts 🎁 

Last Sunday I caught this bouquinistes closing up shop end of day, with 4 naked Barbie dolls in one hand !

NE TOUCHEZ PAS AUX BOUQUINISTES NI À LEURS LIVRES !

                          PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION