• Home
  • Le Journal
  • SHOP
  • About Parisian Moments
  • Reviews
  • Join Us
    • Contact
    • Shop Policies
  • Sign In My Account
Menu

Parisian Moments

  • Home
  • Le Journal
  • SHOP
  • About Parisian Moments
  • Reviews
  • Join Us
  • About
    • Contact
    • Shop Policies
  • Sign In My Account
 
Galerie Vivienne. Fine art print available. Click on image.

ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS OF PARIS

September 4, 2020

Paris is a marvelous city for vintage and antiquarian books. Objects of great beauty, quite apart from the wisdom or entertainment they contain, these treasures from the past are hard to resist. Perhaps part of the fascination is that they are so much more beautiful as objects than any of the millions of books being produced today. 

In this article we’d like to take you on a short virtual tour of some of the places where you can browse and buy vintage and antiquarian books in Paris. 

THE BOUQUINISTES

180922-63.jpg
dcp-2016050918323-Edit-Edit.jpg

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.

181026-50-reduced.jpg
Jules Verne Antiquarian Books
dcp-2016050918308-Edit.jpg
dcp-2016050918324-Edit.jpg
dcp-2018042022460-Edit.jpg
dcp20110731-13548.jpg
Antique Books
dcp-2018042022458.jpg
dcp20110731-13567.jpg
Bibliiothèque Rose Vintage Books
dcp-201910132735678-Edit-Edit.jpg
181026-50-reduced.jpg Jules Verne Antiquarian Books dcp-2016050918308-Edit.jpg dcp-2016050918324-Edit.jpg dcp-2018042022460-Edit.jpg dcp20110731-13548.jpg Antique Books dcp-2018042022458.jpg dcp20110731-13567.jpg Bibliiothèque Rose Vintage Books dcp-201910132735678-Edit-Edit.jpg

MARCHÉ DU LIVRE ANCIEN ET D’OCCASION (ANTIQUARIAN AND SECONDHAND BOOKS MARKET)

dcp-2018042122592.jpg

Founded in 1987, Le Marché du Livre Ancien et d'Occasion (Antiquarian and Secondhand Books Market), along Parc G. Brassens in the 15th arrondissement, is open every Saturday and Sunday of the year from 9am to 6pm. The market consists of some fifty booksellers in a historic setting, a gathering place for professionals, bibliophiles, collectors, and all lovers of books. The stands, arranged for easy browsing under cover, display a huge variety of books and documents including manuscripts, first editions, collectible books and magazines, children’s books, old documents and photographs, as well as modern secondhand books. Bargain hunters and treasure seekers can easily lose themselves for a day in the market.

dcp-201903162736415.jpg
dcp-2018042122567.jpg
dcp-2018042122621.jpg
dcp-2018042122573.jpg
dcp-201903162736467.jpg
dcp-2018042122570.jpg
dcp-201903162736460.jpg
dcp-2018042022441.jpg
dcp-201903162736509.jpg
dcp-2018042122590-Edit.jpg
dcp-2018042122613.jpg
dcp-2018042122588.jpg
dcp-2018042122589-Edit.jpg
dcp-201903162736415.jpg dcp-2018042122567.jpg dcp-2018042122621.jpg dcp-2018042122573.jpg dcp-201903162736467.jpg dcp-2018042122570.jpg dcp-201903162736460.jpg dcp-2018042022441.jpg dcp-201903162736509.jpg dcp-2018042122590-Edit.jpg dcp-2018042122613.jpg dcp-2018042122588.jpg dcp-2018042122589-Edit.jpg

FLEA MARKETS – PUCE DE VANVES

dcp20110730-13361-Edit-Edit.jpg

There are several major flea markets in Paris and most of them include antiquarian booksellers in amongst the antiques, old coins, pocket watches, china, furniture, paintings, posters, postcards, photos, prints and all sorts of collectibles, knick-knacks and junk. These two photos (above and below) were taken at the Porte de Vanves flea market (Puces de Vanves).

dcp20110731-13439-Edit.jpg

A SAMPLING OF BOOK SHOPS

These are just a sprinkling of the many, many bookshops in Paris that sell antiquarian books, all worth visiting if you love the look, feel, smell and content of the treasures that are old books.

dcp-201910182736218.jpg
180904-90.jpg
dcp-201910182736224.jpg
191105-270.jpg
dcp-201910182736218.jpg 180904-90.jpg dcp-201910182736224.jpg 191105-270.jpg

Several of these bookshops can be found in the passages and galeries – the historical covered arcades which are the subject of our earlier blog post, Galeries & Passages of Paris. The wonderful bookshop (above) is Librairie Jousseaume in Galerie Vivienne, founded in 1826, one of the oldest still operating today. Here you will find many rare, ancient tomes, including an extensive collection of historical books on Paris.

181003-104.jpg
181003-117.jpg

Le Pont Traversé (above) was an unusual bookshop on rue de la Vaugirard near the Luxembourg Gardens. It was founded in 1949 by the writer and poet, Marcel Béalu, and moved to its current location, a listed former butcher’s shop. The gilded cow’s heads on the exterior betray the shop’s former identity. Unfortunately this wonderful bookshop closed its doors late last year. It’s included here out of nostalgia.

dcp-201910212736632.jpg
dcp-201910212736630.jpg
Vintage Books, Print
dcp-201910212736628.jpg
dcp-201910212736632.jpg dcp-201910212736630.jpg Vintage Books, Print dcp-201910212736628.jpg

The Librairie Bloody Mary on rue de Linné not far from Luxembourg gardens is a small shop crammed to the rafters with wonderful old books, even spilling out onto the sidewalk with stands full of rare finds for passing casual or dedicated bibliophiles to handle and pore through lovingly.

As already mentioned, these are just a few of the many, many shops in Paris offering antiquarian and collectible books.


BOOKBINDING

An offshoot of the antiquarian books trade, the bookbinding industry is still alive, well and thriving in Paris. A good example is G&G Bookbinding in Place Dauphine, named after the artisan/proprietor Gregory Gobillot (shown in the photos) – a real master of his art.

dcp-2016051118730-Edit.jpg
dcp-2016051118725.jpg
dcp-2016051118724.jpg
dcp-2016051118723.jpg
dcp-2016051118693.jpg
dcp-2016051118698.jpg
dcp-2016051118702.jpg
dcp-2016051118717.jpg
dcp-2016051118713.jpg
dcp-2016051118706.jpg
dcp-2016051118708.jpg
dcp-2016051118725.jpg dcp-2016051118724.jpg dcp-2016051118723.jpg dcp-2016051118693.jpg dcp-2016051118698.jpg dcp-2016051118702.jpg dcp-2016051118717.jpg dcp-2016051118713.jpg dcp-2016051118706.jpg dcp-2016051118708.jpg

NEW IMAGES IN THE PARISIAN MOMENTS SHOP

Prints and canvases of antiquarian books make great wall decor and have proved very popular, particularly for dens, offices, libraries and studios. We have added a number of new images to the shop. Click on any of the images below to read more about the print, canvas or discounted collection.

Paris Vintage Books Collection
dcp-2016050918306-Edit-Edit.jpg
Bibliothèque Rose Vintage Books
Vintage Books
Antiquarian Bouquiniste
Antique Bookstall Print
Antique Books Vertical, Print
Jules Verne Antiquarian Books
dcp-2016050918306-Edit-Edit.jpg Bibliothèque Rose Vintage Books Vintage Books Antiquarian Bouquiniste Antique Bookstall Print Antique Books Vertical, Print Jules Verne Antiquarian Books

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. Like many people, we have a soft spot for antiquarian books, and have spent many happy hours in Paris reveling in (as well as photographing) the many beautiful collections available in the city’s bookstalls, markets and specialist shops. They are part of the legacy of arts and letters for which the City of Lights is so renowned. We wanted to share this particular love with you here.

Please leave us a comment below. We always like to hear from you. You can also email us with any questions or comments. We will respond promptly.

And please share this blog post with your friends.


À bientôt!

Georgianna and David

← CHRISTMAS 2020 IN PARIS – PART 1FRENCH PANORAMAS →

Posts

Featured
HÔTEL DE LA PAÏVA
HÔTEL DE LA PAÏVA

Hôtel de la Païva is the last remaining hôtel particulier on the Champs Élysées which still retains all the original decor. The interior detail is amazing. This post has photos of that interior.

Collector Profile NUMBER 1, Jill H.
Collector Profile NUMBER 1, Jill H.

A house full of Parisian Moments photos. One collector of our work has filled her house with images of Paris.

SAINT-ÉMILION
SAINT-ÉMILION

Saint-Émilion, the beautiful medieval village not far from Bordeaux, famous mostly for its wine

JARDIN DES PLANTES
JARDIN DES PLANTES

The Jardin des plantes, a beautiful Paris botanical gardens with a fascinating history

HOLIDAY SEASON IN PARIS - 2023
HOLIDAY SEASON IN PARIS - 2023

The Holiday Season is always elegantly festive in Paris and this year is no exception. Join us for a visual tour of some of this year’s attractions and decorations.

PLACE DAUPHINE
PLACE DAUPHINE

Place Dauphine is a small, charming, not so well known, off the beaten path park on Île de la Cité in Paris.

TUILERIES GARDEN PART 2 – SPRING AND SUMMER
TUILERIES GARDEN PART 2 – SPRING AND SUMMER

The magnificent garden to the Tuileries in spring and summer (for autumn and winter see part 1)

TUILERIES GARDEN PART 1 – AUTUMN & WINTER
TUILERIES GARDEN PART 1 – AUTUMN & WINTER

The magnificent garden to the Tuileries in autumn and winter (spring and summer to follow in part 2)

PALAIS-ROYAL GARDENS
PALAIS-ROYAL GARDENS

The beautiful gardens of the Palais Royal in Paris throughout the seasons.

LUXEMBOURG GARDENS
LUXEMBOURG GARDENS

Luxembourg Palace and Gardens in photos. A comprehensive view.

HOLIDAY SEASON IN PARIS - 2022
HOLIDAY SEASON IN PARIS - 2022

The Holiday Season is always elegantly festive in Paris and this year is no exception. Join us for a visual tour of some of this years’s attractions and decorations.

VERSAILLES – AN INTRODUCTION
VERSAILLES – AN INTRODUCTION

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous buildings in the world, rich in history and of great architectural interest. This Journal post is a short introduction with photos and videos that give an idea of what the visitor to the Palace can expect to see.

PINK CHESTNUT TREES IN PARIS
PINK CHESTNUT TREES IN PARIS

There are so many pink chestnut trees around Paris, all blooming in April and May. This post covers just a few of the locations.

PARISIAN MOMENTS HAS A NEW HOME
PARISIAN MOMENTS HAS A NEW HOME

Parisian Moments has a new home in the 7th arrondissement of Paris in a beautifully preserved Haussmannian apartment from the beginning of the 20th century, complete with herringbone parquet floors, marble fireplaces, beautiful mirrors and exquisite very high molded ceilings.

NEW HOME IN PARIS
NEW HOME IN PARIS

Early spring in Paris, bursting with camellias, plum blossom, magnolias, daffodils and cherry blossoms.

PARIS IN THE SNOW
PARIS IN THE SNOW

Paris is magical in the snow. These images and video were all shot in January 2021 when it snowed for a day and transformed the city.

CHRISTMAS 2020 IN PARIS – PART 3
CHRISTMAS 2020 IN PARIS – PART 3

The third of three posts on Christmas 2020 in Paris in pictures and video… Galerie Vivienne, the Panthéon, Montmartre, shops and streets, beautifully decorated for the Christmas holidays.

CHRISTMAS 2020 IN PARIS – PART 2
CHRISTMAS 2020 IN PARIS – PART 2

The second of two posts on Christmas 2020 in Paris in pictures and video…

CHRISTMAS 2020 IN PARIS – PART 1
CHRISTMAS 2020 IN PARIS – PART 1

The first of two posts on Christmas 2020 in Paris in pictures and video…

ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS OF PARIS
ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS OF PARIS

Paris is a wonderful city for antiquarian and antique books and we show you the sources here and some wonderful photos for you to enjoy…

FRENCH PANORAMAS
FRENCH PANORAMAS

We have curated a collection of Paris and France panoramas and made them available on canvas…

PARIS MARKET PEONIES
PARIS MARKET PEONIES

Everyone loves peonies and the Paris markets know how to display them at their best…

SPRING IN PARIS
SPRING IN PARIS

The cherry blossoms in Paris in the Spring are quite spectacular. We show you a few places where you can see the best of them…

FRENCH CHALKBOARD MENUS AND SIGNS
FRENCH CHALKBOARD MENUS AND SIGNS

French chalkboard menus and signs are a fascinating and photogenic subject. We’ve added a number of images of them to our shop to be used as wall decor in kitchens, dining rooms and cafés….

GALERIES & PASSAGES of PARIS
GALERIES & PASSAGES of PARIS

Hidden Paris history as seen in the galeries and passages that remain to this day, fascinating relics originating in the early 1800s….

5 Great Loire Valley Châteaux
5 Great Loire Valley Châteaux

The Loire Valley is well known for the large number of great and beautiful châteaux which can be found there. These are five of our favorites…

8 Facts YOU MAY NOT KNOW About The Eiffel Tower
8 Facts YOU MAY NOT KNOW About The Eiffel Tower

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower only just survived, not once but at least four times!? Read about this and many other fascinating, little-known facts…and enjoy some great photos and videos….

French Country Roses
French Country Roses

A few examples of the abundance of beautiful roses which adorn the French countryside and villages in the summer….

Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre-Dame de Paris

A tribute to Notre-Dame de Paris with beautiful photos and video of the cathedral prior to the 15 April 2019 fire, along with historical notes…

Paris Gallery Wall Contest
Paris Gallery Wall Contest

Enter the Paris Gallery Wall Contest with a chance to win a $300, $200 or $100 gift certificate for ParisianMoments.com

Join us

Sign up for our mailing list today and receive a free, beautiful 32-page ebook.
Let's stay connected with our occasional travel newsletters, special offers and updates. 

Thank you!
Le Journal Paris France blog post articles RSS
Le Journal Paris France blog post articles RSS

Search • Help/Custom orders - Please contact us. •  Privacy policy. Terms and Conditions. 

© Parisian Moments. Parisian Moments and Set Your Life to Paris Time are trademarks owned by Georgianna Lane and David C Phillips.