The buquinistas, alongside the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, stand as enduring symbols of Paris. A Parisian historian and publishing history expert notes that these green book stalls have deep roots, tracing back to the riverbanks that have welcomed books since the 16th century. They appear in films, in iconic photos, and more recently in tourist selfies. Small green kiosks line the Seine, inviting walkers and visitors to pause in the heart of the French capital.
Yet this beloved scene faced an imminent disruption tied to next year’s Olympic Games. By late July, the Paris police sent a notice to the buquinistas announcing changes along the riverbanks for the summer. The plan is to close the green wooden stalls and relocate them away from the Seine for at least two weeks. The stated reason is security amid concerns about a potential terrorist threat during the Games, which were scheduled to open on July 26, 2024.
For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony was set to be staged outdoors, with athletes and crowds strolling along an urban river path through central Paris rather than on a traditional stadium field. This bold setting led to a noticeable casualty: the buquinistas who felt the decision directly affected their livelihoods and their view of the city’s monuments.
Most affected
“This move feels incongruous with Paris’s image,” argues Charles Gedor, a buquinista for more than twenty years who attended an encounter with the city council. He views the security reasoning as insufficient, noting there are many other ways to address risk. Philippe Legendre, a vendor near the Louvre, adds that the authorities may be aiming to block the sightlines during the Olympic parade. The measure would impact about 600 of the 950 buquinistas in the city; similar arrangements affect the Paris–Lyon corridor and Nantes as well.
Historically, authorities began stations for these shops in fixed locations in 1859, embedding them along the Seine. They persisted through both world wars and remained a stable feature of the river’s landscape. With the Games, they faced evacuation for the first time, though the Paris City Council pledged that such moves would be temporary and that compensation would be provided to cover relocation or damage. Critics, however, remained skeptical about the promised support.
Financial fears and uncertainty
The greatest concern for many buquinistas centers on financial strain and uncertainty. One of the younger vendors, Amel Baguira, who runs a shop emphasizing botanical volumes, voices a common worry: how long the disruption will last and whether compensation will be offered. She fears the shutdown could extend to two to three months, a period that could fundamentally threaten the livelihoods of many small sellers who rely on the summer season. At present, there has been no formal compensation plan announced to ease the impact.
These tensions have sparked broader debate within French society. The historian Mollier criticized the decision, suggesting it removed a major Parisian landmark from view during the Games. Philosophers and writers, including Edgar Morin, Pascal Bruckner, and historians such as Michelle Perrot and Mona Ozouf, condemned the move in a collective note published in Le Monde. Since late July, Change.org has seen nearly 90,000 signatures supporting the booksellers. Supporters abroad and at home hope public pressure might persuade officials to reconsider the measure and protect the unique riverside book market.
Legendre notes that international friends have joined the petition, implying a broader cultural concern for preserving the city’s open-air literary tradition even amid heightened security concerns. The hope remains that the riverside bookshops will continue to keep Paris’s literary life alive, even as the city navigates the delicate balance between safety and cultural heritage.