Les bouquinistes de la Seine

A walk along the banks of the Seine is an activity as beloved and ancient as the city itself. On both sides of the river, roughly from Île Saint-Louis to the Louvre, are the city's bouquinistes, independent sellers of secondhand and antique books, old maps, postcards, and all kinds of souvenirs. It's an activity that rewards patience — you may find a vintage film poster or a first-edition book to take home. Along the banks of the Seine, in central Paris, you'll encounter the bouquinistes: traders in secondhand books, old maps, posters, and souvenirs. Sometimes you'll find only touristy items, but patience can occasionally yield treasures, such as old posters or first-edition books.