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Entertain yourself for an hour or two while wandering the book stalls along the Seine in the magnificent city of Paris. I saw the long green boxes that line the walls along the Seine from the Louvre to Notre Dame Cathedral. The boxes were filled with used books, magazines, posters, and old records sold by the booksellers or bouquinistes. Around the 16th century, these peddlers began to sell their books at the Pont Neuf. Then in 1859, the bouquinistes were allowed to establish their stalls at fixed points on the banks of the Seine. Today these 3 kilometers of the river banks are a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are 240 bouquinistes and they use the 900 green boxes to display and sell some 280,000 - 300,000 old books, and related items. The booksellers work the stalls from sunrise to sunset. The owners and their book stalls are unique and spending time walking along the river and looking for a treasure made me feel as though I were a Parisian and not a visitor. I perused each stall and dreamily strolled my way down the Seine. Starting at the Louvre area, on a balmy, sunny day I listened to the birds in the trees and looked at the views of the book stalls and ended near Notre Dame which was across the river. I was glad I decided to investigate the famous bouquinistes. Add the book stalls to your list of Paris musts.

If you’ve ever walked along the banks of the river Seine, you’ve probably seen long green boxes and their vendors plying souvenirs, postcards and a variety of other knick-knacks. But did you know that these Bouquinistes - all 240+ of them - are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Take the time to peruse what they’re offering. More than just frivolous trinkets, many of them house collector’s items from vintage magazines and stamps to used books, trading cards and old photos (which make for a far more interesting postcard). Stroll the Seine and talk to the vendors - you might just find yourself walking away with a Parisian treasure you’ll actually want to hang onto. (Bouquinistes are set up on the right bank from Pont Marie to Quai du Louvre and on the left bank from Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire)

When you’ve finished drinking in the wonders of Notre-Dame, cross the Seine via the Pont au Double and wander west along the quai de Montebello. This is where you’ll find the bouquinistes, or booksellers, whose wares run the gamut from priceless antiquarian rarities to dog-eared copies of yesterday’s bestsellers. They also sell art prints of Parisian views, many of them anodyne rubbish, but if you take the time to browse you may well find an appealing souvenir. (Approximately 150 metres / one-eighth of a mile)

The Seine River runs through the city of Paris and is one of the great historic rivers in Europe. It is and always been Paris’ heart. I was staying on the Left Bank in the 6th arrondissement. One morning after my breakfast croissant and bowl of hot cocoa, I crossed the Pont Neuf (Paris’ oldest bridge) over the Seine. I went down a flight of steps to the riverbanks and looked at the houseboats, floating restaurants, and cafés. I watched the barges, tourist boats, and water buses travel up and down the busy Seine. As I climbed the stairs up to the quays I walked up one side of the Seine and down the other looking at the attractions such as the Bouquinistes, and the artists who will paint your portrait. If you love Paris, you would love this time spent meandering the quays and riverbanks of the Seine. Spend two or three hours just enjoying Paris and the river in this gorgeous European capital city. It would be a shame to miss a walk along the Seine. A current guidebook is invaluable when touring Paris.