Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Les Bouquinistes

I struck out on street portraits here!

Stroll along the banks of the Seine and you will find the famous Paris bouquinistes. They offer an amazing selection of vintage books, magazines, prints, posters, records and of course, the usual tourist fare from their tin roofed green boxes. Unlike the obnoxious souvenir sellers around the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur, these vendors have a very French, "take it or leave it " attitude! I LOVE that attitude. Let me look, and I'll let you know if I want to buy! Plan to spend some time here, but don't be disappointed if you come away without any street portraits. The booksellers tend to be a bit camera shy.

11 comments:

Shell Sherree said...

LOL, you may have been denied the front view, but this angle speaks volumes, V! I like people to be friendly and acknowledge my existence in their domain ~ "Hi ~ let me know if I can help you with anything," then be left in peace. Do you think I'd score a "Bonjour," or would that go against the "take it or leave it," sentiment? :)

Damien Franco said...

I have to agree with Shell. I like to be greeted but not hounded. Let me know that I exist and that you are there to help, then let me shop at my leisure.

I'm just saying...

Harriet said...

Great portrait. I find this shot more interesting than if you had shown us his face.

Anonymous said...

Such a familiar scene. Took me right across the ocean.

Virginia said...

Shell,
Oh you will ALWAYS get a "Bonjour" from everyone, just not much after that! HA I said "Bonjour and Merci" so much while there that I had a hard time breaking myself of the habit when I came home! One thing I had a hard time adjusting to was that the waiters pretty much depend on you to let them know when you need something. Here in the US the waiters tend to hang over you and refill your water etc etc. Not so in Paris.
V

Daryl said...

So very .. Gaelic. I am sure he had a Romanesque nose

Starman said...

I confess to buying some "souvenir" coasters at a couple of the bouquinistes, some of which you can find at this very moment on my coffee table.

DW Quilt Art said...

Ah, I could (and have!) spend hours walking back and forth peering into these green boxes...sigh...missing Paris!

Shell Sherree said...

Thanks, V ~ good to know!!

Katie said...

Great photo. I love the bouquinistes, even if I only stroll by and don't buy. Last year I found one that had weird vintage postcards 10 for a Euro so I stood there for quiet a while going through the stack. The guy actually warmed up to me a little since I was buying, which shocked me a lot!

Virginia said...

katie,
Oh you must have charmed him! :)

Starman,
I'm sure those coasters are divine and I'd want to slip one in my purse if I had cocktails at your home!!

DW,
I'm with you. I miss it so much. I wish I could be there to see the gorgeous Christmas decorations ........la sigh.

Daryl, you and Hiker should join me there. Wouldn't we just rock their oh so French world in Paris??? I"m laughing just thinking about the possibilities. Paree wouldn't be the same after we blew outta town!!