Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe
Sur le Pont-Neuf
| — | Histoire de Paris | — |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 26, 2022
1. Sur le Pont-Neuf Marker
Dès l'ouverture du pont, le premier de la capitale à être dépourvu de maisons, les bouquinistes y font leur apparition, au milieu des marchands ambulants de toutes sortes, tondeurs de chiens ou loueurs de parasols. Ces colporteurs disposent d'humbles étalages, parfois à même le sol, ou transportent leur marchandise accrochée à leur cou dans un panier d'osier. Ils se retrouvent vite en concurrence avec les libraires: dès 1614, un certain Pierre Douleur prend à bail pour 9 ans un emplacement à l'angle du quai de la Mégisserie, pour y installer sa boutique. La vente de livres d'occasion déplaît si fort aux libraires installés qu'ils obtiennent à plusieurs reprises, et pour la première fois en 1619, l'interdiction de la présence de leurs rivaux sur le pont, puis leur disparition définitive, grâce à une ordonnance royale en 1742.
As soon as the bridge opened, the first in the capital to be devoid of houses, booksellers appeared there, in the midst of itinerant merchants of all kinds, even dog shearers or parasol hirers. These peddlers had humble stalls, sometimes
this page online
Erected by Ville de Paris.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Histoire de Paris series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1742.
Location. 48° 51.367′ N, 2° 20.441′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois. It is at the intersection of Pont Neuf and Quai des Grands Augustins, on the right when traveling north on Pont Neuf. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paris, Île-de-France 75006, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Colonel Lizé (within shouting distance of this marker); Louise and Michel Leiris (about 90 meters away, measured in
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 26, 2022
2. Pont-Neuf and Marker
Regarding Sur le Pont-Neuf. The marker has a sense of humor that would not be apparent to someone reading the marker remotely, rather than in person. That is, although the marker speaks of the “definitive disappearance” of the used booksellers from the bridge as a result of the royal decree in 1742, what is left unsaid (because of their obvious and ubiquitous presence) is that the used booksellers have thus spread out on both sides of the Seine along the quays for well more than two centuries. So much so that UNESCO has declared the strip along the river where the used booksellers, known as Boquinistes, ply their trade a World Heritage Site. Or in other words, the marker is not really about anything on the bridge, but rather how the the environment around
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 26, 2022
3. Pont-Neuf
It is possible to cross the bridge, with nary a dog shearer, parasol hirer, or bookseller in sight.
Also see . . .
1. Boquinistes (Wikipedia).
Overview: The Bouquinistes of Paris, France, are booksellers of used and antiquarian books who ply their trade along large sections of the banks of the Seine: on the right bank from the Pont Marie to the Quai du Louvre, and on the left bank from the Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire. The Seine is thus described as 'the only river in the world that runs between two bookshelves'.(Submitted on February 2, 2023.)
2. Pont Neuf (Wikipedia).
Overview: The Pont Neuf (French pronunciation: [pɔ̃ nœf], "New Bridge") is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris, France. It stands by the western (downstream) point of the Île de la Cité, the island in the middle of the river that was, between 250 and 225 BC, the birthplace of Paris, then known as Lutetia and, during the medieval period, the heart of the city.(Submitted on February 2, 2023.)
Additional keywords. panneau
Photographed by Les editions d’Art Yvon, Paris, circa 1927
4. The Boquinistes of Quai Saint-Michel postcard
The postcard site is a little more than 300 meters to the east of the marker site. (Cathedral of Notre Dame in the background.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 2, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
