Monthly Archives: May 2024

The Bouquinistes of Paris

Stroll along the Seine River in Paris on days of tolerant weather, near to the Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame cathedrals by Point Neuf, and you’ll see many vintage dark green book stands set atop the centuries old riverbank walls.

Each little stand holds many books mixed with magazines, graphic novels, posters, postcards, music, and much in ephermera mostly vintage in French language. You’ll find much treasure within, of wonderous literature and art of historical variety in these antiquatiarian stalls.

These are The Bouquinistes of Paris, a long-standing tradition of used indie booksellers in operation dating back to the 16th century.

Each stand regulated with the city of Paris, limited to four “boxes” with strict size and placement regulations. There are over 200 stands, holding hundreds of thousands of mostly vintage French language books of every subject. You’ll find much in modern day creative works as well.

Personally, The Bouquinistes of Paris is among my favorite features of this great city. I love book and magazine stands, and sadly I feel these are vanishing in the big cities I frequent. To see the many here in the most beautiful of city walkways, preserving history much like the surrounding architecture, sculptures, museums Paris is known for, is refreshing.

I bought two thin small books , and an old photograph, something I would like to share in a separate found treasures post for another day.

I shall certainly return and set aside more time to browse. You should too!

Pictures:

– Orion T

Montmartre’s District of the Dead

Behold, in the northwest central region of the great City of Lights that is greater known as Paris (France), is the Cemetery of Montmartre.

This is the third largest cemetery in Paris, nearly two centuries old. It was created out of necessity from an abandoned gypsum quarry. past used to house bodies during the French Revolution. Since then, here buried are many locally known artists, composers, writers, and other well-respected folk likely to have their remains held in Parisian decor and prestige.

One can easily view the Cemetery of Montmartre above the Rue (Street) Caulaincourt bridge (where the pictures above and below came from). I had no plans or even knew of this cemetery. I just happened to pass by it on a very long later afternoon walk through the city, taken by surprise. There is a public entrance for a closer look. Sadly, I was a little late in my walk to enter through. Perhaps next time I visit this City of Lights..

– Orion T

My first dinner in Paris…

I recall back to last fall, early October, as I cycle through old phone pics. Posting now, this is what I recall…

The steak and frites were okay, could use more seasoning on both. The wine was good, but a bit weird to have with les pommes frites. Is that a normal thing in France? Or do the French just have wine with anything? I took it as a reccomendation. Sorry, I don’t recall what the wine was.

So there I was alone at some late night diner, across from the Seine River and close to the Louvre Museum, which I did visit. This was my first dinner of a trip that would start in Paris, continued through the countryside to and through southern France, back to Paris, and eventually Amsterdam. I did not mind this lackluster experience, as this gave me much to look forward for more great food experiences. I knew there was better for the days ahead, so I was excited.

After eating asked for a tip, which I knew this not a thing away from the touristy areas. Did I tip though? I don’t remember. But oddly, the waiter took a smoke break shortly after my order, right in front of my table (see picture above). Is that a thing french waiters causally do? I hope not.

Still, I enjoyed the experience for what it was.

– Orion T

Where great music waits for the musician…


“All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.” – Jean Cocteau, French poet, playwright, novelist, many other things.

Jean speaks true. Musical instraments are beautiful things, with no limit to what grandness one is capable in motivated hands.

– Orion T

The picture above is from a morning walk near the Porte de Clignancourt, an hour walk north of the Seine River in Paris. That was near a large market where I have stories to share for another day.

Where the art is bananas…

In the grand Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden) of Paris, I walked around to admire this vast open area of statues, art sculptures, strategically grown trees. It’s a beautiful place rich in history and inspiration, with plenty of room to sit down, relax, think how fortunate one is to find a moment of peace in such a wonderful place.

I noticed a broken statue of some lion, adorned with fresh bananas. I was a little hungry and the bananas looked tempting.

But then I thought, let’s not touch the art.

In truth, the bananas are made of bronze and hand painted by modern-day artist Tony Matelli. But that did not stop from wanting to eat the art.

– Orion T

Picture was taken last fall. Just felt this was a good time to share it, because life is bananas.

A sign of confusion, to be something else..

On a path I did not expect to take, feeling a little loss.
I come across a sign that lost its signal.
The sign would tell you something, but it’s not a big deal.
Does that make the sign useless?
No.
It just has a different meaning now. You still know it was a sign.
It just has a different message now. What is it?
I don’t know. Let’s just call it art.


– Orion T

Picture above is from a stroll in Paris, France some months ago. I was a little lost, but that’s all right. Paris is a great city to get lost in. More soon!