"The bouquinistes are the living heritage of the capital," declared French President Emmanuel Macron, justifying his decision not to relocate the outdoor booksellers, known as 'bouquinistes,' from the banks of the Seine ahead of the Olympic Games.

This decision was made two days ago after a meeting with all stakeholders, including those advocating for the relocation of the bouquinistes during the Olympics, representatives of the booksellers themselves, and the Administration of the Organizing Committee of the Games. According to the Presidency, there was "no consensus and reassuring solution" for the issue, leading the president to intervene with the Paris Police Prefect, asking him to keep the booksellers in their places.

With their 900 green wooden boxes, anchored along the river Seine and filled with books, the bouquinistes are a cultural attraction. The tradition is deeply rooted, with the first small-scale sellers appearing in the 16th century.

Today, with over 300,000 books available – including classic and contemporary literary works, a large number of prints, and collectible cards – they invite passersby to discover the "little treasures" they offer. In 2019, the bouquinistes were included in the "Intangible Cultural Heritage" list for France.

Emmanuel Macron invoked this heritage in deciding against their relocation during the Olympic Games, a significant relief for the booksellers, some of whom feared they could not withstand the move with their aged green boxes.

However, this decision by the president leaves a bitter taste for the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, who had been seeking the relocation of the bouquinistes since October for easier public access and security reasons.

Moreover, the Seine banks are planned as the venue for the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on July 26, with approximately 300,000 spectators expected. It will be the first time that the Opening Ceremony of the premier sporting event is held with a parade on the water, outside the usual competition venues.