Photography Book Alain Cornu – Bouquinistes

Bouquinistes by Alain Cornu is a htribute to the istory of Parisian booksellers. “Paris is the only city in the world where the river flows between two rows of books,” wrote Blaise Cendrars.

A Portrait of a Parisian TraditionBorn 450 years ago with the Pont Neuf, the bouquinistes have dotted the Seine’s banks with their green boxes. Though firmly anchored to the parapets, these boxes take us beyond the sea, into the realm of imagination. Emblematic of a certain art de vivre à la française, the bouquinistes remain relatively unknown, often seen only in the background of postcard-perfect views of Paris. This inspired photographer Alain Cornu, a passionate chronicler of Paris and its history, to meet with them and shine a light on their stories.

The Project

After more than three years of dedicated exploration, meeting every member of this unique profession, Alain Cornu now seeks to create a book that is both a photographic and historical panorama as well as a living testimony. The project focuses on three themes: portraits, landscapes, and history, enriched by interviews with the bouquinistes.

Landscapes

The book includes 36 landscape photographs centered on the bouquinistes’ iconic boxes, captured from various perspectives—from detailed close-ups to sweeping wide shots. Set in the heart of Paris, these images also showcase the surrounding architecture and monuments, such as Notre-Dame de Paris, the Louvre Museum, and the Conciergerie.

History

The bouquinistes’ presence along the Seine dates back to the mid-16th century and is closely intertwined with the history of Paris and France. The Fronde, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the 19th century all shaped and transformed this unique profession. Historian Angélique Jolivet delves into these eras in the book, sharing a richly researched historical narrative, supported by rarely seen archival documents gathered over nearly a year.

Testimonies

To honor the memory and unique experiences of the bouquinistes, Alain Cornu collected personal testimonies from members of the profession. These accounts, presented as written portraits, accompany the photographs. Each story sheds light on the trade in a sensitive and personal way. The book features 20 of these written portraits, offering a human perspective on this enduring tradition.

Forewords

• Jean Tulard, historian and member of the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques, contributes his reflections, expressing his admiration for the bouquinistes, whom he sees as authentic actors of culture.
• Jérôme Callais, president of the Association des Bouquinistes, highlights his efforts to have the profession recognized as part of France’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage” and supports the realization of this book. His words emphasize the passion and daily struggles of being a bouquiniste.

Why a Book, and Why Now?

Although bouquinistes have been the subject of various publications, they have never been photographed in such a comprehensive and vivid way. At a time when their fragile livelihood is threatened by the dominance of screens over books and by challenges such as their fight for survival during the preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Alain Cornu saw it as essential to support them by dedicating this heritage-focused book to their craft.

Alain Cornu

Born in 1966, Alain Cornu is a French photographer based in Paris and a graduate of the École des Gobelins. In his studio, he works on commissioned projects while developing personal ones in still life and portrait photography. Outdoors, he explores landscapes, including France’s forests, rural zones, prehistoric heritage, and coastline. Cornu is also passionate about Paris, producing long-term documentary projects on the city. Following his acclaimed book on the rooftops of Paris in 2016, he turned his lens to the bouquinistes, photographing 168 portraits between 2021 and 2024. This series is now part of the collection of the Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris.

Alain Cornu – Bouquinistes

248 pages, 204 photographs
1 historical essay, 20 personal testimonies, 2 forewords, 1 postface
19.5 x 24.5 cm, 1,000 copies

The book is currently available for pre-order via the following link: Pre-order on KissKissBankBank