Macron’s plans to relocate iconic bookshops ahead of Olympics canceled
President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to relocate Paris’ bookshops in preparation for the Olympics in France in July have been canceled
French President Emmanuel Macron asked the Interior Minister and the Paris police to “protect all bookshops and ensure that none of them are forced to move,” according to a statement released by the Elysee Presidential Palace.
Macron reportedly sees “les bouquinistes” on the Seine as an example of the “living heritage of the capital.” But last summer, for security reasons, hundreds of bookstores were told they would be temporarily relocated a few days before the opening ceremony of the Summer Games.
In response, booksellers actively campaigned to preserve their green stalls despite the possibility that they would eventually be closed for good.
The booksellers’ community said they had recently felt abandoned by Parisians and suffered sales during the COVID-19 pandemic when tourists were unable to visit. It argued that many vendors could go bankrupt if the Olympics meant another blackout.
The Elysee said Macron had requested that security arrangements for the opening ceremony be adapted to keep outdoor book stalls in circulation.
Source: Newsroom & AP
