We see them every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday while passing Place Kléber or Rue des Halberdes. Their stands adorn Strasbourg with a thousand literary treasures, and yet many people pass by without taking a look. So we went to meet the enthusiasts who run these second-hand book stalls all year round. We tell you.
Comics, classic masterpieces, beautiful books, posters, children’s books or rare editions : the third largest book market in France, Strasbourg, is full of gems. For more than 30 years, around two dozen second-hand book sellers have revealed their finds in the streets of Strasbourg, three days a week.
We went to meet those who, all year round, sell the books that follow us in our travel bags, our insomnia or our moments of daydreaming. The opportunity to discover a profession like no other.
Freedom darling
Right in front of Place Gutenberg, Paulo and Jean-Claude run stands together, as they have for 30 years. Initially, the two men worked, in the 1990s, at the Book Village of Fontenoy-la-Joûte, before setting up their own business. They tell us about their days from the heart, like an old couple who knows each other like the back of their hand.
Jean-Claude starts: “I am here out of passion. I never liked shop work. The Internet is not my thing. Here, in the market, I have my freedom. »
Speaking of freedom, Paulo adds: “The work is not easy. We often work days of more than 12 hours, from unpacking the stands in the morning to repacking in the evening. Not to mention the time we spend hunting for books, transporting them, and sometimes restoring them when they are a little damaged. But I have this privilege to work as I feel. »
Added to these tiring days are unforeseen events, particularly weather ones. Jean-Claude continues: “The weather is a big hazard. Of course, when storms or rain are forecast, there’s no point even thinking about coming to work. The merchandise is too fragile. »
Paulo completes: ” However, selling on the market reduces our costs as much as possible: no fixed charges, rent, electricity. So yes, sometimes we have bad days during which we sell little or with terrible weather, but it’s always worth it, because in the street, we have magnificent moments of life. »
When passion unites
Paulo explains to us that there is “always a story in the street”. On the book market, lots of profiles meet: curious people, students, enthusiasts, bargain hunters, and this joyful mixture is a source of galvanizing exchanges.
He continues: “We simply have a passionate and exciting clientele. We really believe in this idea of sharing: she learns from us, as much as we do from her. It’s a privilege. »
Jean-Claude then points out a young man in a cap: “He’s been coming since he was little. Today he is a young man. We create real connections, we see people grow and age, we build a network of regulars. And when we don’t see them, we worry! This market is a big family. »
A disappearing profession?
“What is a shame is that with the new generation, these exchanges are being lost. » Paulo details: with the Internet and new reading media (tablet, e-reader, etc.), young people have less ambition to buy and keep.
This is without forgetting the competition which threatens their profession. Between Amazon and the other “monsters” of the web who are also getting into the second-hand business, all with sometimes very low shipping costs, the book seller’s profession is losing its verve. And many become discouraged.
Jean-Claude adds: “Before, literature students came to buy all their books from us. They came with their lists for the year. Now, online sales have changed the situation… But enthusiasts continue to come without fail! » It just goes to show that the joy of feeling paper under your fingers and the smell of old books still appeals.
The second-hand booksellers, a symbol of Strasbourg
We continue our journey to visit Patrick, who sells Place Kléber with his son. We didn’t stop at his place by chance: Patrick is the spokesperson for Strasbourg second-hand booksellers. He also held the very first book market in Strasbourg history, more than 30 years ago.
The seasoned bookseller explains to us: “When you see us there, standing in the street, everything seems simple. But it is much more complicated: we depend directly on the town hall, there is an authority, that of the fairs and markets service. Several times a year, commissions take place in this context, and my role is to intervene with requests relating to the book market. »
The latest one was a big disappointment. “Strasbourg has been named world book capital. And we were surprised to find absolutely no mention of second-hand booksellers in the programming… So many people dream of having such a market in their cities, and we feel invisible. »
However, book sellers continue, three times a week, to dance thousands of pages of stories and stories of all kinds on their stands. And perpetuate the sharing of their passion, with those who never tire of these multicolored stalls.
And for the most motivated, the association Around the bookwhich includes second-hand booksellers, organizes a good number of events to be found in Alsace. All the information is here and above all, enjoy reading ????
