Paris insight: ‘Book Man’
Paris is a city of so many stories: historic, red-letter events and intimate personal occasions. They’re woven together in the fabric of the city of light. In this new series, you’re invited to indulge your curiosity with a spot of virtual people-watching and creative insight into the lives of Parisians.
Join us to discover the candid, quiet and sometimes comedic moments of everyday humanity in Paris.
See how the daily grind takes on an intriguingly beautiful quality against the backdrop of the beloved capital.
Thanks to our favourite Parisian Instagram accounts.
Passage de Panoramas, 75002 Paris
Paris insight – ‘Book Man’
Remnants of a bygone age when protection
from the elements and horse slop was considered a luxury,
Paris’ few remaining shopping galleries are oddities that run the
gamut from dingy to dazzling. Narrow, hidden, enclosed alleys,
they were forerunners to shopping malls but quickly fell out
of favour and into disrepair when infrastructure advances
rendered them obsolete.
Today a handful prevail — some are leaky
dark spaces with sketchy establishments, but a few retain splendor
and charm. Lacking street exposure, their storefronts
are best suited to niche purveyors, many catering to
collectors of stamps, coins, books or art.
I’ve passed this particular book shop
often but rarely seen the proprietor engaged with anything
but his wares, with which he has much in common
(being old,dusty, implacable and intriguing).
This shot was snapped in passing yet captured the mood
and his standard repose: disheveled, disinterested and
isolated whilst reading in the back, leaving his
friends to sell themselves to any who might wander past.
Book Man – Meet Kevin Doolan from @midlifeinparis Instagram – merci mille fois!
Parisian insights:
Street photography from our favourite Parisian Instagram accounts accompanied by observations of people & places in the city of light.
Do you relate to this fusion of image & insight in Paris? In what way? Let us know in the comments!
Image credits:
1. Book Man by Kevin Doolan. Via Instagram.