Paris' Last Newspaper Hawker Receives Order of Merit from Former Customer, President Macron

At 72, Ali Akbar is honored with the Order of Merit by President Macron after decades of newspaper hawking on Paris’ Left Bank. Reflecting on the decline of print media and the changing atmosphere of the area, Akbar's enduring joy in his work and connections with the community shine through.

Ali Akbar, the last surviving newspaper hawker in France, has dedicated over 50 years to selling papers in the storied streets of Paris's Left Bank. Soon, he will be honored with the prestigious Order of Merit by President Emmanuel Macron, a former customer who fondly recalls buying newspapers from Akbar during his student days.

Reflecting on his remarkable career, which started when there were once dozens of hawkers peddling papers, Akbar expresses how the landscape has shifted drastically over the decades. "When I began here in 1973, there were 35 or 40 of us hawkers in Paris. Now I am alone,” he laments. The rise of digital media has significantly impacted sales, and on good days, he now sells about 30 copies of the esteemed Le Monde, a far cry from the 80 he would move in a single hour during the height of print media's popularity.

Despite the reality of dwindling customers, Akbar remains positively buoyant about his work. "I keep going for the sheer joy of the job," he states. At 72, he cherishes the independence that comes with selling newspapers on his own terms and enjoys the social interaction with locals and tourists alike. As a well-known face in the neighborhood, Akbar has cultivated relationships with many residents who view him as a cherished friend.

Originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akbar journeyed to Europe in the late 1960s and eventually landed in Paris, where he became an integral part of the area's cultural landscape. His experiences have allowed him to connect with colorful personalities, from important politicians to music legends, enriching his journey as a newspaper hawker.

Akbar reminisces about the vibrant scene of the past, lamenting the loss of soul in the neighborhood. "Back then, there were publishers and writers everywhere – and actors and musicians. The place had soul. But now it is just tourist-town," he muses with a chuckle, retaining his optimistic spirit amid the changing tides. As he prepares to receive his honor next month, the community continues to cherish the legacy of Ali Akbar, a symbol of old Paris.