Newspaper Vendor Ali Akbar to Receive France’s ‘Order of Merit’

Ali Akbar, the beloved newspaper vendor of Paris’s Left Bank — who has been selling newspapers for the past 50 years — is set to receive one of France’s most prestigious honours, the Order of Merit. The award will be conferred next month in recognition of his special contribution to French culture.

According to the BBC, French President Emmanuel Macron himself used to buy newspapers from Ali Akbar during his student days. Akbar arrived in France from Pakistan in 1972. His European journey began in the 1960s, when he worked on a cruise liner in Amsterdam. When the ship docked at the port of Rouen in France, he decided to stay. A year later, he moved to Paris, and in the 1980s, he obtained permanent residency in France.

A Career Spanning Five Decades

Ali Akbar began selling newspapers in the Left Bank of Paris in 1973. Initially, he worked alongside 35–40 other vendors, but today he is the only one left in the area still engaged in this trade.

“In the past, I could sell 70–80 copies in the morning alone. Now, on average, I sell just 30 copies in an entire day. Customers used to queue for newspapers — now I have to chase them,” he remarked.

He explained that he earns half of the sale price from each newspaper sold but receives no reimbursement for unsold copies. Despite the decline in print readership due to the rise of digital media, he continues his work out of passion:

“I do it simply because I enjoy it. This job gives me happiness. I am completely independent — no one tells me what to do. I work in my own way.”

A Familiar Face in Saint-Germain

At 72 years old, Ali Akbar is a well-known figure in the Saint-Germain district. Over the years, he has become acquainted with politicians, writers, directors, and actors — including Macron. In the area’s past, when it was a hub for intellectuals and artists, he had close ties with many literary figures and celebrities. British music legend Elton John once recalled treating him to milk tea at the famous Brasserie Lipp café.

However, Akbar notes that Saint-Germain has changed:

“Now, it has become merely a tourist spot — the vibrancy it once had with photographers, writers, and artists is gone.”

Timeline of Ali Akbar’s Journey

Ali Akbar’s story — as the last surviving newspaper vendor in Paris — is a remarkable tale of perseverance, independence, and quiet dedication, making his upcoming national honour all the more inspiring.