Literary Francophiles, your time has come. A new independent French and English languages bookstore and café just opened in Manhattan. And the vibes are parfaite.
Located at 145 West 27 St. in NoMad, La Joie de Vivre offers a quick getaway to France. 50% of books sold in the store are in French, offering French language literature, art, cooking, graphic novels and children’s books categories to New York’s French speakers. Of course, plenty of English language books are sold as well, for Francophiles who haven’t quite mastered their temps composés.
Posters, games, stationary, accessories and merch are also sold on-site.
Like any great bookstore, La Joie de Vivre also has an in-store cafe offering beverages and French pastries sourced from local bakeries.
Seating at La Joie de Vivre
La Joie de Vivre
A robust events calendar is promised, along with regular photography and painting exhibitions within the shop’s walls.
La Joie de Vivre is the passion project of Cyril Dewavrin a bookstore owner for more than twenty years, and owner of Librairie La Comédie Humaine in the South of France.
“La Joie de Vivre is first and foremost a place of rendez-vous for all to celebrate all kind of arts, literature and reading,” said Dewavrin. “By combining books, bakery and art exhibitions in a friendly Paris-inspired atmosphere, we are offering busy New Yorkers an opportunity to put down their phones, stimulate the senses, read and relax.”
Those who can’t make the shop’s opening hours, Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. -2 p.m. and 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. can also shop the store’s books and gifts online.