The 212 column explores iconic New York institutions, with a recent focus on Albertine bookstore, located in the palatial Payne Whitney House. This enchanting bookstore offers French-language classics in a luxurious setting, attracting visitors with its unique ambiance and impressive collection of fiction and nonfiction works. Named after a character in Proust’s novel, Albertine is part of a larger cultural initiative by the French Embassy known as Villa Albertine.
The bookstore, designed by Jacques Garcia, features elegant decor and hosts events focusing on literature, art, and economics. Visitors can also enjoy gatherings in the Atelier, a space designed by Hugo Toro to showcase contemporary French design. The Payne Whitney House’s rich history, as a wedding gift for the Whitney family in the Gilded Age, adds to the bookstore’s allure.
Albertine plays a crucial role in preserving French culture in New York, attracting both Francophiles and those seeking to improve their French language skills through book club meetings and events. The bookstore’s connection to the French Embassy and its broader cultural services promote cross-cultural exchange and celebrate French literature from a variety of Francophone countries. Overall, Villa Albertine stands as a testament to the enduring influence of French culture in New York City.
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