As America’s Independence Day celebrations enter the home stretch, France’s Bastille Day festivities await. July 14th, 2019 marks 230 years since the Storming of the Bastille — a turning point in the French Revolution. Today, more than ever, there will be hundreds of events held in NYC to honor France’s national day.
While there is no shortage of parties to attend, many of us love to celebrate our Francophile tendencies regardless of the day or month. Don’t miss out on these hidden French gems that may surprise you. From exploring a cool, contemporary French cheese shop in SoHo to seeing the hand-painted celestial ceilings of a dreamy French American bookstore on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, here are 6 ways to find a piece of France in New York City.
French Cheese Board
Pay homage to fromage at this designated NYC French cheese authority. Whether you’re a turophile, an unofficial cheese lover or an adventurous foodie, this experience is guaranteed to broaden your fromage français vocabulary. Located in SoHo, the French Cheese Board offers wine and cheese pairing sessions and interactive presentations to improve your knowledge of French cheese. This innovative destination for exclusive programming blends art, design and food and appeals to both connoisseurs and the curious in search of the mystique that surrounds French cheese. They also have a boutique that offers a selection of cookware and accessories. www.frenchcheeseboard.com.
Agnès de Villarson
This Upper East Side based floral design studio offers bouquets of pure elegance created and curated by French florist, Agnès de Villarson. Growing up in the French countryside, Agnès learned the art of flower arranging by accompanying her grandmother to gather fresh flowers from the garden. Often in high demand by the likes of Chanel and Lanvin, her floral creations offer impeccable, refined taste with a fresh approach. www.agnesdevillarson.com.
Atelier Sucré
Located in the East Village, this commercial kitchen offers a space to create delectable French sweets. They offer pastry and wine tastings as well as workshops on traditional and modern dessert making, welcoming students of all experience levels and providing all the equipment and tools needed. www.ateliersucreny.com.
Sézane
The go-to boutique for French girl style located in Nolita, L’Appartment New York captures the spirit of the Parisian joie de vivre. With enormous success in Paris, this fashion brand was the first in France to sell all its collections completely online. It offers chic and affordable pieces along with monthly events, including workshops, cultural events and private shopping experiences. www.sezane.com/us/nyc.
Cire Trudon
Take a step inside the oldest French candle manufacturer’s first freestanding store also located in Nolita. Bursting with history, one whiff of the refined fragrances will propel you back to the 17th-century halls of Versailles. These are the “Rolls Royce” of candles made of the highest quality with 100% vegetable wax — free of pesticides and allergens to ensure a clean burn. www.trudon.com/us_en.
Albertine
Located on the Upper East Side in the Payne Whitney mansion, this two-story specialty bookstore is a one-stop shop for all things Proust and Dumas. An initiative of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Albertine is committed to offering French works in both English and French. It holds the largest selection of French literature in the United States with more than 14,000 titles from 30 French-speaking countries. www.albertine.com
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