Living in San Francisco means immersing yourself in an innovative, open-minded, and creative city. But when you’re a French-speaking expat, nothing compares to the pleasure of leafing through a book in French or rediscovering the charm of a novel from France.
Good news: the Bay Area has several places and initiatives to keep reading in French, from bookstores and cultural spaces to online resources.
French Bookstore of San Francisco
Located in the North Beach neighborhood, the French Bookstore of San Francisco is a true institution for the French-speaking community.
You’ll find a wide selection of novels, comics, children’s books, essays, textbooks, and even a few French magazines.
The atmosphere is friendly, and the advice is always spot-on. It’s also a meeting place for francophiles and expats, centered around literature, language, and culture.
Address : 1345 Grant Avenue, San Francisco
Alliance Française of San Francisco
The Alliance Française is another cultural pillar for French speakers in the area.
Its media library offers a large collection of works in French: novels, comics, children’s books, magazines, and films.
Members can borrow freely and access Culturethèque, the Institut Français’ digital library, to read from home.
The Alliance also hosts book clubs, film screenings, and literary events open to everyone.
Address : 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco
English Bookstores with French Sections
Some independent bookstores in San Francisco, such as City Lights Booksellers or Green Apple Books, dedicate a few shelves to works in French.
You can find classics, bilingual editions, and occasionally newly imported titles.
These iconic landmarks of Californian literary culture are also worth a visit for their bohemian and inspiring atmosphere.
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