Anglophones rejoice: your calls for English books have finally been answered by Librairie Masséna.
On the French Riviera, where the international expat and tourist population is significant, English-language resources are surprisingly scarce. One local bookstore, however, has responded to the high demand for English language literature: Librairie Masséna. The venerable institution for bookworms aged 5 to 95 has recently launched Librairie Masséna Around the World, a sister store situated just across from its original location. This new branch captures the same warm, welcoming community spirit that makes international bookstores like Waterstones and Barnes & Noble sanctuaries in a hectic world… just on a more intimate scale.
Upon entering 58, rue Gioffredo in the heart of Nice, visitors are greeted by a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for leaving stress and worries behind. Celebrating its grand opening in June, the bookstore hosted its first book signing with Nice-based Canadian food writer and chef Rosa Jackson and her recipe book Niçoise. This event marks the beginning of many planned activities, including children’s storytime and other exciting projects in the autumn.
The new store is managed by Amy Trowell and Amandine Salagnac, two passionate bibliophiles whose diverse backgrounds reflect the eclectic mix of Nice’s residents.
Amy Trowell originally comes from southeast England first moved to France about 30 years ago. Life then whisked her off to Montréal, Quebec for ten years. Endowed with a wealth of experience in radio broadcasting, translation, and voice-over artistry, and an astute appreciation for both French and English literary landscapes, she returned to Nice a year ago. Managing a bookstore like this one engages all of her talents. She calls her own taste in books pretty eclectic, “I would say my “go to” is historical fiction or retellings of well-known stories or happenings from a female perspective (Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, Madeline Miller’s Circe, Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne, to name but a few). I also enjoy non-fiction works that help me understand myself and this crazy world a little better!”
Amandine Salagnac is a native of the French Limousin region. She may have a master’s degree in publishing but always envisioned herself in a bookstore. And since her arrival in Nice five years ago with her husband, that’s where she could be found. She enjoys reading a lot of genres: her first choice is fantasy & science-fiction, but she also discovered a real passion for Japanese and South-American literature.
The duo’s enthusiasm for literature is evident in their interactions with customers and they are keen on sharing the reading bug with others. The bookstore caters to a diverse clientele: tourists on the lookout for guidebooks or a holiday read, expats seeking mother-tongue books, local French residents reading English to improve their linguistic skills, parents introducing their children to the language of Shakespeare, kids that are already bilingual, and teens inspired by #booktok.
Librairie Masséna Around the World also collaborates with language schools, high schools, universities, and local and international businesses. “Anyone looking to acquire books or educational materials via their company or Business and Social Council, may get in touch and we’d be happy to help,” says Amy.
Currently, Librairie Masséna Around the World carries over 2,500 titles, with a stock of approximately 5,000. The majority hail from the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and the USA, but also from Canada, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, India, and other Anglophone countries. It also features translated works from global authors, including those from Germany, Japan, Korea, Russia, Sweden, and Ukraine, as well as French classics and contemporary works. The genres range from fiction to thrillers, mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, young adult, children’s books, non-fiction, history, wellness, memoirs, science, and local travel guides. And if you’re looking for great gift ideas such as coffee table books, postcards, posters by local artists, you’ve also come to the right place.
We want to build a sense of community. We are a bookshop, yes, but we also want to be a ‘Happy Place’ for our customers. Whether it’s tourists who go away with a great holiday read and a fond memory of our store or locals who stop by to order a book they have been wanting for a while, to browse our new releases or bestsellers, to discuss a book they got here recently, to share a recommendation, to ask for help choosing a gift… kids whose faces light up when they find the next book in the series they’re currently enjoying, little ones who clap their hands when they see Bluey on the front cover… two strangers discussing a book they’re both interested in…”
— Amy and Amandine
General Information
Librairie Masséna Around the World
58, rue Gioffredo
06000 Nice
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 83 98 61
Open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm
Website https://www.librairiemassena.com
Email: massenaaroundtheworld@gmail.com
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All mages courtesy Librarie Masséna Around the World
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