Albertine & cafe in Baruth

Knowing how much local stores have suffered since the onset of the pandemic, I decided to pick up a few French-language titles here today. The same titles are available on Amazon for the same price, but I really believe in making an effort to support small brick-and-mortar businesses when possible. When I arrived at the store, there was a 20-minute queue to enter as the staff is quite strict about following social distancing measures. After 20 minutes of waiting in sub-freezing temperatures, the security guard came out and asked if anyone on line was picking up. I responded “yes” and followed him inside. After purchasing the books that I had ordered, I asked if it would be possible to peruse the store a bit. At this point, the demeanor of the cashier – Adam – changed suddenly and he became exceedingly rude. He said that I couldn’t “cut the line”, and I very politely explained that I’d already waited 20 minutes and that I was the next person on line. Adam then responded disrespectfully, “Well, I wasn’t there” before telling me that I could browse the store. I was speaking to Adam in French, and his French was not very good and it’s entirely possible that he doesn’t know the language well enough to address people with respect, so I shrugged off the encounter. Then, after perusing the upstairs for no more than 2 minutes, the security guard – Abdul – who had let us in told me that anyone who placed an order for pickup needed to “just come get your books and leave.” I was incensed that after spending $30 at the store and 20 minutes waiting in the cold, that the security guard had the audacity to tell me and my husband to leave the store after we’d just been told that we could browse its collection. Never in my life have I been so disrespected by the staff at any store, and never again will I waste time or money visiting Albertine. They must not realize that their main competitor is a tech behemoth that regularly eats small businesses for breakfast and is able to offer their customers the same products at the same or better prices with delivery to the home. I wish Albertine luck, but they have lost a very devoted customer today.

It’s a very lovely bookstore and I enjoy finding new books at Albertine but sadly the employees are extremely rude and unwelcoming. One employee stated being short staffed but no excuse for such appalling customer service. On my last visit, I was the only person on line and requested help finding an order that I placed since December. I was told to email or come back when I was physically present in the store as if I live around the corner. I should not have to plead for assistance to buy a book. In addition, emails go unanswered for days and months and there is no sense of accountability. Hopefully online shopping is a resolve in order to purchase the books needed because the shopping experience is dismal : (

Metal detector and guard who doesn't give good directions.

Great French book store.

Cool bookstore, great vibe, very confusing security process. Metal detector and guard who doesn't give good directions.

Gorgeous, small bookstore for French and English books. Upstairs is not to be missed!

A French-English bookshop lodged in the embassy. (Although English translations are well-represented, the stress is definitely on French originals and translations.) There's an entire 2nd floor that I didn't check out as I was in a bit of a rush. Folio paperbacks are very reasonably priced.

Bookstore with a beautiful ceiling

I came to this bookstore because I love french literature but was surprised to face some islamophobia from the guy in the front desk he followed me everywhere unless he had a customer, he thought I'd steal something and that made me feel extremely uncomfortable, he also spoke to me in a very degrading manner. This ruined my whole visit to New York. Honestly, FRENCH ISLAMOPHOBIA is so SICK. Just when I thought books are supposed to open your mind and soul to others ...

Love this place.

A beautiful space & the best selection of French language books, original & in translation, anywhere in New York. Fiction, essay, politics, BD, classic, just published - you name it.

French bookstore. Thank you.

The ceiling alone is worth the drop in to this bookstore if you're nearby. And once you're inside, might as well browse. Bonus: They've got some seating upstairs for a nice little break from the outside.

Amazing French book store in beautiful building. They have most newly published French books and staff is very friendly!

Such a beautiful library to visit to check out some French books! They have a wide selection — from graphic novels to Proust.

Love this place! It’s a quiet haven and a beautiful place to read. Only taking one star off because I’ve come here when they were supposed to be open and been told they were closed

I would buy and read Albert Camus books and then I will pass them on to others in my building.

Great french books

Lovely store with extensive francophone selection

Very good election in a beautiful location.

As I’ve already mentioned in a previous post, this is a tiny jewel of a bookstore just south of the Met Museum. Make sure to stop in to see this restored room in the French style. It includes a lot of portraits and gorgeous painted walls and draperies.

Gorgeous book store. Amazing place to read. It is quiet and it smells great. Lots books in French and English.

French books.

Many good books , holding special conferences and events

Great bookstore with books in French and in English, with interesting events

Belespace of the book

Great talks and books but the guy at the front desk is always so haughty and rude...to some. This time, he pandered shamelessly to the older Franco-French clients (“ ...et bien Madame, vous êtes trrrès cultivée”....ugh), then, when it was my turn, he hurriedly answered my question, cut me off and dismissed me with an irritated wave of the hand when I dared to *think* for a second to formulate my follow-up question. I ended up not buying the book that was presented at the event, especially since it would have meant having another interaction with him; I’m not spending money where I was treated with an inordinate amount of that stereotypical French disdain...by an American to boot! A middle of the road rating would seem fairer, but after several encounters of the sort it’s not worth it anymore. There are more than enough French language events at universities and other foreign language bookstores where non-French francophones can expect a more respectful attitude from staff.

Fun stacks to wander, always find something to read, friendly staff, well stocked magazine rack, and they always have local authors' books (directly across from cash register). Plus I'm often checking the window for posted local events as I walk by.

Closed early because of a private event, and very impolite about it. Please show customer commitment (and respect)

Excellent place to relax and read a book after strolling through central park. The ceiling on the 1st floor of the bookstore is amazing!

If you love great French books and the feel of quiet luxury this place is for you

I love it. It must be the most beautiful bookstore I met. It has a great variety of books in French and English but the truth is that it is inevitable not to be lost admiring the ceilings and their lamps. A dream. To stay a while reading and observing everything. They also have several first editions of classics.

Very pretty, very nice people, and very very expensive books

Beautiful French bookstore that offers a wide selection of books in French and English. Worth the detour, whether you are bookstore-ophiles or just curious!

What a gem of a place! Lovely bookstore with an excellent selection of art books, some on sale, and the lady behind the counter is very sweet and helpful. Would love to come here more often just to read in the upstairs room!

It would have been nice to inform your customers that the library is closed on Sundays in August!

Wonderful bookshop in a beautiful space.

A serenity place in this bustling city

Incredibly helpful staff and endless books. As a French teacher, I always come here to re-up on my pedagogical materials and to find things for my students to read that will keep them interested and challenge them to learn more French. Bilingual staff, very well-versed in all sorts of literature, language learning series, and culture. Qu'est-ce que j'aime Albertine!!!

Albertine is a really great French book store in the upper east side in New York Really good prices and good selection of French books and comics The staff is really helpful and gives you good advices

Excellent

Only French bookstore of New York! Charming welcome

Good

Rude off

Amazing art and French architecture

Magnificent architecture erected b/w 1902-06. Mint condition.

Amazing Place. @amh015

Cool bookstore .

Small and beautiful

I adore this store. Amazing selection, top-notch events, on-point social media, and the reddest, most knowledgeable, most professional booksellers you could hope to meet. Albertine is a cultural oasis, a community space, and a one-of-a-kind institution. Check out their amazing staff rec wall as you walk in!