Bonjour Books DC French Bookstore

Bonjour Books DC French Bookstore Bonjour Books is the Washington, DC area's French bookstore. We offer 24/7 shopping on www.bonjourbooksdc.com with nationwide shipping.

We are located at 3758 Howard Ave, Kensington, MD -- in the heart of Antique Village--and open to the public six days per week. We stock more than 2500 new and used French-language titles for all ages, resources for French students, gifts for the Francophile, and more!

05/24/2026

Quel beau weekend!! Yesterday, we had a fantastic afternoon hosting author Stanislas Roquette for a meet-and-greet and book signing of his fantastic book, Insuline & Magnolia. He was joined by his colleague, actor Nil Bosca, who is performing at the Maison Française this week! A big thank you to Stanislas and Nil for their time, warmth and generosity, and to the Bonjour Books team for welcoming everyone so well.
As always, our multinational, multilingual community turned out beautifully. The shop was full of great conversations bridging poetry, theater, and psychology, alongside spontaneous read-alouds, language exchanges, and meaningful personal check-ins.
Hier après-midi, nous avons passé un excellent moment en compagnie de l’auteur Stanislas Roquette pour une rencontre et dédicace autour de son livre, Insuline & Magnolia. Il était accompagné de son collègue, l’acteur Nil Bosca, qui joue à la Maison Française cette semaine. Un grand merci à Stanislas et Nil pour leur chaleur et leur générosité, ainsi qu’à toute l’équipe de Bonjour Books pour leur accueil chaleureux.
Comme toujours, notre fidèle communauté multinationale et multilingue a répondu présent. La librairie s’est animée de belles discussions autour de la poésie, du théâtre et de la psychologie, rythmée par des lectures spontanées, des échanges linguistiques et des partages d’expériences touchants.

KensingtonMD LibrairieFrancaise FrenchInDC Bookstagram

05/22/2026

✨ **ÉVÉNEMENT LITTÉRAIRE / LITERARY EVENT** ✨ Books!
🇫🇷 Rejoignez-nous pour une soirée poétique exceptionnelle en compagnie d’Ali Akkache, poète, journaliste et enseignant algéro-américain. Ensemble, nous explorerons ses deux derniers recueils, *La parole du silence* et *Voix pour dire la vie*, un véritable pont entre ses racines algériennes et son parcours aux États-Unis.
🇺🇸 Join us for an exceptional evening of poetry with Ali Akkache, an Algerian-American poet, journalist, and professor. Together, we will explore his two latest collections, *La parole du silence* and *Voix pour dire la vie*, a beautiful bridge connecting his Algerian roots with his thirty-year journey in the US.
💬 **Au programme / What’s on:**
• 🇫🇷 Lecture de poèmes, discussion sur l’exil et la culture amazighe, et séance de dédicaces.
• 🇺🇸 Poetry reading, discussion on exile and Amazigh culture, followed by a book signing.
📅 **Infos pratiques / Details:**
• Thursday, May 28, 2026 | Jeudi 28 mai 2026
• 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | 18h30 – 20h00
• 🗣️ In French. Q&A in English & French!
• 🚗 Free parking / Parking gratuit
🎟️ **RSVP on Eventbrite! Link in bio.** Litterature CultureAmazighe Eventbrite BonjourBooks

Magical memory from nearly one year ago with Madame Christiane Taubira at Bonjour Books DC. Missed it? Continue the dial...
05/21/2026

Magical memory from nearly one year ago with Madame Christiane Taubira at Bonjour Books DC.

Missed it? Continue the dialogue with a copy of Conversation avec Christiane Taubira, on our shelves.
ISBN 9782070476890

05/20/2026

📚✨ Double événement à Washington / A special double event in DC!
We are thrilled to welcome French actor, director, and author Stanislas Roquette to Bonjour Books for a special meet-and-greet and book signing of his deeply moving work, “Insuline & Magnolia”!
👇 Read our bookseller’s review of this vibrant, poetic text in the comments below! / Découvrez notre coup de cœur littéraire en commentaire !
💡Pick up your signed copy this Saturday to be ready for his major evening talk at the Alliance Française on Tuesday, May 26th!
🗓️ YOUR PROGRAM / VOTRE PROGRAMME :
📍 Step 1: Meet-and-Greet & Signing / Dédicace (Free entry / Entrée libre)
📅 Saturday, May 23 / Samedi 23 mai
🕚 11:00 AM – 12:20PM / 11h00 – 12h30
🏢 Bonjour Books DC (Kensington, MD)

📍 Step 2: Lecture / Conférence “Quand la vie bascule...”
📅 Tuesday, May 26 / Mardi 26 mai
🕖 7:00 PM / 19h00
🏢 Alliance Française de Washington DC
Tag a friend who loves French culture, theater, and poetry! 👇
FrenchInDC KensingtonMD LibrairieFrancaise WashingtonDC RencontreLitteraire FrenchTheater Bookstagram

Where does one rest their head once a mother is not there to comfort?” 💔On this Mother’s Day, I’m reflecting on Rachid B...
05/10/2026

Where does one rest their head once a mother is not there to comfort?” 💔

On this Mother’s Day, I’m reflecting on Rachid Benzine’s *Ainsi parlait ma mère*. It is a stunning tribute to a widow who raised five sons as a “bonne.” Despite the chasm of education between them, they find a connection through his voice as he reads Balzac aloud to her—a beautiful weaving of two worlds.

Benzine captures the grit of the immigrant experience and the struggle for dignity. It makes me realize that our society often celebrates “elite” bilingualism, while overlooking the true superpower belonging to those who navigate multiple languages daily to survive. An accent is not a limitation; it is the map of a resilient life. 🗣️✨
A breathtaking read about the strength of mothers and the void they leave behind. Happy Mother’s Day. 💐📚

« Où peut-on reposer sa tête quand une mère n’est plus là pour nous consoler ? » 💔

En ce jour de fête des mères, je repense à *Ainsi parlait ma mère* de Rachid Benzine. Un hommage bouleversant à une femme qui a élevé ses cinq fils en travaillant comme bonne. Un lien magnifique se crée lorsqu’il lui lit du Balzac : un véritable « tissage de vie » entre deux mondes.

Benzine capture la quête de dignité face à une société qui ignore souvent la sagesse des humbles. Cela m’a rappelé que le véritable « superpower » appartient à ceux qui jonglent avec les langues au quotidien pour survivre. Un accent n’est pas une faiblesse, c’est l’empreinte d’une vie résiliente. 🗣️✨

Un récit magnifique sur la force des mères et le vide qu’elles laissent. Bonne fête à toutes. 💐📚

RachidBenzine BonjourBooksDC Francophone ImmigrantStories KensingtonMD Bilingualism

05/09/2026
05/09/2026

✨🎉**TODAY**! Cross the street, not the ocean!

As the DC area’s French bookstore, we are thrilled to participate in this year’s **EU Open House**, hosted *today* at the **French Embassy**! 🇫🇷🇺🇸

For this special celebration of shared history, the French Embassy is bringing you a unique experience: **Two countries, one venue, zero jet lag!** Discover the best of both **France and Germany**, with food, music, and culture in a family-friendly environment. 🇫🇷🇩🇪

📖🌟 **EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:**
🌟 Discover a World of French Literature at our **Special Book Sale**. We have something to captivate the entire family. Stop by to support your local independent French bookstore and say bonjour! 👋

📅 **JOIN US RIGHT NOW:**
Saturday, May 9, 2026
10 AM - 4 PM
📍 French Embassy, Washington D.C. (Google Map)
**ABOUT EU OPEN HOUSE:**ocean!

Celebrated every year on the first Saturday after May 9 (marking the historic Schuman Declaration and Europe Day), the European Union Delegation and 20+ member country embassies in Washington, D.C. open our doors to the public. Normally you have to cross the Atlantic to visit the EU, but at Open House, you just have to cross the street!

This year, we are celebrating **250 years of shared history, ideas, and achievements** between Europe and the United States. Join us and experience this unique moment in transatlantic history.ocean!

DiscoverFrenchLiterature BonjourBooksDC SharedHistory ShopLocalDC 🇪🇺🇫🇷🇩🇪🇺🇸

05/07/2026

The **Night of Ideas** (Nuit des Idées) is a global initiative that invites us to pause and engage with the great questions of our time. This year’s theme, **”Enlightenment Now!”**, explores the legacy of reason, freedom, and progress in the face of modern challenges like AI, climate change, and democratic resilience.
It is an evening of high-level panels, artistic performances, and civic dialogue that brings together thinkers from across the Francophone world. We are incredibly honored to participate and contribute to this vibrant intellectual exchange.
# # # A Special Thank You
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to **Villa Albertine Washington DC** for inviting **Bonjour Books DC** to be a part of this inspiring event. It is a privilege to showcase our curated collection alongside such esteemed partners and to help bridge the cultures of France and the United States through the power of literature.
**See you there!** 👋🇫🇷🇺🇸
# # Event Details Reminder
* **Location:** NYU Washington, DC (1307 L Street NW)
* **Time:** 5:30 PM – 9:30PM
* **Our Table:** Find us for curated selection in French and English inspired by this incredible event!

05/02/2026

✨ MIKA MANIA AT THE SHOP TODAY! ✨
Last night at The Fillmore Silver Spring was absolutely FORMIDABLE! 🎤🌟 Mika brought the energy, the magic, and of course, that one iconic French track that had everyone dancing: “Elle me dit”!
Whether you were there in the front row or you’re feeling the FOMO today, we’ve got you covered. We are keeping the vibes high and the music louder!
🎶 ALL DAY TODAY:
• Mika en français is on repeat in the shop!
• Taking Requests: Got a favorite track? Let us know and we’ll add it to the queue.
• The Vibe: Pair your book browsing with the most uplifting, fun soundtrack in town.
Come say bonjour, browse our latest French arrivals, and let’s keep the concert spirit alive! 📚🇫🇷
✨ MIKA MANIA EN BOUTIQUE ! ✨
Hier soir au Fillmore Silver Spring, c’était tout simplement FORMIDABLE ! 🎤🌟 Mika nous a transportés avec son énergie et son talent, et bien sûr, ce tube incontournable : « Elle me dit » !
Que vous y étiez ou que vous ayez manqué le spectacle, on prolonge la fête aujourd’hui !
🎶 AUJOURD’HUI TOUTE LA JOURNÉE :
• Mika en français tourne en boucle à la librairie !
• On prend vos requêtes : Une chanson préférée ? Dites-le nous et on l’ajoute à la playlist.
• L’ambiance : Feuilletez nos nouveautés francophones au son d’une musique ultra-positive !
Passez nous voir, découvrez nos pépites littéraires et restons dans l’ambiance du concert ! 📚🇫🇷
BonjourBooks LiveMusic BethesdaEvents LibrairieFrancophone

04/19/2026

What an incredible week at the Journées des Libraires Francophones in Paris—and the Festival du Livre!!🇫🇷✨
A global gathering organized by the CNL, France Livre & AILF. It was a privilege to hear from houses like Actes Sud and Gallimard (Madrigall) about their literary lineup, and to meet several superstars:
• Rachid Benzine & Bernard Minier
• Didier Decoin & Jérôme Ferrari
• Hemley Boum & Lilia Hassaine
Honored be there representing the Americas along with Julieta Salgado (Mexico City), and colleagues from Bogotá & São Paulo. 🌍🤝
The best part? Bringing that energy home! 🏠 Hosting our Sunday Book Club on Camus’s Le Premier Homme was the perfect homecoming. ☀️📚 Thanks to Melissa and Sabrina for holding down the fort! Next stop: Dakar! 🇸🇳🗼

Une semaine inspirante aux Journées des Libraires Francophones à Paris ! 🇫🇷✨
Un rassemblement mondial (CNL, France Livre & AILF). Quel privilège d’écouter Actes Sud et Gallimard présenter leur plateau littéraire et de croiser des superstars :
• Rachid Benzine, Bernard Minier, Didier Decoin, Jérôme Ferrari, Hemley Boum & Lilia Hassaine.
Fière de représenter l’équipe AILF Amériques avec nos collègues de Mexico, Bogotá et São Paulo. 🌍🤝
Le plus beau ? Ramener cette énergie à la maison ! 🏠 Accueillir notre club de lecture sur Camus à Kensington était le retour parfait. ☀️📚 Merci à Melissa et Sabrina ! Prochaine étape : Dakar ! 🇸🇳🗼
ParisToDC LiterarySuperstars

Address

3758 Howard Avenue
Kensington, MD

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

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