Spring Break
Galignani: 224, Rue de Rivoli
Portmanteau Texto
Anna Nguyen
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Life & Style
I needed an escape. I had walked out of the boutique that carried tempting glittering treasures. A gold choker featuring a grand sparrow pendant caught my eye. Impulsively, I asked the sales lady if I could try it on. As it nestled on my throat, I looked at the price tag. Eighty-five euros, it read. I had to pass another night at the hotel. Instead, I settled for a black pashmina and a pearl necklace, both priced for five euros. I took the bag from the sales lady, saying "merci" before walking toward the door. As I passed the necklace counter, the placard that displayed the choker was empty. Another placard sat on the right of it; it was the same necklace, in silver.
I continued to walk, passing by many other boutiques with impressive window displays cafes and bistros. I briefly glanced at the window. The word "livres" caught my eye, and I halted my stroll. The architect of the dark wood-paneled bookstore was elegant, and the allure of the books featured in the window display was too great to resist. In fact, I couldn't remember when I had leisurely browsed a bookstore for some good long hours. Therefore, I entered.
Galignani is a venerable bookstore that has been in business since 1810, according to the bookmark. The interior of the bookstore was very old-fashioned. Dark wooden bookshelves carried the weight of the books; some books were shelved high and had a couple of rolling ladders nearby to reach them.
The bookstore carries an impressive stock of both French and English books, and there is a special emphasis on French classics and fine arts. In fact, I browsed through many extensive shelves filled with art books and coffee-table volumes.
The book I perused which contained articles written by a colleague of Coco Chanel, and pays a fond tribute of the designer. The version I was holding was in English, and the topic was enticing.
After placing the book down, I walked further toward the back of the store. My plan was to buy one book at this lovely bookstore, to commemorate it as a souvenir, but I had to be frugal. The book I contemplated purchasing was priced 18 euros, which is about 29 American dollars. I still had to buy dinner for that night, already having skipped lunch and only consuming coffee for breakfast.
I continued to walk, passing by many other boutiques with impressive window displays cafes and bistros. I briefly glanced at the window. The word "livres" caught my eye, and I halted my stroll. The architect of the dark wood-paneled bookstore was elegant, and the allure of the books featured in the window display was too great to resist. In fact, I couldn't remember when I had leisurely browsed a bookstore for some good long hours. Therefore, I entered.
Galignani is a venerable bookstore that has been in business since 1810, according to the bookmark. The interior of the bookstore was very old-fashioned. Dark wooden bookshelves carried the weight of the books; some books were shelved high and had a couple of rolling ladders nearby to reach them.
The bookstore carries an impressive stock of both French and English books, and there is a special emphasis on French classics and fine arts. In fact, I browsed through many extensive shelves filled with art books and coffee-table volumes.
The book I perused which contained articles written by a colleague of Coco Chanel, and pays a fond tribute of the designer. The version I was holding was in English, and the topic was enticing.
After placing the book down, I walked further toward the back of the store. My plan was to buy one book at this lovely bookstore, to commemorate it as a souvenir, but I had to be frugal. The book I contemplated purchasing was priced 18 euros, which is about 29 American dollars. I still had to buy dinner for that night, already having skipped lunch and only consuming coffee for breakfast.
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