Our Favorite French Retail and Culture Destinations in Montclair, NJ

Now that you’ve sampled the delectable cuisine from our list of Montclair’s best French food, we’re diving into part two of our curated French-centric eating and shopping guide, which includes all our favorite local French-inspired spots to shop and immerse yourself in francophone arts. The next time you’re at L’Alliance New York’s Montclair Campus to take language classes or drop your kiddo off for preschool, check out a few of these beloved French retail and culture destinations in Montclair.

Shopping

• Watchung Booksellers
  • We love to support our local independent bookshops, and this spot, set off by arched windows and brick walls, is especially cozy, though its selection is expansive—it even has a separate Kids’ Room space down the street where L’Alliance recently hosted a reading by French author Marie Darrieussecq. Shop French picks in store, including The French Ingredient, I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself, and Forgotten on Sunday.
• Grape Collective
  • This beloved local bottle shop has a robust French wine selection, including Sancerre, Champagne, and Bordeaux. Not sure what to pick to pair with your coq au vin or boeuf bourguignon? Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will lead you to the right wine!
• Parcel
  • This is a curiosity shop in the guise of a stationery shop, filled to the brim with antique knick knacks, house-made notebooks featuring vintage paper, and a dizzying array of hand-picked trims, decorations, ornaments, treasures, and so much more. It feels like stepping into the most whimsical of French brocantes.
• Montclair Farmers’ Market
  • The French set their clocks by their weekly marché fermier, and their cooking is a reflection of that fact—always featuring the freshest, most local and in-season goods. Support area farmers and pick up ingredients to make your favorite French meal.
• Dot Reeder
  • French style is all about simple, classic, high-quality basics—and this clothing boutique has that in spades. From sleek sweaters to well-cut pants to statement gold jewelry, you’ll find everything you need to embody the Parisian aesthetic.

Culture

• Van Vleck House & Gardens
  • Strolling the lush, expertly-manicured grounds of this 12-acre, 140-year-old private estate will immediately transport you to the French countryside. The gardens are open to the public 365 days a year—and L’Alliance sometimes hosts parties at the locale (most recently, for Bastille Day).
• The Clairidge
  • This newly-renovated century-old theater hosts a nonprofit cinema, which shows a small selection of both big blockbusters and independent films. Their slate often includes foreign films, so keep an eye out for the next critically-lauded French release.
• Montclair Film Festival
  • This highly-anticipated film festival takes place each October, and gathers celebrities and avid moviegoers for over a week of screenings, Q&As, and other special events. The festival emphasizes global creators, with both American-made and international releases included. Stay tuned for their 2024 lineup, which may just feature a French entry or two.

If you’re not already enamored with the town, these French retail and culture destinations in Montclair should seal the deal. Stay up to date on our various language class offerings and events at the Montclair campus so you have every excuse to return! Plus, when you become a L’Alliance New York member, you’ll get special benefits and prices at both our Manhattan and Montclair campuses.

Photo: Bastille Day 2024 in Montclair ©️Samia_Pendleton