Founder of Taiwan's first French bookstore, former NTU professor Francoise Zylberberg, passed away earlier this month at the age of 65. For the past three decades, Zylberberg had been introducing French language and its culture to generations of Taiwanese students. And the bookstore she opened in 1999 has also become an iconic locale for the French-learning community. Even though she is no longer around, employees of the store said that her legacy will surely live on.

This humble and simplistic looking bookstore playing melodic French music is the first French bookstore in Taiwan.

Many French students come here for French literature, CDs, artworks, among other French paraphernalias.

Shoppers have the luxury of listening to CDs on the spot and choosing from a comprehensive collection of resources imported directly from French publishers.

The most prized item in the bookstore is a hardcover bible collection.

Although this collection is pricy and is not exactly on demand by customers in Taiwan, French shop owner Francoise Zylberberg insisted on importing it.

Originally a foriegn language instructor at the National Taiwan University, Zylberberg wanted to bring Taiwan's glory back to her hometown, so she began selling Taiwan postcards in France.

Afterwards, she noticed that Taiwanese students had a hard time obtaining French literature.

As a result, she began selling French literature in Taiwan and acted as a publisher,

publishing French editions of traditional Chinese literature such as The Three Kingdoms and illustrated travel guides for French tourists.

This was all part of Zylberberg's dream of helping the exchange of two different cultures.

In her thirty years in Taiwan, Zylberberg's passion has captivated many Taiwanese people.

Her bookstore was her way of giving back to Taiwanese people who appreciated the French culture.

Zylberberg recently passed away due to illness, but her passion will help this humble French bookstore continue its legacy of fostering the Taiwan-France cultural exchange.