Best Books for Francophiles

One glance at my library and it’s easy to see, I’m a bit of a Francophile. Since my first trip to Paris at fourteen I’ve been enamored with all things French. I can’t help myself–I love their language, their cheese, their style! The French are such fascinating, resilient people. They live life fully and without apology, “joie de vivre” indeed. I thought it would be fun to compile a list of French-inspired books on my shelf (and a few on my wish list). Do you love them as well? What am I missing?

1. Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes – I absolutely adored reading Elizabeth’s adventures in Paris. I can’t cook so I skipped the recipes. // 2. How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits – French model and street style star Caroline de Maigret is one of the authors so you know this book is impossibly cool. I loved its at times tongue-in-cheek advice. // 3. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange – penned by the French style god and former muse of Yves Saint Laurent, this book is packed with practical advice and outlines some of Fressange’s favorite Parisian haunts. // 4. My Life in France – Julia Child’s classic read will have you on the next flight to Paris. Seeing the country through her eyes is such a treat. // 5. The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World’s Most Glorious and Perplexing City – I’ve yet to read this one! It has amazing reviews. Next on my list. // 6. Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic – filled with images of real Parisians strutting the streets in their impossibly cool way. Wish I could pin every image. // 7. The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris – David McCullough tells the story of the great migration of American artists, doctors, politicians, and writers (such as Mark Twain) to Paris between 1830 and 1900. A page-turning work of historical non-fiction. // 8. Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris – cute and practical, this guide shares tips based on advice from the American author’s French host mother. If you ever studied abroad in France you will relate. // 9. Stuff Parisians Like: Discovering the Quoi in the Je Ne Sais Quoi – This hysterical book celebrates a wide variety of things Parisians love such as sushi, Converse, and Robert Doisneau. Written by a clever Parisian, it provides an insider’s look at the inhabitants of the City of Lights. // 10. At Home with Madame Chic: Becoming a Connoisseur of Daily Life – The follow-up to Scott’s wildly successful first book. This time she compiles her French host mother’s advice for “la maison.” // 11. Mastering the Art of French Eating: From Paris Bistros to Farmhouse Kitchens, Lessons in Food and Love – If you love food and you love the French this book is the answer to your souffle-loving heart. An extremely fun read for foodies and non-foodies alike. // 12. Paris: An Inspiring Tour of the City’s Creative Heart – a travel guide written specifically for fashion and design lovers like you and me. //

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