5 Books Every Francophile Should Have on Their Bedside Table

I’ve been a Francophile ever since my mother bought me my first beret, it was red and I’ve been looking for a new one in the perfect shade of rouge since then. (Although I love the baby pink one I picked up from Topshop late last year!)

While I still haven’t been to Paris (it’s on my list!) I read every book I can get my hands on about the magical City of Lights and dream of the day when I can sit in a cafe and watch the Parisians as they go about their daily lives or perhaps have a picnic overlooking with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower.

If you love all things French too, I’ve put together a little list of 5 Books Every Francophile should have on their bedside table. One of the books by one of my favorite illustrators, Anne Keenan Higgins isn’t out till November, but you know I already have it on pre-order!

Paris in Bloom | Georgianna Lane

This book by photographer Georgianna Lane, is full of the most gorgeous photographs of Paris in the springtime. I keep it on my bedside table at all times and frequently flip through its pages to see the beautiful gardens and flower markets of Paris that I hope to see for myself someday. Georgianna is also the photographer for the books Dahlias: Beautiful Varieties for Home & Garden and Vintage Roses: Beautiful Varieties for Home & Garden.

Paris in Stride: An Insider’s Walking Guide | Jessie Kanelos Weiner & Sarah Moroz

This is the ultimate illustrated guide to go to see Parisians in their element, and enjoy your time in Paris like a true Parisian. The book is beautifully illustrated by Jessie Kanelos Weiner.

Finally, the “must-do, must-visit, must-see” travel list given to you by the Parisian friend you’ve been longing to have. Charmingly illustrated throughout, this practical guide will transport readers to the delightful sites and discoveries of Paris. Vibrant watercolors illustrate destinations including architectural marvels, gardens, historical highlights, cultural hubs, markets, food and wine favorites, and lots of little “je ne sais quoi’s” that make Paris so magical. Cultural musings, accessible histories, anecdotes, and informative details accompany the illustrations throughout, making this volume truly as practical as it is beautiful.

Paris in Color | Nichole Robertson

I first discovered photographer Nichole Robertson through her Etsy shop where she sells prints of her beautiful photographs of Paris, and I’ve been a fan ever since. I have a copy of her Paris Journal Vol. 1 and two of the tote bags from her website she founded along with her husband, Obvious State. My favorite one has the phrase,

Tout sonne mieux en français, n’est-ce pas? — Everything sounds better in french, doesn’t it?

A Paris Year | Janice MacLeod

Part memoir and part visual journey through the streets of modern-day Paris, France, A Paris Year chronicles, day by day, one woman’s French sojourn in the world’s most beautiful city. Beginning on her first day in Paris, Janice MacLeod, the author of the best-selling book, Paris Letters, began a journal recording in illustrations and words, nearly every sight, smell, taste, and thought she experienced in the City of Light. The end result is more than a diary: it’s a detailed and colorful love letter to one of the most romantic and historically rich cities on earth. Combining personal observations and anecdotes with stories and facts about famous figures in Parisian history, this visual tale of discovery, through the eyes of an artist, is sure to delight, inspire, and charm.

Le Cinema Francais: An Illustrated Guide to the Best of French Films | Anne Keenan Higgins

Starring the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, and Jeanne Moreau, and directed by iconoclasts such as Francois Truffaut, Eric Rohmer, and Jean-Luc Godard, French movies are as touching, beautiful, and romantic as they come in all of film. Le Cinéma Français captures their spirit in whimsical detail. Each movie is covered with a plot summary; back stories; and illustrations by author/artist Anne Keenan Higgins of highlight scenes, costumes, props, and characters that are as enchanting as the films themselves.

This gorgeously gifty tribute to French cinema is not just for movie buffs or followers of international films, but for all who are enchanted by French culture.