Books For Your Favorite Francophile

Click HERE to buy Paris: Portrait of a City.

Looking for a Valentine's Day gift for your favorite Francophile? If jewelry or dinner in Paris isn't in the budget, books are a wonderful option. The gorgeous photographs transport you to Paris or the French Riviera, if only for a moment.

I received Assouline's Light of Paris for Christmas two years ago. It remains one of my favorite gifts to this very day.

From vintage first editions like "The House in Paris" and Paris street style books to gorgeous coffee table books that are pieces of art and autographed copy of Julia Child's "The French Chef Cookbook", here is a selection of books any Francophile would love.

French-Inspired Cookbooks

French Coffee Table Books 

French Style, Fashion & Lifestyle Books 

The Best Paris Restaurants Right Now

There is something about a meal in great Paris restaurant: the server's expertise, {relatively} affordable wine, appropriately-sized portions, fresh ingredients. I also appreciate that you can get a quality three-course lunch for about €25 (I generally go with the plat du jour).

Everyone has a different list of Paris restaurants that you "must try". Friends constantly ask me about my favorites when planning a visit to the French capital. Condé Nast Traveler has compiled a list of the 50 Best Paris Restaurants for 2015 and a few of my favorites, both old and new, made the cut.

Here are some of my favorite Paris restaurants 

from Conde Nast Traveler's 50 Best Paris Restaurants list:

What's The First Fun Thing You Do When You Arrive In Paris?

Picture taken on top of the Arc de Triomphe, 2010

Landing at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport brings such excitement and exhilaration after a long flight. That can quickly fade after waiting to get through customs, using the restroom, getting cash at the ATM, ordering generic coffee at the mini-café at Charles de Gaulle (you know the one), searching for your luggage at baggage claim and fighting traffic into Paris' city center. Ugh.

That's a general plan of attack for anyone who is fresh off an international flight to Paris. But once you get into the city, the fun begins.

Once you finally get settled in Paris, 
what's the first fun thing you like to do? 

Vintage Paris: Porte Saint-Martin

Port Saint-Martin, circa 1936

The Porte Saint-Martin is a Parisian monument located at the site of one of the gates of the now-destroyed fortifications of Paris. It is located at the crossing of Rue Saint-Martin, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin and the grands boulevards Boulevard Saint-Martin and Boulevard Saint-Denis. The Porte Saint-Martin was designed by architect Pierre Bullet at the order of Louis XIV in honor of his victories on the Rhine and in Franche-Comté. Built in 1674, it replaced a medieval gate in the city walls built by Charles V. It was restored in 1988.

Bring your love of France into your home.

Chic French-Inspired Finds For Your Home

Click on any item to learn more about it. 

French-inspired home decor works with just about any interior design theme. We personally love a curated selection of small French-themed objects like a tray or fun coasters. We also adore maps which never go out of style.

What's Your Favorite Paris Hotel?

The Points Guy reviews the Westin Paris and love it. Do you have a favorite Paris hotel? Let us know in the comments section! Hotel Review: The Surprisingly Awesome Westin Paris-Vendôme. http://ow.ly/NUWId

Posted by Fab French Finds on Friday, June 5, 2015

The Points Guy recently reviewed the Westin Paris-Vendôme and adored it, calling it "truly awesome". Personally, I like larger chain hotels when I visit Paris because the rooms tend to be a bit more American in size (meaning bigger). You can also use points from your U.S. hotel stays at them and they don't cost a fortune. At last check, Expedia had the Westin Paris-Vendôme priced at about $363. Yes, that's a lot but it's not crazy for Paris.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Pavillon de la Reine's vibe and chic charm but the rooms are minuscule.

Learn More About Paris' Secret River, La Bièvre

Vintage Paris postcard depicting la Bièvre

You know about Paris' legendary Siene river which cuts its way through the French capital and separates the Left Bank from the Right Bank. Did you know Paris has another river?

Oui. La Bièvre. In it translates to...wait for it...Beaver River. Oui.