Looking for the perfect gift for the Francophile in your life? Here are a few French-inspired gifts, organized by interest, to guide your search. From cookbooks to art supplies to the perfect red lipstick, I have you covered. Best of all, most of these items can be ordered on Amazon with 2-day shipping for quick and convenient gifting. Happy shopping!
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For the Artist
Paint by Numbers Kit
Paint by numbers kits are back, and there are no shortage of options available to aspiring artists. I personally love this set, which features colorful French market stalls in front of the Eiffel Tower. Paint by number kits offer the chance to relax and unwind for a while, plus the finished piece makes impressive artwork in the owner’s home! For an extra cozy touch, pair with a bottle of French wine.
Artist’s Easel
Elevate your favorite artist’s game and allow them to indulge their inner Monet with a portable full-size easel. This one features adjustable legs and work surface, a storage drawer for paint and brushes, and a fine leather handle and portable design for easy carrying from field to studio.
Classic Wool Beret
Tip your hat to the artist with a classic wool beret. This one comes in 15 colors and is paired with a mystery silk scarf and pin for a fun element of surprise!
Van Gogh Coloring Book
Like the paint by numbers kit, this coloring book offers a fun way to relax. Artists can attempt to emulate Van Gogh’s paintings or get creative with their own color palettes. Pair with this pack of 50 coloring pencils for a complete gift.
Impressionism Art Book
This massive art book from the “Basic Art” series explores the lives and works of ten prominent artists of the Impressionist period. With over 1,000 pages of text and full-page art, this volume focuses on Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Rousseau, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautrec, and van Gogh.
For the Homebody
Bonjour Door Mat
Welcome guests with a friendly bonjour at the door! When it’s time to leave, dit au revoir!
Paris in Bloom Photo Book
I’m a sucker for any France-themed coffee table book, but I am especially in love with this this one by Georgianna Lane. Lane’s signature dreamy, bright, pastel-hued style marks photos of parks, storefronts, bouquets and more for a gorgeous pairing of city and nature. It’s the stuff of Parisian dreams, and a must-have for any Francophile’s coffee table.
L’Occitane Lavender Bath Foam
Treat someone to a full-on pampering session with this luxurious bath foam from l’Occitane. Try classic scents like Rose, Lavender, or Verbena, or browse all fragrances here. For a seriously sweet treat, consider pairing this bath soak with a body scrub, oil, or body cream.
Homesick Candle: France
Remind them of their favorite place with the power of fragrance. Try the France-scented candle, which smells like, “buttery croissants served en terrasse, paired with un café au lait. The bustling energy of the streets with faint touches of tobacco and lavender.”
Paris Window Wall Art
Fake a view into the City of Light with this convincing canvas wall art, which mimics a Parisian apartment view of the Eiffel Tower and city rooftops.
Anthropologie Tiled Margot Monogram Mug
This entire tile collection from Anthropologie is too cute! They have an “a la mode” pie dish, tiled measuring cups, wall hooks, and more. These mugs are my favorite part of the collection, though, and at just $12 each, they make an affordable and fun little gift. See the full collection here.
For the Entertainer
Petanque Set
Bring this classic French yard game home with a set of petanque balls! in the game, a small ball is tossed on the ground. The goal is to toss your metal balls closest to the target. It’s simple and fun and anyone can play. I imagine it’s extra fun after a drink or two, which brings me to my next gift idea…
Wine or Champagne
Who doesn’t love a quality bottle of champagne? Wine is a go-to hostess gift for a reason, and champagne brings the party. I’m no wine expert, so check out this article on the best French wines for suggestions.
La Rochere Wine Glasses
Elevate any table setting with these classic, elegant wine glasses. The glass comes from the oldest continuously-running glass factory in France. The style makes me think of dinner at my French grandparents’ house, with pre-dinner aperitifs followed by plenty of wine with dinner.
French Cheese or Charcuterie Board
A cheese or charcuterie board makes for a thoughtful and delicious gift. Here in Orlando, La Femme du Fromage makes a killer cheese and charcuterie board. You can even order ahead and take home a beautifully-packaged party box—perfect for handing off as a pre-wrapped gift!
French Music
Every party needs a great soundtrack. Why not gift some French music to jazz up somebody’s music library? Play it safe with classic French lounge songs for a slow, lazy morning, or branch out with current French pop tunes. Go old-school with a French record for a truly unique and nostalgic gift.
Espresso Machine
Every Francophile knows that the best way to finish a meal is with dessert and coffee. Wrap up a dinner party with a round of espresso shots and mini desserts (homemade macarons, perhaps?) for a sweet finish. This one is only $99.95, a steal of a price for an automated espresso machine that can also make lattes and cappuccinos.
For the Chef
These gifts are perfect for chefs, foodies, and anyone who likes to get creative in the kitchen. In my opinion, anything associated with French food makes for a killer gift. Here are some of my favorite food-related gifts.
Crêpe Pan
Simple. Classic. A crêpe pan is perfect for preparing lazy weekend breakfasts and snacks à la maison. If you’re looking for an introductory French foodie gift that keeps on giving, this is a great place to start.
Macaron Baking Mats
French macarons are a notoriously tricky treat to master. Take some of the guesswork out of the process with a silicone macaron baking mat. The mat is marked with little circles to guide the formation of the cookie shells and help create perfectly uniform little rounds. This macaron baking set comes with reusable piping bags and tips, a cleaning brush, silicone mats, and a helpful mini guide to creating perfect macarons.
Pierre Hermé Macaron: The Ultimate Recipes from the Master Pâtissier
The perfect companion piece to the macaron sheet, of course, is a macaron cookbook. Who better to lead the way than famed pâtissier Pierre Hermé, whose recipes are sold in shops around the world? Sample recipes from this cookbook include classics, like chocolate or raspberry, as well as more creative pairings like Isfahan with lychee, rose and raspberry, or Arabesque with apricot and pistachio.
More French Dessert Cookbooks:
- Ladurée: The Sweet Recipes: Go beyond macarons with this cookbook from another famed Parisian pastry house. This cookbook contains recipes for macarons as well as several other sweet treats, such Strawberry Cake with Rose Choux Pastry or Pistachio Financiers, that you might find in Ladurée’s Parisian shops.
- Le Cordon Bleu Pastry School: 101 Step-by-Step Recipes: master everything from apple strudel to Tart Tatin with this step-by-step cookbook, featuring over 1,400 photographs to guide novice and experienced bakers alike.
- French Pastry 101: This fabulous beginner-friendly cookbook features classic French desserts like Madeleines, Crème Brûlée, and Éclairs. Recipes can be made from scratch, or, in some cases, simplified with recipe hacks like using puff pastry in place of homemade pastry dough. The result? Delicious, simplified French desserts that don’t skimp on taste.
My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories
This cookbook from famed author and chef David Lebovitz goes beyond traditional French cooking to encompass the many flavors of Paris. It includes recipes for classic dishes such as as coq au vin and onion soup alongside Parisian favorites like lamb tagine and Dukkah-roasted cauliflower. Don’t miss the dessert section! This cookbook contains sweet and savory recipes alongside stories from Lebovitz’s time living in Paris.
More French Cookbooks:
- Mastering the Art of French Cooking: classic French recipes from Julia Child (2-volume set)
- French Cooking for Beginners: 75+ Classic Recipes to Cook Like a Parisian: classic French recipes and beginner’s tips on everything from French wines to mastering the soufflé
- In the French Kitchen with Kids: Easy, Everyday Dishes for the Whole Family to Make and Enjoy: simple and delicious recipes for everyone to enjoy, from Croque-Monsieurs to Profiteroles
- The French Slow Cooker: This cookbook goes beyond basic stews and soups to include impossible-sounding slow cooker dishes like Crispy Duck Confit, Spinach Soufflé, and Ginger Crème Brûlée. Admit it. You’re curious.
For the Beauty Queen
French Perfume
France is home to many classic perfume houses. From the iconic, sultry fragrance of Chanel No. 5 to the fresh scent of Miss Dior, there is a French perfume for everyone. This is a gift the recipient will remember for a long time, and think of its giver every time they spritz the bottle.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
With so many luxurious French skincare items to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin! Choose items that are suited for all skin types, and when in doubt, go with a gift set that contains smaller sizes of several products. One of my favorite luxury items is this beauty elixir facial mist from Caudalie. It refreshes makeup, provides a nice cooling burst, and is said to brighten skin, boost radiance, and tighten pores. It’s the perfect thing to stash in a purse for a hot summer day here in Florida. Buy the full size version here, or opt for a 1 ounce travel version by itself or as part of a Caudalie favorites kit.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation
This award-winning foundation from Lancôme, one of the best-known French beauty houses, is loved for its superior coverage and light, airbrushed finish that looks and feels as natural as bare skin. Best of all, it comes in 50 shades, so almost anyone can find their perfect fit within the range. See all the colors here.
T. LeClerc Loose Facial Powder – Banane
This finishing powder is a French beauty staple, beloved for the velvety matte finish it leaves on the skin. This is perfect for beauty junkies seeking the mythical effortless Parisian look. Just swipe on some concealer, lipstick, and mascara, and finish with this powder for a chic, effortless look.
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick
A lipstick from Chanel, the quintessential French luxury brand, is a fabulous gift for the any Francophile beauty queen. Go for a classic red lip, or perhaps a more natural pink-neutral to pair with a smoky eye look. Try the Chanel Velvet Extreme in Pivoine Noire for a classic matte red lip.
For the Gourmet
Gourmet Macaron Gift Box
This set of 12 delicious macarons makes an easy last-minute gift with 2-day shipping. Choose from a pack of 6, 12, 24, or 48 macarons in various themed boxes. The classic box includes flavors like Earl Grey, Pistachio Cream, Raspberry Vanilla, and Affogato.
Mariage Freres Tea
Give the gift of a warm cup of tea from of France’s oldest teahouses. The packaging is beautiful and ready for gifting. Choose from a variety of dreamy flavors like Vanille des Iles, Vert Provence, and Black Orchid.
l’Abeille Occitane Honey
A perfect companion for a cup of tea is this luxurious French honey from Provence. The bees and their hives are placed close to the flowering fields of the countryside, and the honey they create comes directly from this sunny region in Southern France. Choose from flavors like Lavender, Orange Blossom, and Provence Flowers.
Aux Anysetiers du Roy Herbes de Provence
This mixture of Provencal herbs is imported directly from France. It is comprised of thyme, basil, savory, fennel, and lavender flowers. Purchase it in a adorable country crock for the most visual impact. Buy it in a 1 ounce, 5 ounce, or refill container.
Of course, there are far more delicious treats that cannot be purchased in the U.S. Click here to read about more delicious foodie gifts that can be purchased in Paris.
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