Does the shimmery holiday season leave you longing for a vacation in the City of Light? Take a look at these French-themed books and podcasts that will have you saying au revoir to your regular commute and bonjour to a relaxing sojourn in Europe’s most glamorous capital.
On Your Kindle
Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate), by Amy Thomas
Thomas’ memoir of her year in France as a copywriter for Louis Vuitton is actually more about dessert than fashion. Thomas is the long-time author of a desserts-focused blog called “Sweet Freak,” and you’ll swoon as she describes Ladurée’s famous treats and her own funny attempts at an independent life and romance in Paris.
On a Smartphone
“Paris Breakfasts,” by Carol Gillott
Gillott is a watercolorist and traveler obsessed with all things French, and her photo-heavy blog examines quirky Parisian trends with an emphasis on food and fashion. Visiting her blog is like window-shopping: You could spend hours gazing at her photos of Parisian shop displays and Gillott’s own paintings.
On a Podcast
“Tranquility du Jour,” by Kimberly Wilson
Wilson’s French-themed website centers on lifestyle improvement and succeeding at business without compromising your values—with an emphasis on yoga, creativity, and healthy eating. It’s a must for any busy, French-adoring young woman. On her podcast, she regularly interviews authors, artists, and lifestyle experts with ties to French culture.
Old School
Paris Was Ours, edited by Penelope Rowlands
This collection of 30 expatriate essays contains all the Paris highlights you’d imagine from the “world capital of memory and desire.” Featuring luminaries like Edmund Wilson and Diane Johnson, plus bittersweet and humorous essays from lesser-known female writers like Cuban exile Zoe Valdes, Paris Was Ours is more diverse than many essay collections. When Valdes describes her fear at being transferred to Paris as punishment, or Iranian-born writer Roxane Farmanfarmaian escapes the revolution for Paris, you’ll explore the city from perspectives you never imagined.
Photo courtesy of Francisco Osorio.
