Many French clothing brand finds to help accentuate your fall capsule wardrobe, a new art exhibit about Paris and sport, books about the French culture – novels and history as well as cookbooks just to name a few of the genres, cooking supplies made in France, a tote to take with you to the market that will no doubt make people smile, the oldest French tea company and they ship internationally! As well as a few finds that aren’t French-inspired but fit in perfectly due to being centered around what is often celebrated and treasured by the French. And of course, there is much more. 🙂

Art Exhibits

—Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body Exhibit

If you find yourself in England this late summer or fall, perhaps this exhibit in Cambridge would be of interest. Opening earlier this year and running through November 3rd at the Fitzwilliam Museum, “explore how the modernist culture of Paris shaped the future of sport and the Olympic Games we know and love today.

“Through art, fashion, film, photography and more, Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body looks back on the pivotal moment when traditions and trailblazers collided, fusing the Olympics’ classical legacy with the European avant-garde spirit. It was a breakthrough that forever changed attitudes towards sporting achievement and celebrity, as well as body image and identity, nationalism and class, race and gender.”

Books

—How the French Think: An Affectionate Portrait of an Intellectual People by Sudhir Hazareesingh 

After sharing in the post earlier this week ideas for how savoring the French culture we love when we cannot be there by reading books about the culture (one of seven ideas), this book seemed quite apropos and one I think you might quite enjoy. Published in 2015 by the internationally-renowned historian Sudhir Hazareesingh, in How the French Think, he “tells the epic and tumultuous story of French intellectual thought from Descartes, Rousseau, and Auguste Comte to Sartre, and Derrida. He shows how French thinking has shaped fundamental Westerns ideas about freedom, rationality, and justice, and how the French mind-set is intimately connected to their own way of life-in particular to the French tendency towards individualism, their passion for nature, their celebration of their historical heritage, and their fascination with death.

“Hazareesingh explores the French veneration of dissent and skepticism, from Voltaire to the Dreyfus Affair and beyond; the obsession with the protection of French language and culture; the rhetorical flair embodied by the philosophes, which today’s intellectuals still try to recapture; the astonishing influence of French postmodern thinkers, including Foucault and Barthes, on postwar American education and life, and also the growing French anxiety about a globalized world order under American hegemony.”

“Sweep[ing] aside generalizations and easy stereotypes, How the French Think offer[s] an incisive and revealing exploration of the French intellectual tradition. Steeped in a colorful range of sources, and written with warmth and humor, this book will appeal to all lovers of France and of European culture.”

—Iris Apfel: Colorful by Iris Apfel

The world and especially the fashion world said goodbye to Iris Apfel earlier this year on March 1st, but before she left us, in the summer of 2023, as she “welcomed her 102nd birthday, she put pen to paper to write this very special project, which Iris called her legacy book”.

From Apfel, “This is not a book of secrets—I have no secrets. Sorry to disappoint if that’s what you’re looking for. I have some good stories, though. And a few ideas. This book is about living, creating, and color. Because creativity and color matter. I don’t want you to dress like me or think like me—that’s not the idea of this book. I want you to find the colors, confidence, and creative inspiration that reflect you. My life has been filled with love, wonder, and a very deep, incurable curiosity. This book is my treasure trove of inspiration, influences, and ideas: My source. Be brave. Find your source. What makes you happy? —Much love, Iris x”

Being released on August 20th, Colorful contains more than 300 personal photos and is adorned with beautiful, unseen fabric patterns from Iris’s Old World Weaver’s collection.

—There are Rivers in the Sky: A Novel by Elif Shafak

Also being released on August 20th, from a Booker award finalist for a previously published book, Elif Shafak’s new novel There are Rivers in the Sky. Intertwining multiple stories over the course of centuries, and all by the drops accumulated in the rivers Tigris and the Thames, Shafak reminds readers how while people might forget, water remembers as he aspires to remind of the preciousness of water through “following the lifespan of a raindrop, as it is consumed, subsumed and transformed across continents and centuries”. Read The Guardian‘s review here.

British Inspired

—Dayleford’s Merci Basket

We are marrying our love of the French and British culture with this one, because while available in the British shop Dayleford, these totes are all about being a Francophile. Isn’ this one fun? Perfect for a trip to the market. Daylesford also sells a few other baskets with different French words – Amour and Bisous, as well as other basket styles – shop them all here.

Cookbooks

—Recettes Pour Un Ami by Jean Cocteau et Raymond Oliver

I recently saw this cookbook in a tour of a Provençal home on IG, and began searching with determination to find it. Recettes Pour Un Ami is a reprint of a book originally published back in 1964, and as you can see an original book goes for quite a pretty penny (or more than three thousand pennies) . This new printing, while entirely in French “bears witness to Jean Cocteau’s gratitude and also his admiration for Raymond Oliver, chef of the Grand Véfour. Jean Cocteau had taken the habit of having lunch in the famous restaurant of the Palais Royal, when he stayed on rue de Montpensier”.

As you can see from the collage that contains the book at the top of today’s post, it is now beautifully bound in brilliant deep red cover and contains inside what you would find in the original — 30 drawings and nearly 60 recipes written with delicacy many tributes from Raymond Oliver to his friend Jean Cocteau”.

—Taste the World in Marseille: A Cookbook by Vérane Frédiani 

I happened to catch the interview with the author, Vérane Frédiani who compiled the recipes and conversations of all of the different fares of cuisine that one can find in Marseille in the new cookbook released last year, Taste the World in Marseille. Including full color illustrations throughout, many have described the book itself as a feast.

“Marseille native and gourmand Vérane Frédiani captures a portrait of a city through its food and culinary figures. With 70 recipes that include pizza, couscous, seafood, and much more, Taste the World in Marseille offers something for every kind of food lover, and brings the city’s gastronomical recognition, cosmopolitan vibrancy, and remarkable history to readers living outside of its most iconic neighborhoods”. (Listen/Read to an interview with the author by NPR’s Scott Simon that aired this past July here.)

Francophile Finds

—A Breath of French Air: A Novel by H. E. Bates

Originally published in 1959, A Breath of French Air has been republished and looks to be a fun and full of hilarity read. Involving a British family who takes a French holiday inspired by the husband’s childhood memories of visiting Brittany (which were fondly cherished), they arrive in the village of St. Pierre le Port and their experience is quite different from what he remembers his had been so many years ago.

If you are looking for a light-hearted read that involves the French culture as well as the vacationing outsiders’ hopes of what they will find when they visit, then this just might be the book for you. 🙂

—Compagnie & Co Teas (Thés)

I love a good French tea, and as I had not tried France’s oldest tea company, Compagnie & Co., I decided that that had to change. “Founded in 1848 in Paris at 19 Avenue de l’Opéra, which remained the brand’s emblematic store for many years, Compagnie & Co first made a name for itself for the quality of its chocolate. By the end of the 19th century, the company took an interest in another trade : tea and became a reference in the world of luxury French teas”.

Discover all sorts of varietals and options of loose tea or tea in sachets. Their Thé Vert au Jasmin is en route to Le Papillon, and I cannot wait to try it.

—Olive & Branch Champagne Dreams Paris Tour, Spring 2025

Long time friend of TSLL, Pam Plançon, owner of Olive and Branch, is a francophile at heart and passionate about connecting women through their love affair with France…whether through books and her monthly Francophile Book Club, products for the home, table and body or through women-only luxury trips to France. She curates a handful of trips each year to her adopted country and one of her popular Champagne Dreams Paris trip in May 2025 only has a few spots left with each of the other trips sold out already.

Spring is the perfect time to be in Paris. The flowers are blooming, the weather is milder and there is a sense of renewal in the air. Curated for women who love Paris, this trip will take you deeper into unique Parisian experiences and behind the scenes with everyday Parisians. All of the details have been taken care of – guests will be able to enjoy all that Paris has to offer without having to do all the planning. Visit OliveandBranch.com for more information and to book your spot.

Here is what some of the ladies have said about her trips:

• “This trip was a rich and most memorable experience and Pam created it with style and flair.”
• “…a wonderful, flawless multidimensional adventure in Paris. Really I felt quite at home in Paris with an affable group and intro to dynamic friends who now live there.”
• “Every lunch and dinner was at an excellent restaurant where wine and champagne flowed. We even had a few hours each day to follow our own muses and make our own discoveries.”

—Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment by Sylvie Patry and Anne Robbins

The Impressionist Movement has been the talk of the art world this year and for good reason as it is the 150 anniversary of their work first being introduced to the world, which took place in Paris. This new book, Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment released earlier this year from The National Gallery of Art in Washington, “draws on new scholarship to offer a multidisciplinary approach to impressionism. It explores the important role played by the contemporary press and also contextualizes the movement in relation to the devastation of the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune, as well as the subsequent process of reconstruction.

“Above all, it challenges established narratives surrounding the origins of impressionism itself by reexamining its position within the larger artistic landscape, particularly in relation to the Salon—which exhibited works strikingly similar to those included in société anonyme’s exhibition. With an engaging design that uses motifs from archival materials to suggest the look of Parisian publications of the 1870s, this book is a handsome and compelling addition to our understanding of the dawn of impressionism and why it is considered a pivotal moment in the history of Western art.”

If you are an art lover and especially if you too are most curious about the Impressionists, this is a book to add to your library.

—Poilâne Cookie Tin

Perhaps you have been to Paris and visited one of the favorite, world-renowned bakeries, Poilâne? And if you have, you likely have tried one of their simple, yet quite satiating ‘punishment’ Punitions shortbread biscuits. Well, what a fantastic souvenir find is this? Poilâne’s very own cookie/biscuit tin. While usually you can buy their punition biscuits online as they ship around the world, they are temporarily out of stock, but their cookie tin is not, so maybe purchase it online or keep in mind that you can pick one up when you visit Paris next time. 🙂

Shopping

—Bonanza Paris Boucles d’oreilles Teles

Pearls but with a modern touch, and from a French company no less.

—Le Panier Français

An online French market place in the US! Yep, if you have a favorite French brand of food or home good, you might just be able to find it at Le Panier Français. I have spotlighted a few of the many items below, but be sure to explore their entire site.

—La Rosæ Paris, Le Saturnin, long minimalist trench coat

A French clothing brand, this slightly longer than a typical trench coat is very minimalist, lined beautifully and will carry you through fall into a mild winter.

—Provençal Ceramic Oil Cruet, Maison Empereur

A staple in the kitchen is having the olive oil handy, and these stylish cruets make it all the more pleasurable to cook as what you need to do so is handy and your kitchen looks great as well!

—Rouje Paris Rosanne Double Indigo Denim Wrap Midi Dress, on sale

From French clothing brand Rouje, their denim wrap dress is both classic, yet modern and while you could easily add a belt, or have a tailor suit it perfectly to your waist, this dress, with its midi length, will be in style for many summers to come.

—Sessùn Vallina Top and Adyo Skirt

At first I saw this outfit and I thought it was one piece. Then I realized it was two items, but I do think they would pair lovely with each other creating a monochromatic look that streamlines the silhouette and elongating one’s frame. The top is short, but with the blouson fitting and elastic around the waist would be both comfortable and timeless so long as the waist of the skirt chosen (also with elastic) hits where you are most comfortable. Made of viscose, this outfit will take you into an early fall comfortably and with great versatility.

—Sessùn Hikaru milk leather loafers (black also available)

Another French clothing brand, Sessùn’s modern take on the classic loafer will give you height, but also stability, and in this light colored neutral hue, be a shoe to wear for spring and early fall.

—Souer Serena Cap (multiple colors)

I am always looking for a stylish cap, and when I saw this one from French clothing brand Souer, I wanted to share. Made of light wool, not only will you protect your face from any sunshine should it be out and warming the earth during the autumn and winter seasons, but it will keep your head warm as well during the chilly days.

—Le Tricoteur 100% Guernsey wool sweaters

Does anyone else want to visit the island of Guernsey? Well, I will meet you there! And one of the companies that draws inspiration and textile from the island of Guernsey is Le Tricoteur. Their sweaters are timeless, sturdy and made to last.

The Aran, unisex, traditional Guernsey jumper (many colors available, and stripes too) is where I would begin, but be sure to explore the entire site. What makes the Guernsey sweaters so reliable, having been made since the 17th century, is the use of worsted wool which makes them “extra durable and super weather resistant, springing back into shape after washing or a good soaking in a storm, so pulling on an authentic guernsey is wearing a piece of living history”. Learn more about the history of this iconic sweater here.

Television

—Under the Vines, season 3, AcornTV

While not a French series and not even based in France, we are talking about wine, and so I didn’t want you to miss out on the return of a fun series set in New Zealand that stars a wonderfully likable cast, Under the Vines. Returning on Monday August 19th, tune in to AcornTV to enjoy new episodes each week, totally 12 by season’s end. Have a look at the trailer below.

The rain fell gently beginning in the middle of the night yesterday, and at first, I didn’t believe it to be, but oh yes, it was rain, luscious, wonderful rain, and sleep became all the sweeter knowing the nourishment that the garden and all of Central Oregon was receiving.

As a result, the rest of the day yesterday moved with much serenity and calm – lower temperatures, smoke-free skies and a feeling of fall being just around the corner. I savored every moment. Speaking of savoring, I have been thoroughly enjoying this entire week with all of you, reading and responding to your comments, discovering more about each one of you who shares a glimpse into your life and passions, and reveling in a shared love for the French culture.

A full week has been underway and already this post is the 14th which includes four giveaways for a total of six eventual winners and the 5th giveaway was announced in the newsletter that goes out Friday morning. And yep, there is still one more giveaway and that is the Grand Giveaway which will be posted in a matter of hours (so later on Friday). Be sure to pop back round quickly because there will only be approximately 24 hours to enter.

And before I sign off and go watch an episode (or two) of the new season of Emily in Paris, I want to remind TOP Tier Members, if you haven’t read the 11 August Ponderings . . . , post, be sure to do so as much is shared about all sorts of things – a future new book from TSLL, a BIG thank you, sales not to miss on skincare and much more.

One last reminder, this coming week (August 19-22) as French Week concludes on the 18th, is the annual partial week off that I take to recharge before diving back in for the new blog season (we are entering our 15th!). So there won’t be any new posts on Monday or Wednesday, BUT I will return next Friday with the regular and favorite reader post This & That, full of all new finds and ideas of ways to enjoy the coming week. But this week isn’t over yet! As I mentioned above, the Grand Giveaway will be shared later today, and on Saturday there will be a brand new post that is French inspired, followed by Sunday’s post announcing all eight winners of the giveaways.

With that, I have gathered up a few posts and one video I thought you might enjoy, many being French-focused. Thank you so much for stopping by today and celebrating with TSLL community. Tickled you are here and until later today, bonne journée !

~If you are looking for all of the posts shared during this year’s French Week, you can find them here.

~Shop like a local at French brocantes and vide greniers [La Cuisine Paris]

~I thoroughly enjoyed my day trip to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and eagerly hope to return. Here are some ideas of what to do, eat and drink [Condé Nast Traveler]

~8 signs you’re thriving in life even if it doesn’t feel like it [Hack Spirit]

~How to plan a parfait trip to Aix-en-Provence [Travel + Leisure]

~Save up to 60% off Babbel and begin to polish up your French language skills!

~Susan Hermann Loomis is offering her last cooking classes held at Rue Tatin in Louviers (Normandy) in her lovely customized classic French kitchen this fall in September and October. It is a lovely French village location and I still recall my memories often. Learn more here and be sure to email her with questions about specific dates and offerings.

~If you notice these 10 signs, your life is starting to change for the better [The Expert Editor]

~How to buy antiques for your French (inspired) home [Complete France]

~A simple tried-and-true way to preserve fruits and berries to be enjoyed long after summer has said au revoir. Thank you Rona for sharing this with us. [The Guardian]

~Here to eat, stay and shop in Marseille [Saveur]

~A simple list to keep in mind when you head to France – What NEVER to say in French! Oh la la . . . just don’t it! S’il vous plait !

~Explore last week’s This & That: August 9, 2024

All across the board do we have items to discover from books about discover the wealth that cannot be purchased, delicious recipes from the Mediterranean islands and shores, a book that dives into the history and health of freezing food and a creative novel about a man who travels through key moments of 20th century history. Also, a new film portraying the life of British writer Samuel Beckett through a philosophical lens, clothing finds from the new fall collections that immediately caught my eye and maybe yours as well, a new British mystery series, the return of a fun and Paris based series and still much, much more. 

~Please note: TSLL is supported by you, readers who take the time to stop by (merci!), peruse and sometimes welcome into your life mentioned and recommended finds. Affiliate links are present in today’s post and may earn commissions for TSLL when you purchase. View TSLL’s full Privacy Policy here.