Being Parisian: 4 How-To Books
Many books and blogs about Paris struggle to define what makes the locals so… Parisian. After all, people have pondered that for centuries. Not to mention the last decade of how-to volumes telling la wanna-be what to eat, wear and drink.
Now four real Parisians have written similar manuals, each based on a blog about Paris—or, in one case, on expert credentials. Of course, they are in French. But do you have to be fluent to enjoy them? Not at all; these people know the market for books about Paris! So here’s the rundown on both books and blogs.
La Parisienne, by Inès de la Fressange (Flammarion; €25)
The world knows Inès as a fashion muse, working mother and all-around Frenchness coach (French Elle calls her “our Marianne of style”). Here she compiles, in scrapbook format, “all my shopping tips and tricks, my beauty secrets and my favourite places in Paris.” An elegant volume, featuring witty sketches by Inès—with her daughter Nine as model. The format is très simple: bullet points, lists, addresses, even Post-It notes.
Give as a gift? Yes! Beautifully presented, funny and useful. If you read French even a tiny bit, it’s all the more fun. Anglophones will love it too.
Great for: Style fans, fashionistas, tag hags, mothers (working or not), and femmes d’un certain age—just like Inès.
My Little Paris (Chêne; €14.90)
This is a book born of a blog (which itself is in English as well as French) that is centered around a newsletter of events and offers in Paris. The book reprises the blog’s greatest hits: where to learn aquabiking, find Parisian pizza with truffles, hear a Harlem gospel service or discover “deluxe” vintage. Its amusing illustrations alone have brought new subscribers to the site—just as the My Little Paris blog has gone national, covering other cities in France. Not as offbeat as it pretends yet plenty of useful tips.
Give as a gift? Yes. Lighthearted and lightweight. Easy to use, with information clearly listed, item by item; no need to read French.
Great for: Both adventurous visitors and adventurous web surfers (most of the offers are found through websites; almost all the shops, specialists, etc., can be contacted online).