France Magazine 79: Holiday Shopping List

		France Magazine We’re not exactly impartial, but we really do think that France Magazine is the best possible gift for anyone who loves France. At once beautiful and smart—and occasionally witty—it’s a wonderful mini-vacation that arrives in your mailbox four times a year. Click here for more information.
		Editions Bernard Chauveau Earlier this year, we discovered Bernard Chauveau’s limited-edition art books with their vibrant pochoir illustrations (see our Summer 2006 issue). Especially seductive is the series devoted to Henri Matisse (La Piscine, The Chapel at Vence, The Blue Nudes and Polynesia). Each hand-painted reproduction can be framed, making for delightful, unique gifts. €65 to €69.90. Click here for more information.

		French America If you’re spending the holidays in France, French America: French Architecture from Colonization to the Birth of a Nation makes a terrific hostess gift. Our French friends are always delighted to see that a lavishly illustrated, well-written tome has been devoted to the influence of French architecture, from Creole plantations in Louisiana to government buildings in Washington, DC. We also give it to American friends, who marvel at how much they learn about their own country. $45. Available through amazon.com and other online booksellers.

		Sempé Collections Best known stateside for his New Yorker covers, Sempé never fails to charm us. The Paris-based cartoonist manages to sum up so many things that are quintessential about the French character with a just few well placed lines and a watercolor wash. Phaidon Press recently issued English-language translations of four collections of Sempé cartoons from 1962 to 2003; they’re sure to assume a place of honor on any Francophile’s bookshelf. $19.95 each. Click here for more information.

		Art Deco Textiles You don’t have to be a fabric maven to be wowed by the fabulous patterns featured in Art Deco Textiles: The French Designers by Alain-René Hardy. Boasting hundreds of photographs showcasing works from the 1920s and 1930s—a period of great creative ferment—this gorgeous book is truly a treat for anyone interested in graphic design. $34.95. Click here for more information.

		Americans in Paris Our Summer 2006 feature on the “Americans in Paris” exhibit reminded us of how much creative energy artists (and even ordinary mortals such as us) absorb while living in Paris. We were blown away by the gorgeous works by John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler, Mary Cassatt, Winslow Homer and other lesser known but incredibly talented painters. The show will be at New York’s Metropolitan until January, but long after it’s over, we’ll enjoy perusing our copy of “Americans in Paris 1860-1900.” With its lavish illustrations and informative essays, this is one catalogue we’ll always treasure. $40. Click here for more information.

		The French Country Garden Whether formal or experimental, French gardens inspire us immensely—even though we probably log in many more hours perusing garden tomes than actually pulling weeds. But when Louisa Jones’s lovely The French Country Garden came across our desk, we made all sorts of new resolutions. Covering every corner of France, this beautifully photographed book—now out in paperback—is a great gift for armchair, aspiring and dedicated jardiniers. $29.95. Click here for more information.

		Côté Maison No one reads more magazines—and is more critical of them—than editors. At France Magazine, we have flipped through our share of glossy pages, and year after year, Côté Sud and its sibs, Côté Ouest and Côté Est, are among our favorites. Every issue stokes our fantasies of living in France with gorgeous images—cozy fishermen’s cottages in Brittany, half-timbered houses in Alsace, rustic mas in Provence…. Would we could live on every page! $47.50 for a one-year subscription (six issues). In French. Click here for more information. Click here to subscribe.

		Michelin Green Guides We’ve flipped through a lot of very good travel guides, but when we’re on assignment, it’s Michelin’s Green Guides that inevitably end up in our suitcases. We find them well organized and easy to use, with a wealth of cultural and historic information presented in a concise format. And the rating system (from “interesting” to “worth a trip”) is a great help in sorting out priorities when we are pressed for time. A terrific stocking stuffer for anyone planning to travel in 2007. From $18 to $21.95. Click here for more information. Click here to order.

		Eclipse Pendant Our feature story on Baccarat (Spring 2004) got all of us oohing and ahhing over the company’s crystal rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces (you can see a selection on baccarat.fr). This holiday season, Baccarat is offering a pink Eclipse pendant, with $40 of the sales price going to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. $250. Offer valid through December 31, 2006; Tel. 800/777-0100. Click here for more information.

		Heart Pendant For some reason, “I love you” always sounds better in French...even when you’re saying it to your mom. We think this maman je t'aime necklace from Red Envelope says it especially well. $75. Click here for more information.

		Jacques Fath Archives You didn’t think that everything on our gift list was going to be reasonable, did you? We have our share of unbridled holiday fantasies too, and topping our wish list are the Jacques Fath Archives, offered in the 80th edition of Neiman Marcus’s famous Christmas Book. The renowned French couturier died in 1954 after a short but phenomenally influential career, and the House of Fath closed its doors two years later. The maison’s archives include these 26 sketchbooks containing some 3,400 designs as well as three haute couture dresses with their accompanying sketches. It’s a fabulous piece of fashion history, and we hope it finds a worthy home, even it it isn’t ours! $3,500,000. For more information, call 1-877-9NM-GIFT or click here.

		Flower Necklace Our editor discovered Cécile et Jeanne years ago at a press conference for Paris’s Hôtel Meurice. The Meurice’s ever-stylish Director of Communications, Claudia Schall, was wearing an orange brooch from Cécile et Jeanne’s signature line of resin and crystal jewelry. Now there are two collections—“Riviera” and “Kyoto”—based on this technique, with new colors coming out every year. The Winter 2006 hue is a luscious plum. Necklace, $108. Click here for more information.

		Lalique Rings When our former Director of Advertising found herself waiting for a delayed flight at Charles de Gaulle airport, she did what any of us would do: She went shopping. The next day, she showed up at the office sporting a new Lalique ring. Unable to decide between the many beautiful colors, she bought two…. $225. Click here for more information (then click on "Product" and "Direct search: Rings") and for Lalique store locations.

		Fondue for Deux Talk about romantic! We spotted this “fondue for two” kit on QuelObjet.com, a Web site devoted to French items.It comes complete with luscious Belgian chocolate, a 3.5 inch fondue pot, two forks and a candle. $24. Click here for more information.

		Candied Flowers A specialty of southern France, candied flowers—violets, rose petals, mimosa flowers, verveine leaves—have long been used to decorate French confections. When entertaining, we like to mix them in with brown sugar cubes from La Perruche to add a bit of color and fun to our coffee tray. $6.99 each. Click here for more information.

		Mastering the Art of French Cooking In our line of work, we have the great privilege of meeting many extraordinary people, from writers to CEOs to movie stars. Our editor, however, was most deeply moved by her encounter with Julia Child, whose classic cookbook, penned with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, taught her how to cook and has been her faithful partner through years of entertaining. First published in 1961, Mastering not only demystified French cooking, it revealed much about the French; the discernment, care and pleasure they put into food is emblematic of their entire art de vivre. $40. Click here for more information.

		Jacques Torres Chocolates Just in case you hadn’t figured it out yet, we’re a bunch of unrepentant chocoholics. Some of the best chocolate we’ve ever tasted came from Jacques Torres’s namesake boutique in New York City; we loved both the bars and the boxed assortments. Not that we need an excuse or anything, but the holidays seem like just the right time to indulge. Prices vary. Click here for more information.

		French Feast If you’re looking for a gift for a friend who’s homesick for France, go straight to frenchfeast.com. There are lots of gourmet goodies (foie gras, olive oil), but what we really love are all the decidedly unglamourous products that make us feel like we’re standing in the aisles of Monoprix: Carambars, Pépitos, Carte Noire coffee (“le café nommé désir”), Pierrot lollipops, Amora mustard, Harissa…. Click here for more information.

		French Cheese Every member of our staff is an avowed gourmand, with some of us favoring the sweet, others preferring the savory. All of us, however, would be thrilled to have a selection of perfectly aged French cheese show up at our homes every month, along with recommendations for wine pairings. Recently, we learned that fromages.com offers subscriptions for either three, six, nine or 12 months (choose three or five cheeses per delivery). From €189 to €990. Click here for more information.

		French Farmhouse Cookbook Susan Herrmann Loomis, the author of our Délices & Saveurs column, has penned six cookbooks. Her French Farmhouse Cookbook (Workman, 1996) embodies all the qualities that we were looking for when we hired her: a deep knowledge not only of cooking but of food and the people who produce it, a journalist’s keen eye and an enormous love for her subject. Many of the recipes in this book are precisely what made us fall in love with French country fare in the first place—they are simple, with a little twist that transforms them into something memorable. $18.95. Click here for more information.

		Eau de Beauté Besides that first cup of coffee in the morning, how many things do you look forward to day after day? We never get tired of spritzing on Caudalie’s Eau de Beauté—those few seconds of refreshing fragrant mist are like a mini spa treatment. The company claims this Beauty Elixir was inspired by the formula used by Queen Isabelle of Hungary, who looked years younger than her age. Whatever. We just love the way it feels. $49. Click here for more information.
		Crushed Cabernet Scrub There are countless exfoliants on the market, but there’s just something a bit more fun about rubbing yourself down with grape seeds and honey. From Caudalie—the company that pioneered vinotherapy—this concoction also contains soothing essential oils. $35. Click here for more information.

		Bath Duo We like to pair oh-so-French gants de toilette with skin-nourishing olive oil-based savon de Marseille for gifts that are both luxurious and practical. The soaps (from frenchgardening.com) are from a family-owned olive orchard and mill in southern France and come in lavender, honey and French clay. $9 each. The terrycloth wash mitts from Cyrillus come in taupe, dusty rose and pearl grey. €5 each. Click here for more information about the gants de toilette. Click here for more information about the savon de Marseille.
		Lavender Lavish Scrub This exfoliant from Perfect Organics is the next best thing to a walk through Provence’s fragrant fields. We’re keeping some on hand to scrub away stress from all the holiday hoopla—not only do the organic brans, sea salt and essential oils make your skin feel great, the lavender even soothes headaches! Also comes in Hazelnut Coffee (which smells good enough to eat), Orange Ginger and Mandarin Rose Coconut. Click here for more information.

		Revolving Soaps Not that we really miss public restrooms in France, but we were charmed by the nostalgia chic of these Provendi revolving soaps on chrome-plated bracket rods. $39; refills $8. From frenchsoaps.com's "Best of France" collection. Click here for more information.

		Shower Curtain OK, we realize that " shower curtain" isn't on most people's gift lists. But maybe it would be if they knew they could hang a romatic Paris street scene in their bathroom. Guaranteed to make you sing--in French--in the shower. Made of machine washable vinyl. $35. Click here for more information.

		Tykho Radio We featured this rubber radio by Marc Berthier in France Magazine several years ago, and a couple of us couldn’t resist ordering our own. Since then, it has become a design classic, earning awards and a place in MoMA’s permanent collection. New colors are regularly introduced, keeping it fresh. $55. Click here for more information.

		Vase de Printemps The Springtime Vase delighted us when it came out in 1993, and it’s been delighting us ever since. French creators Tsé & Tsé hit a home run with this design, which perfectly balances simplicity, elegance and whimsy. $225. Click here for more information.

		Eiffel Tower Okay, so maybe it’s not actually “made in France,” but is there a more popular Paris icon? This hand-tied stainless steel Eiffel Tower from CB2, Crate and Barrel’s design-conscious younger sibling, would be a welcome addition to our shelf. $22.95. Click here for more information.
		Paris Tokyo Cushions We have a serious yen for this Paris Tokyo woven tapestry cushion from Conran. Somehow the combination of Japanese motifs and the Eiffel tower form a perfect fusion. $85. Click here for more information.

		Moutet Linens In our Summer 2000 issue, we wrote about Tissage Moutet, a small company in southwestern France that was staging a remarkable comeback after being liquidated in 1998. The new owner, Catherine Moutet (related by marriage to the family that founded the company in the late 19th century) had opted to reinvent traditional Basque linens, adding bold colors and exciting designs and enlisting such talents as Hilton McConnico. Six years later, Moutet is still going strong with a line that includes these delightfully witty tea towels. €35 ($43.81) for three. Click here for more information.

		Moutet in a Box QuelObjet.com also offers Moutet linens—we especially like the gift boxes. You can pick out any four tea towels, matching them by theme (poets, kings, queens or flowers) or by color. $72. Click here for more information.

		Ornaments Forget the tree—we like the nature-inspired ornaments by Atelier LZC so much that we would use them decorate our walls year round. $6-$73. Click here for more information.
		Pumpkin Galette There are always those pesky people on our lists who already have everything. Except perhaps a pumpkin galette. Made by an artisan in the Loire Valley, this woven willow disk is placed under a ripening pumpkin to protect if from the ground and thus from developing an unsightly spot. We think it’s a great gift for gardening fanatics. $32, sans pumpkin. Click here for more information.

		Anduze Vases Nothing evokes sun-dappled Provence gardens quite like these jardinières. Pierre Deux offers them in three sizes (6", 8.75" and 16.5"). We like to use several of the diminutive ones as table decorations, to hold breadsticks, cheese straws, cigarettes russes…. $28, $60 and $150. Click here for more information.

		Map of Paris We find Paris maps—especially the old ones—endlessly fascinating. The New York Public Library’s online shop features an especially fine example titled “Nouveau Paris monumental, Itinéraire pratique de l’étranger dans Paris.” The poster is reproduced from an 1878 lithograph in the Library’s Map Division. $35. Click here for more information.

		Mama and Her Baby Duck Even those of us who don’t have kids are going gaga over Doudou et Compagnie’s stuffed animals. The cuddly menagerie includes these adorable ducks as well as bunnies, bears, mice, dogs—even cows. $35.99. Click here for more information.
		Pablo and Lola Meet Pablo and Lola. Made of polar fleece, these funny little guys by Paris designer Marie Joxe-Collins immediately seduced us with their offbeat charm. They and their friends from Pooki & Co. are the latest craze from the French capital, and we can see why. $22 each. Click here for more information.
		Zouzou Wooden Pull Toy Maybe it was the unexpected combination of the Burberry-ish plaid and the big sad eyes, but little Zouzou won our hearts immediately. Crafted by artisans from the Paris-based toy company Djeco, she’s made of solid wood and adorned with non-toxic, child-friendly paints and finishes. $29.99. Click here for more information.

		Baby Bib We don’t think it’s ever too early to experience the magic of Paris. Baby will think her strained carrots are a gourmet purée de carottes printanières when wearing this pretty bib, which comes in its own white tulle bag. Click here for more information.

		History Lessons Souvenirs of Paris makes French history lessons as fun as a game of poker with cards featuring French kings, Napoleon and paintings of Paris. These make great stocking stuffers for any French student. $14. Click here for more information.
		Strategy Games Matching wits is a great ways to keep the family happy during all those holiday gatherings. We like these wooden strategy games from the French creators of Blue Orange Games, a company that takes its name from Paul Eluard’s poem The Earth is Blue Like an Orange. $15 to $30. Click here for more information.
		PAPO Figures If you haven’t heard of PAPO figures, chances are you don’t have an 11-year-old kid. All the rage among the pre-teen set, these highly collectible plastic toys from France include knights, wizards and spirited princesses, not to mention noble steeds and fierce dragons. And if you really want to get medieval for the holidays, there are also castles, fortresses and dungeons, as well as such destructive accessories as catapults, siege engines and battering rams. $5 to $140. Click here for more information.
		ABC Magnets “C” is for grenouille? Oh wait, that must be a crapaud. These charmingly retro magnets are a great way for kids and adults alike to enjoy learning la langue de Molière. $20. Click here for more information.
		Creanimaux Wooden Animal Blocks Creanimaux Wooden Animal Blocks Creanimaux are definitely not chips off the old block. These 52 brightly colored pieces from the Paris-based Djeco can be used to assemble “real” animals—a lion, tiger, hippo, giraffe, rhino and so on—or fanciful new creations. This is truly a toy that can grow with the kid. $45.99. Click here for more information.
		Mini Trucks from Vilac Located in the Jura, Vilac has been making wooden toys since 1911. We love their oh-so-French toy trucks, easily grasped by little hands. $10.39 each. Click here for more information.

		Bicycle Bell When our senior editor’s daughter first learned how to ride a bike, her safety-minded mother decided that a bell was an absolute necessity. The kid certainly had no objections—not when she was presented with an adorable ladybug bell from Pylones. Other equally cute models are also available—a bee, a frog, a poppy … a dozen in all. $17. Click here for more information.

		J. Herbin Invisible Ink Believe it or not, we here at France Magazine always prepare our confidential office memos using encre invisible by J. Herbin—the celebrated French purveyor of fine inks. Okay, don’t believe it, but we still think it would be just the ticket for billets doux or secret messages. The ink looks pink in the bottle, is invisible when dry and turns blue—temporarily—when the paper is held over a light bulb. $16. Click here for more information.

		Holiday Cards We always have trouble getting our holiday cards out on time—thank goodness the French allow you until the end of January to send out your voeux. Picking the right card for our favorite Francophiles is easy, though—we know they’ll love these postcards with nostalgic scenes of Paris in the snow. The 18 cards are printed with either “Joyeux Noël” or “Bonne Année.” $11.95. Click here for more information.

		Atelier LZC Notecards We have a petit faible for pretty stationery, and Atelier LZC’s notecards—featuring their signature silhouettes and organic shapes—tickle our fancy. The only problem is that we hate to part with cards we really like. That’s when it’s time to think in terms of affordable art: Set in a nice frame, these colorful creations would certainly liven up our décor. Four different sets are available; $16 for a box of six. Click here for more information.

		Laguiole Steak Knife Set In France, they say that if you give someone a sharp object, they have to give you back a coin to prevent the friendship from being severed. So get out your change purse, because these Laguiole steak knives from Anthropologie—available in both cool and warm tones—are sharp in every sense of the word. $98. Click here for more information.

		Jean Nouvel Tea and Coffee Set In 2003, Alessi asked some of the world’s most celebrated architects to design limited-edition tea and coffee services. Jean Nouvel’s elegantly streamlined creation is now available to a wider public; pieces can be purchased individually or as a set. All are crafted of 18/10 stainless steel and double-walled for additional insulation. $26 to $505. Click here for more information.

		Mirza Teapot Last year, our Nouveautés section featured a porcelain teapot by Paris’s Tsé & Tsé design team; dubbed “Mirza,” it was named for a famous French pop song about a lost dog. We like its unusual elongated shape and think it would be perfect for brewing up a pot of Marco Polo tea. $135. Click here for more information.

		Corkscrew Gift Set Maybe it’s time we admit that we drink enough wine to merit investing in a Screwpull, considered by many aficionados to be the best corkscrew on the market. Or just maybe some nice someone will think to give us this Metal Trilogy Gift Set, which features a self-pulling corkscrew and foil cutter packed in a handsome metal case. $57.50. Click here for more information.

		Organic Napkins We never get tired of the simple elegance of hemstitched white linens, and these 100 percent certified organic French linen napkins let us enjoy a bit of luxe while feeling environmentally correct. Six for $63. Click here for more information.

		Bistro Placemats and Napkins French design is hotter than ever, and we make a point of ferreting out the country’s edgiest creations and showcasing them in the pages of France Magazine. But we also have a soft spot for la France éternelle; this placemat set with screened images of traditional European flatware nurtures our nostalgic side. Click here for more information.


		Veuve Clicquot NV Rosé Ever notice how bringing Champagne to your host and hostess always livens up the dinner party—especially when it’s rosé? It just feels extra special. One we’ve been enjoying lately is the new non-vintage rosé from Veuve Clicquot, which comes elegantly dressed in pale-pink packaging. Our wine editor, Michael Franz, described it as “fresh and fruit-driven, one of the finest wines in its category.” $45. Available through fine wine merchants nationwide. Click here for more information.

		Idôl Vodka We admit we were a bit dubious when we first encountered this vodka from—of all places—Burgundy. All our doubts vanished, however, with the first taste. Distilled from fermented Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grown in the Côte de Nuits and Cote de Beaune regions, this is one smooth, elegant quaff. $40. Click here for more information. Click here for a list of merchants.

		Lulu B. OK, we’re not usually big fans of berets (so Monica Lewinsky!). And while we’re not wine snobs, we really don’t like screw caps. But we’ll make an exception for Lulu B wines, if only because they make us smile. These unpretentious varietals—Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—are made by the daughter of winemaker Louis Bernard. The labels are a fun send-up of the stereotypical French woman, the Web site is a hoot, and the wine is a good bet in the under $10 category. Click here for more information. Click here for a list of wine merchants.

		Cognac Tesseron Lot Numéro 29 “Exception” Last year, France Magazine hosted a fundraising dinner celebrating the 150th anniversary of the 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines. The most prestigious winemakers in France donated fabulous bottles for the occasion—Bollinger Champagne, Château Haut-Brion, Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem. How do you end such an evening on a high note? That was possible thanks to the generosity of Tesseron Cognac, which donated several bottles of its rare Lot 29. Here’s what one of our guests, a certain Robert M. Parker, Jr., wrote about it: "Although French law does not permit a vintage date to be used, this is all from 1929, and is very limited in availability. I'm not an expert on Cognac, but anything this smooth, silky, potent, and aromatic is truly great stuff. It is about as ethereal a Cognac as anyone could ever hope to drink." About $250 per bottle; available through online wine purveyors such as Morrell and Sherry-Lehmann. Click here for more information.

		Bordeaux: A Consumer's Guide to the World's Finest Wines While we were preparing for our interview with Robert Parker (see Issue 72), we discovered that one reason there are so many misconceptions about the world’s most famous wine critic is that many people haven’t read this book. Sure, they buy it—for his ratings. That’s a shame, because these pages are a thoroughly enjoyable read, providing insight into the grape-growing and winemaking processes and exploring a variety of issues that are having an impact on Bordeaux wines today. All in all, a superb gift for anyone who truly loves wine. $60. Available through amazon.com and other online booksellers. Click here for more information.

		Sweet Stuff We’ve learned the hard way: Never log on to the Trois Crepes Web site before lunch. Looking at all those sugary treats on an empty stomach is pure masochism. Their special Christmas section includes pain d’épices, caramel lollipops, pink Champagne cookies, chocolate rochers, madeleines.... Prices vary. Click here for more information.

		Pierre Deux If you love that French country look, you probably already know Pierre Deux, which has been selling Provençal fabrics, furniture and accessories for years. Their Fall 2006 catalogue features a selection of ornaments, decorations and other items for the holidays (pages 52-55). Click here for more information.