Gift Guide | The Francophile

For the Francophile

This gift guide is for the person who has never forgotten the rush of the Mistral winds across their face, who dreams of poppy fields and sleeps with sachets of lavender tucked between their pillows. Perhaps they took French in college, or pepper little “bonjours” into their speech. They long to visit the petite Parisian shops themselves, to wander the brocantes of Provence, but content themselves with prints on their office walls until their next expedition across the sea.

1. Isolation Creation Day 34 | Large Poster by Jamie Beck

"Today I am drowned in emotion. How fragile we are, how deep our waters flow in love."

A museum-quality poster of pale tulips floating in serene water, captured by Jamie Beck during Day 34 of her Isolation Creation series in 2020.

2. Médie Eau de Parfum by Trudon

A freshness that runs on the skin, leaving a desirable trace of amber and leather on the surface.

Head Notes: Mandarin, Grapefruit Heart Notes French Cypress, Sambac Jasmine Base Notes Frankinsence, Vetiver

3. Oiseaux et Feuillages Cushion Cover by Antoinette Poisson

100% linen cushion with the pattern "Oiseaux et feuillages" taken from from the Old World art of creating Domino Papers, revived by Antoinette Poisson in Paris, France.

4. Savon de Marseilles | Olive Oil

A delicate blend comprises olive oil, alkaline ash from sea plants, and water from the Mediterranean Sea. 

These all-natural blocks of soap are hand-crafted in the South of France, using the same process practiced for centuries. Only a few savonneries still make this legendary soap in the traditional manner, which involves heating the ingredients in an antique cauldron for 10 days.

5. Sagittarius Charm by Fallen Aristocrat

Sagittarius’s heart burns bright with wanderlust—curious, enthusiastic, playful, blunt. Championed by the Archer’s dance through a wild wood, she evolves with each season to begin anew with the perpetual dawn.

November 22 — December 21.

A collection of zodiac charms inspired by vintage French designs, intricately detailed to represent symbols important to each star sign.

6. Leather Artist Pouch in Prussian Blue by Dreamer’s Supply Co.

Finished with a brass button cast from a vintage French piece found at brocante, this pouch holds brushes, charcoal, or pens—whatever a wandering artist may need.

Designed during a summer in Provence, this 'prussian blue' oil tanned leather has a smooth waxy finish with slight color variation, held tight by an elastic for ease of access.

7. Opéra Incense by Astier de Villatte

Giddying notes of Absolute Beeswax, rendered sublime by minute additions of Sandlewood and Styrax resin. 

Born of a friendship during time spent studying sculpture within L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Astier de Villatte is a story of innovation, brilliant aesthetic affinity, and crossroad where true art meets functionality.

8. La Bonne Étoile - Dome Paperweight by John Derian

"The Good Star"

A piece of decoupage handmade to order in their New York studio using reproduced imagery from John Derian's vast collection of antique and vintage prints. Trained artisans cut and collage the designs onto handblown glass to create unique objets d'art.

9. 1940s French Architectural Model

A charming antique architectural model created by an apprentice carpenter in the 1940s.

Collected on a trip through the brocantes of France by The Paris Market founder, Paula Danyluk.

10. Madeleine Mini Pan

20-cup Madeleine Pan designed in France to bake these delicate, shell-cut desserts.

This classic cookie should be fashioned with crisp edges and incredibly soft interiors — easily rendered using a pan that evenly conducts heat and won't steal the best parts by sticking.

11. Pure Orange Blossom Honey - L'Abeille Occitane

Warm in color and flavor, kissed by orange, this honey is a delight.

Located in Luberon, just north of the beautiful Aix en Provence in France, L'Abeille Occitane is known worldwide for their exquisite, all-natural honey varieties. The company specializes in producing mono-varietal honeys by collecting honey from bees fed on specific plants and trees.

12. Day 14 White Rose, iPhone 13 Case by Jamie Beck

"In the garden this morning the roses revealed they had themselves embarked on their own lifelines. I reached out and touched a single branch and thought how symbolic... within this one cluster was the representation of us all."

Durable, shatterproof plastic in a slim, lightweight design that offers a snug and intimate fit.

13. An American in Provence by Jamie Beck

What began as a one-year sabbatical from her chaotic, nonstop New York lifestyle became a love story. One with roots in the South of France from which grew a new sort of life—slower and sweeter, conducted in a landscape of living art. 

Beloved, award-winning photographer Jamie Beck draws us into her five year romance with the South of France in debut book, An American in Provence—equal parts memoir, art collection, travelogue, and cookbook.

All links may be found by clicking through images & text!