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Five books about Paris




 ... that I think you'll love (plus bonus tip!) 


1. Astier de Villatte: Ma Vie à Paris

Now in  its fifth edition, Ivan & Benoit, owners of the emporium that is Astier de Villatte, share their best kept Paris tips in this beauty of a book. True to AdV form, it's printed on letterpress and comes with gilded edges. It's been a treasure in my bookcase since it first came out, and I desperately need an upgrade, as the revised edition has a promised 200 or so additional addresses waiting between its pages.

2. Ernest Hemingway: A Moveable Feast

Hemingway's memoir of his years as a struggling journalist and writer in Paris in the 1920s that was published posthumously in 1964. The book is dotted with references to notable figures during the time, from Shakespeare & Company's Sylvia Beach to F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein, and captures the ambience of 1920s Paris, which, coupled with Hemingway's sharp and  straightforward prose,  makes it a fascinating read on every level. 






3. Muriel Barbery: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Originally published by Gallimard, this novel by Muriel Barbery is set within the walls of a Parisian hôtel particulier. At its heart is Renée Michel, a seemingly unremarkable concierge who carefully conceals her  intellect and deep love of art and philosophy. When she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the precocious daughter of an upper-class family in the building, her guarded world begins to shift. 


4. Julian Green: Paris

Julian Green was born to American parents in Paris in 1900. In this book, he leads the reader on a dreamlike journey through Paris's courtyards, alleys and secret corners. It's atmospheric, evocative and the perfect read when you're longing for a spot of Parisian flânerie.







5. Ruth Reichl: The Paris Novel

My most recent Paris read, this was one of those light-but-not-silly books that sweeps you along to wander through many familiar corners of Paris and dive into restaurants to sample the dishes. Set in 1980s Paris, the novel follows reserved New Yorker Stella, as she's drawn into a world of art, food and culture, discovering a new side of herself. A foodie treat.

And for the bonus tip! (You might have guessed...)


Rebecca Skye Watson: Parisienne – Secrets to Paris-Inspired Living

An invitation to sprinkle some Parisian charm into your everyday, from styling your home with Haussmannian elegance to curating a Parisienne  wardrobe and throwing a soirée. A visual feast filled with inspiration, recipes and  secret addresses – and more reading tips.









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