Years ago, I had read a book titled “How To Be Parisian: Wherever You Are“, written by four French women who were friends for years, with careers in music, film, fashion and publishing – telling what it really means to be Parisian in a sincere frank way with surprising anectodes. The book was so witty and funny that I remember laughing out loud from time to time while I was reading it, which I had enjoyed it tremendously. (Photo above: fullybookedonline.com)

Cover of the book “How To Be Parisian: Wherever You Are” by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline De Maigret and Sophie Mas, 2014 / Caroline De Maigret, French international model and music producer, had studied literature at the Sorbonne before modeling. (Image: blu-kat.com)

The book is about what it means to be a French woman, a Parisienne – how they think, feel, dress, have fun, their style and habits, views on men, and includes some Parisian tips, classic French recipes like crepes or ‘Île Flottante‘ or ways to spend time the Parisian way.

There are also restaurant, bistro, cafe, and market recommendations in the book. The writers share the tips for hosting a dinner party as well with recipes like lemon chicken, and chocolate fondant. They say ‘the trick lies in not being a gourmet chef, but rather mastering a couple of recipes perfectly‘ adding that the table should look pretty and flowers should not be forgotten yet ‘everything must look effortless‘…

The front of Pâtisserie Viennoise in Paris (in the 6th arrondissement) – a bistro mentioned in the book as: ‘as pretty as a postcard‘ with comfort food and delicious hot chocolate and where you’ll run into students from the Sorbonne and their professors / The Pâtisserie Viennese’s Sachertorte, Austrian cake of chocolate and apricot jam (Photos: parisperfect.com / gastronomos.fr)

The four Parisianne authors put forward the aim of the book as giving an insight into Parisian art of being a woman. They admit being snob, a bit self-centered and complicated – ‘unpredictable but not unreliable, bossy but also romantic, proud yet self-deprecating, loyal and yet unfaithful‘… The authors say Parisiennes aren’t always easy to be with and aren’t all perfect mothers, full of paradoxes, yet can be also funny and attentive, and they know how to enjoy life.

Le Café Marly, located under the arcades of the Louvre Museum in Paris (93, Rue de Rivoli) – mentioned in How To Be Parisian book as “a terrace where you feel like a queen and you’ll pay more for your coffee, but there’s no view like it anywhere else in the world“. (Photos: cafe-marly.com)

The authors of the book point out that the most famous Parisiennes are foreigners like Marie Antoinette, Josephine Baker, Romy Schneider, and Jane Birkin, and they say:
“Yes, the Parisienne often comes from somewhere else. She wasn’t born in Paris, but she’s reborn there.“

Jane Birkin, known for her timeless style and unforgettable 1969 song “Je t’aime… moi noon plus” / Romy Schneider (lead actress in Sisi) attending a party on a boat for the 1962 Italian film
“Boccaccio ’70” (Photos: Getty Images)

As someone enthusiast of French culture having learned French in business life, I have a perception of and views on a Parisienne. She is a woman who has her own way, creates her own fashion, is direct but also mysterious, makes you wonder what she thinks as she sips her wine yet you would never know…

As referred to in How To Be Parisian, she can “sit alone in a restaurant with her book on the table gazing into the distance” or “drink her coffee alone at a pavement café“, and “takes her time to walk to work, to escape for a weekend with friends, to listen to her children or to make fresh-squeezed orange juice for breakfast“…

Photo: Getty Images

I think one of the best descriptions of a Parisian woman in the book is:
“The Parisienne is always late. Unlike you, she has important things to do, she’s a busy woman. She’ll never wear makeup on a date. Naturally, her inner beauty needs no artifice. On the other hand, she won’t hesitate to wear lipstick to the bakery on Sunday morning, because what if she runs into someone she knows?”
Some more:
“She always wears her sunglasses, even when it rains.”
“She eats a four-cheese pizza but puts Stevia in her coffee.”
“She drinks vodka in the evening and green tea in the morning.“

Catherine Deneuve demonstrating the French way to wear lipstick in 1983 film ‘The Hunger‘ (telegraph.co.uk)

The book refers to some of the mottos of a Parisienne as not to follow trends, leaving a party when it’s in full swing, never losing control, and never revealing too much about herself. She is said to be the one to propose mostly, for she wants the moment to be original and unique…

Photo: (fifi.com.au) (Some of the essentials of a Parisienne’s wardrobe are counted in the book as : Jeans (anytime), the bag (like her home), the little black blazer (smartens up the jeans), ballet flats (Audrey Hepburn style), a small silk scarf, the white shirt (iconic and timeless), the oversized sweater, basic oversized sunglasses, …)

Below are some of jolly Parisian tips from How To Be Parisian book:
* Find “your” perfume before you turn thirty. Wear it for the next thirty years.
* If you own only one sweater, make sure it’s cashmere.
* Go to the theatre, to museums and to concerts as often as possible; it gives you a healthy glow.
* Make it look easy. Everything you do should seem effortless and graceful.
* Not too much makeup, too many colors, too many accessories …

A scene from the classic French film “Hôtel du Nord” directed by Marcel Carné, which you can watch to explore Paris of the 1930s and turns of the Canal Saint-Martin. (Photo: allocine.fr) – (one of the films mentioned in the ‘When You Watch These Films, You’re in Paris‘ section of the book – along with others like “2 Days in Paris” starring Julie Delpy, “An American in Paris“, “The Last Metro” starring Catherine Deneuve, Bertolucci’s “Last Tango in Paris” with Marlon Brando, and “Breathless” by Jean-Luc Godard.)

There are point by point lists in How To Be Parisian book for “Spending Time the Parisian Way” (a Parisian day, week and weekend). Below are some of them I’ve marked:
* Greet the waiter in your local café with la bise (kiss) on your way to work in the morning.
* Don’t eat breakfast.
* Drink at least one glass of red wine between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
* Host a Parisian dinner party.
* Treat yourself to some flowers to brighten up your apartment.
* Eat croissants and buttered toast for breakfast – (on Saturday morning)
* Agree to (at least a little) exercise but only in “beautiful” surroundings: a run in a picturesque public park or a swim in a historically listed pool.
(Jolly, aren’t they?)

Authors of the book “How To Be Parisian: Wherever You Are“: Journalist and screenwriter Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, international model (ambassador for Chanel) and music producer, movie producer Sophie Mas, and writer Anne Berest (Photo: fife.co.au)

Restaurant “La Chope des Puces” offering traditional cuisine in the famous Parisian Flea Market in Saint-Ouen – recommended in the book to enjoy mussels, chips and live gypsy jazz (It’s strongly suggested in their website to book in advance to guarantee a table as the restaurant is only open once a week.) (Photo: lachopedespuces.fr)

“A la Cloche d’or“, legendary old-fashioned restaurant nearby Moulin Rouge where you can have foie gras and escargots – mentioned as “open all hours and actors rush here the minute they come off the stage” / Restaurant of Hôtel Amour, Paris, with a bar, recommended in the book – for “a lovely evening having dinner”. (Photos: tripadvisor.fr / hotelamourparis.fr)

There are many more recommended Parisian addresses and Parisian tips in the book “”How To Be Parisian: Wherever You Are“, and much more anecdotes about a Parisian woman (a Parisienne) that will make you laugh out – be it from her views and attitudes on love to her struggling in a restaurant menu to come up to an optimum solution!
However, what surprised me most to read in the book was the quote below:
“Every Parisienne has a notebook in her purse, preferably a black Moleskin, in which she’s constantly jotting down all sorts of things.”
– which I do (tiny pretty notebooks to note anything) instinctively for many years:)

A section from the book (Image: amazon.it)

And the handbag of a Parisian woman is said to be a notorious mess with anything and everything: a crime novel, an old pay stub, a pack of gum, a phone charger, a wilted rose …:) (How To Be Parisian book)

The Second Parisian Book

The second Parisian book I want to mention in this post, is a jolly book I came across on a bookshop shelf last year titled “Parisian Chic Encore!” – the latest edition of the New York Times bestseller “Parisian Chic“.

Left: Cover of “Parisian Chic Encore!” by Model Inès de la Fressange, who has her own brand and boutique ‘Ines de la Fressange Paris‘, and Sophie Gachet, a fashion journalist. / Right: Ines de la Fressange (Photo: Benoît Peverelli from Parisian Chic Encore via mylittlebird.com)

The book ‘Parisian Chic Encore‘ is a Style Guide where model Inès de la Fressange shares the secrets of ‘effortless glamour‘ and ‘timeless allure‘ of Parisian women, and the authors share their personal style and beauty tips and their favorite stylish Parisian addresses (in Paris and online) for clothing and decoration. There are also sweet addresses for kids, traditional Parisian bistros, restaurants and places where the residents of Paris visit in their spare time. It is like it complements ‘How To Be Parisian‘ book yet goes much deeper into style.

Two unusual museums mentioned in the book, visited by Parisians in their spare time: Left: Musée Delacroix, housed in the former apartment of French romantic artist Eugène Delacroix – in the charming square ‘Place de Furstenberg‘ (in St-Germain des Pres) / Right: Musée de la Vie Romantique, a charming museum with a lovely garden at the foot of Montmartre hill (Photos: louvre.fr / museevieromantique.paris.fr)

Among the suggested places in the book “for a breath of fresh air” – Left: “Parc des Buttes-Chaumont“, which has ‘some of the best views of Paris‘ / Right: “Jardin Catherine Labouré” for a ‘chic picnic‘ (Photos: timeout.com / timeout.fr)

Parisian Chic Encore book is a fun book with a humorous tone and with fashion photographs and sweet illustrations. The authors list the following guidelines for ‘How To Look Parisian“:
* Discreet chic – You’ll never see a real Parisian with flashy jewelry, fur coat or clothes with logos.
* Ignore trends – Following the herd is not the Parisian’s style but asking ‘Is this my style?’
* The Parisian mixes brands, regardless of price like a luxury bag with worn jeans.
* Be comfortable in your skin – The secret to style is feeling good in your clothes.
* The Parisian regularly adds new pieces to her wardrobe, but also buys timeless clothes she keeps for years, and is skilled at mixing them up.
* Don’t be afraid of bad taste – don’t bow down to fashion diktats!
* The Parisian loves finding new brands / boutiques that no one knows about, and selecting the best from different places. Like a cashmere sweater by French supermarket Monoprix.

Parisian elegance – Left: Ines de la Fressange pairs a black suit with a white tank top. She carries a bag with personality and wears sporty sneakers for contrast with the chic plain suit. / Right: She wears a beige turtleneck sweater with metallic trousers. Leather bag and heels add a little glamour and make the transition from day to evening. (Photo: The book Parisian Chic Encore via mylittlebird.com)
De la Fressange says:
“It all comes down to knowing how to mix things up.” (The book “Parisian Chic Encore“)

Two of the combinations suggested under ‘killer outfits‘ heading in the book: Left: The workday combo / Right: The ‘total mix’ combo, which I found quite jolly – a leather jacket with a light flower-print dress and flat shiny sandals... (Photo: booktopa.com.au)

The basics you need in your closet for a Parisian style are named as: a man’s coat, a trench, a navy blue sweater, a tank top, a little black dress, jeans and a leather jacket. Along with tips for makeup, hair and skin care, ‘beauty faux pas‘ are listed like too much concealer / foundation. Top perfume, hair salon and cosmetics spots are also mentioned.

Left: What a Parisian’s shoe collection includes (Ballet flats are as important as black heels for a Parisienne. You can find details about the shoes and where to find them.) / Right: A jolly combination I liked. Silver sandals are said to take the look from basic to sophisticated and from day to evening. (Photos I took by my mobile phone from the book “Parisian Chic Encore“)

Pages from the book – Styling tips (Image: amazon.com)
(The book Parisian Chic has inspired me such that a couple of weeks ago, I found myself buying a pair of silver sandals and wearing it under jeans for a dinner outside – putting on a leather jacket over! It was a nice combination and I received compliments – owing to this jolly book!)

“Thalie” (223, rue Saint-Jacques) and “Moulié” (8 Place du Palais Bourbon) flower shops, counted among the top florists in Paris in the book Parisian Chic Encore (Photos: myfrenchlife.org / mollie.fr)

It says in the book “To stay young, stay light-hearted“. Suggestions “to stay beautiful for a lifetime” are listed – like “smell good, be indulgent and less self-centered, smile, be passionate, do things you enjoy, accept that there will be bad days” …

Loulou – a pleasant restaurant in Tuileries Garden, inside the ‘Musée des Arts Décoratifs’, with a wonderful terrace offering views of the Louvre / Bread&Roses – a charming bakery near the Luxembourg Gardens offering lunch with excellent quiches, salads and other stuff (both places recommended in the Parisian Chic book) (Photos: access.sb / signature-saintgermain.com (Website of Hotel Signature))

Giraffe restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower is recommended in the Parisian chic book as an ideal place to bring foreign friends passing through Paris. Reservations are said to be essential. (Photo: parisselectbook.com)

A dining area and the bar of the legendary Lapérouse Restaurant, on the Left Bank of the Seine, reopened in 2019 after a renovation. In the nineteenth century, this restaurant had been popular with Baudelaire, Zola, Maupassant, Jules Verne, Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo and other thinkers. (The book Parisian Chic Encore) (Photos: architecturaldigest.com)

CoCo restaurant attached to the Opéra Garnier, Paris – with The Great Gatsby style decor and a nice garden terrace within the Opéra / The courtyard of Ralph’s restaurant of Ralph Lauren store in Saint-Germain – American chic where you can have burgers and crabcakes (Both restaurants are recommended in the book.) (Photos: restaurant-coco.com / ralphlauren.com.au)
(You can find many more Parisian addresses and Parisian tips in the book “Parisian Chic Encore”.)

In an interview I read in Paris Match, Mathilde Favier, head of PR at Dior Couture, describes the Parisian bistro (Le Bistrot Parisien) as such:
“In Paris, a bistro is, above all, a place where you are greeted, seated at “your” table, and served your favorite dish without you having to order it…” (translated from Paris Match, No: 3909)

“Le Voltaire” bistro (27 Quai Voltaire, 7th), with classic dishes like foie gras, steak frites, duck confit, and chocolate mousse – in the building where once writer Voltaire lived. (Photo: goglobalite.com) (praised by Mathilde Favier in the interview in Paris Match)

Inside bistro Le Voltaire, with velvet curtains, frequented by people like Vogue Editor Anna Wintour (Photo: goop.com)

“Ines de la Fresssange, Paris” – The boutique of Ines de la Fressange with her clothing collection, everyday and decorative objects / Ines de la Fresssange, the co-author of Parisian Chic Encore, in her boutique (24, rue de Grenelle, Paris), 2017 (Photos: inesdelafressange.fr / marieclaire.fr)

Photo: (istockphoto.com)

Funny and inspiring, both “How To Be Parisian: Wherever You Are” and “Parisian Chic Encore!” books are pleasant sources for a style à la parisienne.

Marion Cotillard (smh.com.au) / Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu starring as Sylvie Grateau in ‘Emily in Paris‘ series (journaldesfemmes.fr)

I would like to finish this post with a Parisian quote I’ve liked :
“Trust firmly in your luck, cling to your happiness and dare to take risks. They will see you and learn to accept you.” (by René Char via the book “How To Be Parisian: Wherever You Are“)

Note: For more details about Paris you may check my older post titled:
“Paris – Always A Good Idea” (click for the post).