Adorable French Things You "Have to Have"

Nothing makes me happier than when I stumble into a boutique and find something to add to my repertoire of adorable French things (from both classic and pop culture). These past few weeks I have come across some really cute things and I want to share them with you! Click on the thumbnail image to purchase the product.

République française tee
I thought this t-shirt would be a really cute way to show you love France! It features the country's official logo, with the image of Marianne, the motto "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" underneath, and "Republique Française" underneath. Now you know what to wear next Bastille Day!

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Eiffel Tower & the Trocadéro
This beautiful luscious print comes in a variety of sizes. It is a picture of the Tower at the Exposition Universal in 1900 in Paris. I just love the lighting and colors on this print!

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Joie de Vivre tote
I am a big fan of fleur de lys, and I love ones that are a little abstract and artful. This tote bag comes in a bunch of styles, all bearing this trip of red and blue elongated fleur de lys. Underneath it says "Joie de vivre." This would be cute to take to the marketplace or shopping!

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Astérix & Obélix 3D Magnet
This 3D lenticular magnet made of the stuff you loved as a kid: when you move, the image appears to move as well! It's like watching a clip of an Astérix & Obélix cartoon! If you have kids, they will love it! A great way to get them into French culture!

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Paris Arch Print
This print of the Arc de Triomphe really caught my eye because the picture was taken at an interesting angle, and the graphic effects are really stellar! It almost look like a comic book image. I like how the Arc takes up most of the image.

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Neuhaus Tintin in America Chocolates
Yum yum yum! This round tin featuring an image from Tintin in America has four bars of chocolate inside - each with a different image from the bande dessinée! When you're done, the tin makes a great keepsake. This would be a great gift for a fellow francophile or Tintin lover.

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Milou Plush Dog
I saw this plush dog from Tintin in a cute French-y boutique a few years ago and decided not to buy it, but I later regretted it. I didn't realize this was a rare find in the US and that I would have trouble finding the dog again. It is now listed on Amazon.com, but it's constantly going in and out of stock, so pounce on it while it's available! If it's not, bookmark the link and keep checking back.

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Jolie Speaks French Doll
I have (actually make that had - I can't locate it at the moment) this doll, and I have used it to help kids learn French. Little girls love it! The doll says a bunch of phrases in English and French when you press her hands or her heart (at which point she says "Je t'aime"). There is a male doll for boys available as well.

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ParisSmarts Game
This is another great gift idea. It features 60 question and answer cards about, what else, Paris. If that's not enough, there is also a 24-page travel guide by Gourmet magazine included.

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LEGO Eiffel Tower
This is quite possibly the coolest thing LEGO has ever invented. It is built to scale (1:300) and is very intricately detailed - there are even elevators! When it's all finished, it stands at an impressive 42.5"! Be sure to set aside lots of time to complete this project.