Bastille Day: Books and Music

Happy Bastille Day, friends! Can you believe I've been celebrating this French holiday on the blog for 7 years now? In recent years, my favorite way to celebrate has been going into the city to meet up with Alexa to visit Parisian-inspired locations in NYC. This year though, I'm going share my favorite books that take place in Paris (since the last time I shared that was in 2014!) and French songs I adore.

Read these books set in Paris

The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester • This was one of my favorite books from 2018! If you love fashion, historical fiction, Paris, New York City, friendship, and romance, then this book is for you.  

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins • This is an oldie but a goodie and one of my all-time favorites. Isla and Josh's romance is set against the backdrop of some of my favorite cities: New York, Paris, and Barcelona. Of Perkins' Anna and the French Kiss trilogy, Isla is the one I love most. 

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren • Simply put, you must meet Ansel Guillaume -- the incredibly sexy French man who sweeps Mia (and me) off her feet. If you're looking for a steamy romance set in Paris, look no further. 

The Velvet Hours by Alyson Richman • In addition to being drawn to any story set in Paris, I'm also a sucker for grandmother-granddaughter relationships and books inspired by true events. The Velvet Hours has all three elements going for it. 

Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim • This book doesn't come out until next month but if you're in the mood for something light, cute, and a little bit magical, then I highly recommend Roselle Lim's upcoming novel. It made me so nostalgic for my own trip to Paris and had me craving all the pastries too. 

Listen to these French songs

1901 by Phoenix • In case you didn't know, Phoenix is an indie pop band from Versailles, France and one of my favorites. 1901 is about Paris during that year. 

Le prix a payer by Les Shades • I found out about this song thanks to Stephanie Perkins! It was on her Anna & the French Kiss playlist and I was obsessed at first listen.  

Paris by The 1975 • ".. how I'd love to go to Paris again (again, again, again and again). Basically taking the words right out of my mouth. 

Quelqu'un m'a dit by Carla Bruni • It's from the (500) Days of Summer soundtrack and I've always been struck by how lovely the song sounds even though I have no idea what she's saying. 

La Vie En Rose by Daniela Adrade • It's probably safe to say this is the most well-known French song ever and I love this rendition. 

A Waltz for a Night by Julie Delpy • My favorite movie Before Sunset takes place in Paris (unsurprising) and the lead actress sings this song during it. 

Vanille fraise by L'impératrice • It's completely instrumental but there's something to catchy and soothing about it to me. 

Heart of Glass by Nouvelle Vague • Nouvelle Vague is a famous French cover band and this is my favorite cover of theirs. 

Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas) by Regina Spektor • Like all Regina Spektor songs, this is absolutely charming. 

Lost in Paris by Tom Misch, Goldlink • Who doesn't want to be lost in Paris right now? 

French Girls by Swimming With Bears • It's just a fun, catchy tune! Plus I totally wish I was a French girl. 

Sunset Lover by Petit Biscuit • Petit Biscuit is a French DJ and I'm pretty sure this is his most popular song here. It's definitely my favorite os his!

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Hope you find some new books and tunes to listen to! 

Do you have any Paris books and/or French songs to recommend to me?

I'd love to hear them!

And because I'm feeling nostalgic, here's a video 

from my 2019 trip to Paris with Alexa!