Best Gift Ideas For Francophiles

Do you know someone who is enamored with all things French? I’m pretty sure we all know at least one someone who adores and may {or may not} be obsessed with all French antiques!  Today I’m sharing some of our favorite gifts that we’ve discovered recently, beautiful and chic treasures to dazzle and delight someone you love on your gift list. They’re the best gift ideas for Francophiles. These are luxury gifts, so only for those who have been very VERY good!

 

Each one is a quintessential gift nearly any Francophile would love to receive.   If you fall in love with something for yourself, perhaps your secret Santa will jump for joy at the gift suggestion?    Joyeux Noël!

 

 

Best Gift Ideas For Francophiles-

 

1. FRENCH ENAMELWARE.

 

 

French Enamelware comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors. If you adore the softer side of the holidays, might I suggest an antique French enameled candleholder? These simple candle holders add so much ambience & character to a room. This one is a rare to find lavender purple color. See more delightful antique and vintage gifts.

 

2. GILT MIRRORS.

 

 

These exquisite Antique Rococco Gilt Mirrors with a crest on the top and carved naturalistic details surrounding the glass will transform any area in your home. They date to the late 18th, very early 19th century, and are so versatile. They look equally at home in a formal or more casual setting. Stunning aged patina, with all the signs of age you want to see.

 

3. VINTAGE FRENCH FLATWARE.

 

 

Stunning Vintage French Silver Plate Dinner Fork & Knife Set for 6 made in France by Ercuis is sure to sparkle up your table. This luxury quality silverware is a treasure to welcome to your home, whether purchased new or sourced at a brocante like this set. {the price of vintage is a steal!!} Founded by Adrien Celeste Pillon in 1867 in Ercuis, France, it has been world-renowned for it’s classic and luxurious silver.

 

4. FRENCH COUNTRY LINENS.

 

 

Always an exceptional beginning for a sparkling holiday table, this antique damask tablecloth serves up French charm with monograms, and a woven in border of roses and holly leaves.  Bring the magic of the holidays to your table {or a friend’s table} with any of our Antique French Country Linens.

 

5. FRENCH PAINTING.

 

 

Bring some old world charm to your home with an antique French painting or print.This antique French oil painting on a wood panel is of a sweet young woman with a basket filled with beautiful flowers from the garden. An original oil painting, painted with skill on wooden board, mid 19th century. Romantic in nature, the beautiful mademoiselle is picking flowers of every kind, she holds a single rose and is sure to delight!

 

6. ANTIQUE NORMANDY LACE PILLOW CASE.

Antique and vintage linens are a way to connect to the past, and the skilled needlewomen who created these works of art. This exceptional Antique French Normandy Lace Boudoir Pillow Case has stunning white hand embroidery on the Fond De Bonet insert. Lovely fine tissue linen with elegant tambour lace, white work embroidery, and French valenciennes lace worked into the design. Crazy beautiful, the French embroidered net laces, needle-run lace, and hand embroidered fine cotton batiste round insertions take this over the top. This is one of the most sought after of all the hand made antique laces, and it’s no wonder. So rare to find and certainly in this condition.

 

7. ANTIQUE FRENCH PORCELAIN.

 

If setting a gorgeous table is a dream you wish to fulfill, this exceptional French Ch. Pillivuyt et Cie Dinner Service for 8 is just the gift! Made before 1867 this gorgeous service for eight has hand painted 24 kt. gold gilt rims and detailing, with a sweet violet floral garland dancing around the rims. Each piece has the elegant monogram of SVS. Includes 8 dinner plates, 1 stunning vegetable tureen, 1 sauceboat with under-plate, and 2 side vegetable serving dishes.

 

8. FRENCH COUNTRY CULINARY ANTIQUES.

 

 
The Gallic passion for living well – and eating well – has its heart in the country kitchens of France. This French Country antique wooden spoon is hand carved from oak. From France, it was used in a country chateau kitchen, it ‘s large! Hand carved from a single piece of wood, this shows wear and the grace and patina of time and use. Has a history, is a little quirky, and will make your kitchen happy. It’s a special nod to French chefs from long ago. Julia would approve!

 

9. FRENCH RELIGIOUS ANTIQUES.

 

 

Always a favorite, but especially at Christmas time, these devotional antiques bring so much joy during this season. This large hand carved early 19th century Antique Framed French Napoleon III Hand Carved Madonna & Child is a fine heirloom example of the highly skilled art of carving.  Beyond beautiful, this work of art has a Madonna, La Vierge a la Chaise, after the 1514 painting by the Italian renaissance artist Raphael. It depicts Mary embracing the child Christ, while the young John the Baptist devoutly watches.   This still has the original domed glass, quite rare to find in this large size.

 

10. CHILDREN’S ANTIQUES.

 

 

Nothing brings the magic of the season to your home as well as children’s antiques and toys! How much do you love this?  I was delighted to be able to purchase this rare antique French Francois Gaultier Doll on a Steiff Camelto add to our collection of exquisite children’s dolls and toys. He’s exceptional, a French Francois Gaultier Doll Riding on a Steiff Camel Pull Toy, beyond magical! This French Bisque Pull Toy is a Polichinelle. Once a child’s toy that was loved and given with great affection, with blue glass eyes, painted features, closed mouth, and a blond mohair wig. Would love to be part of your Christmas display at home.

 

11. ANTIQUE FRENCH BASKETS.

 

 

This Large Country Market Basket has such a charming traditional design. Hand woven baskets like this were used to take to the daily round of shopping in the village, this one has a beautiful shape. Used on the daily until recently, it has wear and patina. Display this with your collection of antique baskets, to use as storage, or in so many other ways. A fabulous gift when filled with wine, a baguette and some cheeses. Throw in a set of our linen napkins to make this luxe gift complete. French Country antiques always add history and warmth to every space.

 

12. ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER CUFF BRACELET

 

 

If jewelry is what excites you, this Antique Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet from an antique napkin ring, is the most rare and the most exceptional piece in the collection.  With extravagant details of laurel leaf garlands, and an ornate shield with the beautiful script monogram of E G. Exceptional jewelry sparks an emotion, a memory. Like the woman who wears it, this has a story to tell, and a journey that goes along with it.

 

13. FRENCH COUNTRY EARLY TRENCHER.

 

 

Imagine this Antique Early Trencher in your French Country home, on your center island or dining room table filled with apples, greens or seasonal flowering plants. Designer addition to your collection of French Country useful antiques, rare to find of this age. Has all the gorgeous wear you want to see in these old, old dough bowls! {More >French Country antiques to delight your holiday home just in!}

 

14. ANTIQUE GARDEN URN.

 

 

Garden antiques create an environment in your garden or interior you will adore.  If you have an avid gardener or flower lover on your list,  this 19th century French cast iron urn has a classic, traditional design that makes it special. Deep planting well features a drainage hole, this urn will look stunning planted with a boxwood topiary or orchid. Decorative enough to display without anything at all as a work of art.

 

15. BOUDOIR ANTIQUES.

 

 

 

For those who love glamour and the romantic side of French antiques, this signed Engraved Jewelry Box is the perfect gift! The signed Engraved Brass top has a beautiful Pastorale scene engraved on the top. Fine quality, this box has elegant bun feet, floral and scrolling detail on each side, but it is the top that is truly spectacular! The young man is holding a bird, and the young woman is reaching towards the bird. The hand work is astounding, truly a lovely example of an accomplished artist’s work. I’m not sure if this is an antique printing plate with a box made around it, or a box custom made with the engraved top. Signed with the initials A.P. on the engraving and a signature to the left.

 

And finally, if you are still searching for some perfect small French themed gifts:

SHOP OUR LE CADEAU PARFAIT COLLECTION >

 

Et voilà!  I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about some inspiring gifts for your Francophile family and friends. If there is any way we can help you select the perfect thing for someone on your list, please use the “contact us” form, or text or call us.  I hope something from our FrenchGardenHouse is just the right meaningful and thoughtful gift for someone you love.

 

A BIENTOT

 

Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com