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MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #3: City and Country.

Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris.

A Glimpse of Paris

A rail trip to Normandy in the north of France in the late days of May was spent in the typical French countryside. Sudden and unplanned, it was a journey to a place I have visited a few times, so it was familiar and both restorative and hectic at the same time. The countryside was green with crops and the cherry trees were with fruit. Although there were rain clouds in the distance, the fickle spring weather remained fair. 

Related articles with photographs:

A brief departure from Paris: a train trip to rural Romilly

From Paris to Romilly: a French journey beyond the tourist map

Cherries are cherries

Making my peace … with walking in rural France

The journey back to Paris from Romilly

On My Nightstand

The Exchange by John Grisham (2023) – This best-selling author’s books are generally not on my nightstand, but this one was given to me, and it’s the follow-on novel to The Firm (2010), the book that launched Grisham’s career.  (Pick up a copy here).

 

In My Writer’s Bag

Lead pencils are always in my writer’s bag. Generally, I prefer pencils made in Germany, such as Staedtler graphite pencils, because the wood is from certified, sustainably managed forests and the lead is break resistant. (Get pencils here.)

Little Pleasures

I carry a lightweight cotton tote bag with me, which is convenient for shopping. I have a range of them, including one from the Paris 2024 Olympics with the mascot on it. Usually, I use one from my own merchandise, such as one with a picture of the Eiffel Tower from Rue Edmond Valentin in Paris. (Find it on my portfolio site here.)

Paris Details

French macarons are the ever-popular meringue-based dessert, well-loved by almost everyone. I don’t eat them often, but they are a nice mouthful when I feel like a treat.

In 2022, when Parisian businesses were re-opening, I went to a cooking class to learn how to make the French macaron. I was only one in the class because tourists, who love taking cooking courses in the city of food, had not yet returned to Paris in large numbers. I chose Le Foodist because it has a great reputation and it’s centrally located in the Latin Quarter. It offers classes from pastry-making (including the famous French baguettes) to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free cooking classes, as well as market tours and wine tasting in Paris. (Find Le Foodist here and the best-seller French Macarons for Beginners here.)

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Postcard From Paris

I’ve chosen a postcard photograph from the fields of rural Romilly in France taken at the end of May 2025 during my holiday and one from the streets of Paris the morning after rain showers taken in April 2024. Find merchandise of the Romilly postcard here or here and the Paris pink puddle here or here.)

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Until Next Time

Thank you for being here.

À bientôt,

Martina

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A forgotten French treasure by Jean-Adrien Mercier.

I found a treasure in a Parisian bric-a-brac fair. Tucked between antique poetry volumes and faded black-and-white portraits on a table, a dreamy blue hardcover book caught my eye: young girl in powdered curls gazing downward, a robin perched like a crown in her hair, surrounded by blossoms. The title? Simply: DIKI.

But this is no ordinary children’s book.

The book is a portal into the lost world of Jean-Adrien Mercier (1899-1995), the celebrated French illustrator and visual storyteller. He wrote and illustrated Diki, the Enchanted Robin in 1945.

Read more: A forgotten French treasure by Jean-Adrien Mercier

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Born in 1899 in Angers, France, Jean-Adrien Mercier was a prolific illustrator, graphic artist, and master of whimsy. From 1925 to 1939, he created more than 110 movie posters and advertisements for companies such as Castellane (champagne), Cointreau (liqueur), Isigny (butter), Menier (chocolate), and more. From 1942, he also began illustrating books, particularly for children, and became a home decorator. In 1961, the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique commissioned him to decorate the children’s playroom on the ocean liner France. His wife Yvonne Delfandre, whom he married in 1927, and his daughter Sylvie, born in 1934, were his inspirations and models for his illustrations of women. At the age of 80, he decorated ceramics and designed a dinner service for Villeroy & Boch with a balloon theme to commemorate the second centenary of the hot air balloon, and the following year, a circus-themed dinner service.

While best known for his vivid Art Deco posters for French cinema, Diki, the Enchanted Robin was written for 7-9-year-olds with elegant, fantastical, and distinctly French illustrations. Diki may be his most magical creation. 

In the story, Diki, is a small robin and no ordinary bird. Diki arrives in the life of a lonely young girl named Rosalie, whose days are filled with duty, silence, and a sense of being unseen. One winter morning, Diki appears on her windowsill with a message from the heart of the forest:

“All those who forget to dream grow heavy and grey. But you, Rosalie, still have a song inside you.”

What follows is a poetic journey where Diki helps Rosalie unlock hidden doors: to nature, kindness, and her own courage. The robin becomes a messenger between worlds – between earth and sky, child and adult, sorrow and delight.

They dance in the snow in a hidden grove of singing trees, with Rosalie wearing a crown, not of gold, but of petals and trust.

Diki reminds us of something precious: that enchantment is not escapism. It’s awakening.

Jean-Adrien Mercier’s piece of “visual poetry” with delicate, pastel illustrations was followed by volume two in 1955.

Long out of print and now a sought-after collector’s item, Diki, the Enchanted Robin is rarely found outside European vintage book markets.

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MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #1: Writing & Little Pleasures in Paris.

Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris.

In each post, I’ll bring you with me on morning walks, market finds, creative breakthroughs, and of course, the small, beautiful tools that help me live and write in Paris. Sometimes the tools will be the perfect pen, a novel from a bouquiniste (bookseller), or the watercolors I’ve found on Rue de Rennes. Think of it as a bit of a journal, or recommendations list, or a window into everyday Paris creativity.

A Glimpse of Paris

May has been a productive month as I worked on publications for my Rainy Day Healing website and practice, launching the Moon, Mood, and Mind Mapping Tracker and Tranquility Mapping. Tranquility Mapping helps individuals, families, educators, office planners, wellness practitioners, and anyone create a visual representation of calm corners, peaceful places, and restorative spaces – and to improve existing spaces to bring peace into people’s surroundings – in a room, garden, home, school, office, or anywhere. Next, I’m developing a Tranquility Mapping workshop.

Taking my own advice, I have been visiting one of my restorative spaces more often – the Petite Ceinture – Little Belt – an unused railway track that is now a nature strip for walking, running, or just enjoying nature. (My article with photographs and a video is here.) 

On My Nightstand

France: The Monocle Handbook (July 2024) – A gift from a Parisian friend of favourite places to stay, eat, shop, and visit across France. I always keep it on my nightstand because I use it as a reference book or inspiration to plan my list of things to do. I featured it in the first edition of Martina’s French Ways and it was requested to add it again in this edition. (Find it on Amazon here.)

 

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín – This is a New York Times bestselling novel and recommended to me by a friend. Out of order, I read the author’s book 2 in the Ellis Lacey series, Long Island, before Brooklyn. With my Celtic roots, I tend to read a lot of Irish and Welsh literature and I love the work of Colm Tóibín. (Pick up a copy here.) 

In My Writer’s Bag

Eco Design Notebook – This is a small eco-friendly spiral-bound graphed notebook, made in Ukraine, that I bought either in Ukraine or in Georgia. It’s small and great to write words, phrases, and grammar in as I attempt to learn French. The original notebook is from Shkolyaryk Publishing House which means “Schoolboy.” (The Publishing House website is here.)

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Beck Sondergaard Credit Card Holders – In Paris, I bought two 4”x6” Danish leather credit card holders, lined with cotton fabric. They have two spaces for cards and a zip pouch at the back. They are well-used and I love them. (Available here.)

Little Pleasures

Paul Smith + Caran d’Ache Metal Box – A handy 2.5”x7.5” metal box that I found in a stationery shop in Paris. I use it as a pencil case. This is a collaboration by Paul Smith Paris and the House of Caran d’Ache, a Swiss manufacturing company. (Find it on Amazon here.)

Paris Details

I visited the exhibition of French artist Xavier Lafitte who works with paint, but he mainly sketches fine pencil drawings of animals. It was the animals that drew me to the exhibition, and once there, I noticed how detailed his drawings are. Below, I’ve included his drawing of a bee and other insects on a flower. His black-and-white sketches are large and usually circular with animals around the circumference with a centrepiece. 

Postcard From Paris

I sent a Paris souvenir postcard to a friend in Australia inside this “busy” pictured envelope identical to the postcard. She liked the envelope, but she said the postage stamps covered part of the Arc de Triomphe. She peeled off the stamps to reveal the full image to keep both matchy-matchy postcard and envelope. I think it means that it was a success.

Until Next Time

I expect to post editions of Martina’s French Ways twice a month. 

Thank you for being here.

À bientôt,

Martina

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MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #1: Writing & Little Pleasures in Paris.

Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a new corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris.

Many of you have asked: What does a day in your Paris life look like? What inspires you? Where do you write? Do you draft in cafés with a chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) beside you? Do you buy notebooks? I answered many questions in my novel If Paris Were My Lover but the questions continue. This new section is for you.

In each post, I’ll bring you with me on morning walks, market finds, creative breakthroughs, and of course, the small, beautiful tools that help me live and write in Paris. Sometimes the tools will be the perfect pen, a novel from a bouquiniste (bookseller), or the watercolors I’ve found on Rue de Rennes. Think of it as a bit of a journal, or recommendations list, or a window into everyday Paris creativity.

A Glimpse of Paris

This May morning brought me into the café 15 minutes before it opened. I slipped in and took my usual seat, where I set out my notebook, computer, glasses, and newspaper before the waiters – who have already greeted me – bring my first coffee. 

On My Nightstand

France: The Monocle Handbook (July 2024) – A gift from a Parisian friend of favourite places to stay, eat, shop, and visit across France. (Find it on Amazon here)

 

A Moveable Feast (Paris est une fête) by Ernest Hemingway – A reread this week. It’s hard not to feel aligned with his love for the city. (Pick up a copy here)

French Lavender Sachet – Little lavender-scented sachets to help me rest and sleep. (Available here)

In My Writer’s Bag

La Mansio Bag – Big enough to hold a computer and notebooks, and versatile as a handbag that converts to a backpack. (Available here)

Chateau de Chambord Pen – A friend gifted me a ball point pen with a gold crown from the United Kingdom and I found one on my visit to the Chambord Castle in the Loire Valley of France. (Get a similar one here)

Lined Spiral Notebook – I use my own lined or graphed notebooks (6″x8′ with 120 pages) with my own photographs on the cover. This cover photograph was taken at the Luxembourg Garden in the 6^th arrondissement of Paris on a misty autumn day. (Available here)

Little Pleasures

Wedo Handheld Magnifying Glass – A handy German-made magnifying glass with LED light that I use when having difficulty with fine print. Café diners often ask me where they can purchase one. I found it in a stationery shop in Paris. (Find it on Amazon here)

Paris Details

By the Church of Saint-Sulpice the rental company Les Manèges Sellier installed a carousel for the weekend. It was the “Carousel Palace 1900” eight metres tall and 11 metres wide with 66 seats. The top banners have images of iconic structures around the world – Eiffel Tower, London Bridge, Taj Mahal, and Rome’s Colosseum, etc. I love carousels and Paris has many across the city. 

Postcard From Paris

I’ll begin with an old postcard, that I have had for four years, of the infamous La Coupole American Bar & Brasserie in the 14^th arrondissement of Paris which opened on 20 December 1927. It shows one of the 33 art deco pillars in the large hall of the brasserie painted by 27 artists, including students of Henri Matisse.  

Until Next Time

On my way home, I’ll stop by La Poste to post a letter to a friend in Australia and a postcard to my cousin in Germany. I have articles planned during the May days and an art gallery visit next week.

I expect to post editions of Martina’s French Ways twice a month. 

Thank you for being here.

À bientôt,

Martina

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