18 French Things And Designs For The Best Decorations
France is a country in Western Europe with villages and beaches, and the capital city is Paris, known for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Champs-Elysees and more. France is also generally a safe country.
Like other countries, French culture is interesting and it is worthwhile to learn French as it will be useful, especially if you want to travel there.
It's quite easy to learn French, especially if you are dedicated and want to really learn it. The best way to learn French is to practice every day, even a little; have fun with it and immerse yourself in French movies and books.
I've always liked French since I was young and learn French all throughout primary school to high school. As I am not French, this is my personal opinion and I am not trying to say that this is all they are; this is simply beautiful though cliche designs and things that could give a nice, aesthetic French look.
If you're like me and enjoy French things, here are some great ideas to draw for art, paintings, or wall or desk decorations. You can turn these things into stickers, badges or other designs. Similarly, these are great to put on a birthday card for someone who loves French, or perhaps have a French-themed party. While French things have a great aesthetic, I love the culture as well.
18 French things and designs for art, decor and parties:
1. The Eiffel Tower
The most French thing is the Eiffel Tower. It's a classic monument and great for any decoration, whether you want to draw it on a birthday card, hang a picture of it on the wall or even have a mini figurine of it on your desk (I have two and they make my shelf beautiful).
Furthermore, the shape of the Eiffel Tower can be used for many things including cookies or a cake (great for a French-themed party), a book mark or nail designs.
The Eiffel Tower is a landmark in Paris, France, and was started being built in 1887 to be one of the main attractions for the Paris' World Fair in 1889 and commemorates the centennial of the French Revolution. Furthermore, the Eiffel Tower became a symbol of love for people around the world.
2. Arc de Triomphe
Another famous symbol of France is the Arc de Triomphe. You would have seen it a lot because it's famous for many things happening around it, including the Tour de France bicycle race and the military parade for Bastille Day (French National Day).
Similar to the Eiffel Tower, it'll make an aesthetic framed picture on the wall or as a small cardboard cutout for a cheaper version. This will make your house more gorgeous with the French theme.
The Arc de Triomphe is a famous landmark in Paris, France, located at the Western end of the Champs-Elysees at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle and was built to honour the French army who died in the French Revolution and Napoleon Wars. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is buried under the Arc de Triomphe from World War I.
3. Croissant
Something that the French are known for is their cuisine, such as the croissant. Not only is it delicious, but it'll make cute decor designs on a card, collage or simple painting. I have a small plushie croissant that brightens up my desk.
A croissant is a buttery and flaky pastry in a crescent shape that is associated with France but comes from Austria. Croissants are great to eat with chocolate or cream.
4. Cheese
Of course, you can't think of France without delicious cheese, which is one of my favourite foods. This is a must-have at French-themed parties or any gathering really, especially in a platter with crackers and other food. You can also add cheese (camembert for instance) to your French art collage or as a pretty doodle.
Cheese is a dairy product made from milk and there are many types. The most popular and tastiest cheeses include mozzarella, Asiago, blue cheese, brie, camembert, cheddar and more. The most expensive cheese is pule donkey cheese and the healthiest are mozzarella and blue cheese.
5. Wine
Indeed, for adults, wine is quite popular and sometimes associated with French. The iconic wine glass is very easy to draw to add a touch of the simple French theme to your art drawing or painting that will make your wall or desk more sophisticated. Additionally, it's perfect to draw on an invitation.
Wine is an alcoholic beverage usually made from fermented grapes and there are many types. Some good, popular wines are Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose.
6. Beret
A common French fashion accessory is a beret. I think it looks good and is fashionable, especially for women. You can wear it for French-themed occasions. Adding a beret to your drawing can make it cute and French although there are different types of berets.
A beret is a soft, round and almost flat hat made of felt or cloth, often associated with France and Spain. Berets were first worn in 1889 by the French military and later, Western people wore them for sportswear and then fashion in the 1920s. Furthermore, a beret symbolises the military authority or simplicity of the French.
As berets have been worn in everyday life by the public for a long time in many countries, notably European ones, I don't think it would be offensive but some people may find it to be since it's also worn in the military. So now, anyone can wear a beret.
7. Macarons
Another well-known treat from France is the macaron, not to be confused with a macaroon. They are delicious (perfect for French-style parties) and a great decoration for art, stickers, cards, collages and more. Moreover, macarons have been in trend worldwide and work nicely for a plushie, squishy or cushion. I even have macaron erasers that I hardly use but they make my desk look fancier.
A macaron, also known as a French macaroon, is a sweet dessert made out of meringue for the top and bottom and includes egg white, icing sugar, almond meal and food colouring. It's hard to make macarons, especially with getting the texture right and just a bit chewy and soft with a light crust. Macarons are expensive because they are difficult to make and the ingredients are pricey.
The difference between macarons and macaroons is that the main ingredient for macarons is almond meal whereas the main ingredient for macaroons is shredded coconut.
8. Baguette
Like the croissant, the French are loved for their bread and pastries, including baguettes. On its own, it might not look the best but I think it adds a great French touch to anything. You could put it in a French collage, painting or make a cute drawing of it. Additionally, it's really simple and easy to draw.
French people have stated that there are many bakeries in France as they love their bread.
A baguette is a long, narrow bread loaf with a crispy outside that originates from France. It's different to bread as it doesn't have added oil or fat. Baguettes are hard because they dry up quicker. They are best eaten in slices with spreads such as butter or cream cheese.
9. French words
Ultimately, you can't forget about the beautiful French language, which can make things aesthetic. A popular saying that I love is 'C'est la vie', which means 'that is life' or 'such is life' and while many people think it's negative, I always thought of it as a positive carefree attitude.
One of my other favourite inspirational French sayings is 'tout est bien qui finit bien' which literally means 'all's well that ends well', just like the English meaning.
These quotes look best in a simple framed picture for your wall for elegance or maybe as a print or sewing on a pillow. Moreover, I think it'll suit your house theme if the colours match.
10. The French flag
The French flags and the French colours (blue, white and red) are great symbols for their country and can be used in various decor or art. For example, you can paint the flag creatively in art for your wall or desk or paint the colours in a different shape or object like the Eiffel Tower. Additionally, you could use the colours for cupcakes for a French party.
The French flag is known as Tricolore (three colours) and is made of three vertical stripes, blue (representing nobility), white (representing clergy) and red (representing bourgeois) but the colours now represent liberty, equality, democracy and modernisation for the French Revolution's values.
11. A moustache
Maybe it's a bit cliche (well, these all are) but a moustache can add a French touch and a humourous look to make you smile. My friend even has a moustache as her profile picture and I received a packet of fake moustaches from a French competition. Therefore, it can spice up your costume to a French party or the design can look good anywhere for wall or desk paintings, drawings or pillows.
A moustache is the strip of facial hair grown above your upper lip and the word moustache comes from the French language. While it's often spelt mustache in the United States, other countries usually use moustache. Notably, a moustache is not a beard as a moustache is only on the upper lip and the beard grows on other parts of the face.
12. The Starry Night
The French have lots of famous paintings and this one is one of the most known. If you're making an invitation for a French party, it'll look the best with this printed on it. Furthermore, you can use the painting idea for your art inspiration and it'll make your room more beautiful and artsy.
The Starry Night is a painting by Vincent van Gogh in 1889 using oil on canvas to illustrate a night view of Saint-Remy-de-Provence about Vincent van Gogh and his feelings, memories and imagination. As one of Vincent van Gogh's most famous paintings, it is worth over 100 million dollars.
The story behind Starry Night is that Vincent van Gogh painted it from a mental asylum room where he was getting better from his mental illness and ear amputation and the black things in Starry Night are cypress trees, which represent death and later, Vincent van Gogh's suicide.
13. Lace
While lace isn't the most French thing, I think it sometimes gives a French feel, especially surrounded by white and simple, elegant designs. It gives a subtle French atmosphere and looks good as a table cover, wall sheet, curtain lining, coasters and more. However, I think too much or too frilly can make it look old-fashioned so I think simplicity looks best with linings or bits of it.
Similarly, cliche French fashion can be thought of with stripes or a bandana tied around your neck. So if you need a costume for a French party, these are perfect ideas - I particularly like stripes as a less obvious French design that goes well in every day with many outfits.
Lace is a fragile material fabric with an open, transparent pattern design that was made out of silk but is now often made with cotton thread, yarn and more. Lace symbolises chastity and debauchery.
The best type of lace is French lace due to its breathability and it lasts long. Ultimately, good lace is expensive because it is time-consuming and difficult to work with, and good quality lace is soft, thick, pretty and has gentle curves.
14. Eclair
As another French food, eclairs are a great dessert that will make your French party more delicious. Alternatively, it's a simple, pretty design that would look good on a French collage for a birthday card, desk picture or more.
An eclair is a long pastry made out of choux dough with a filling of cream inside and chocolate icing on top. It's called an eclair because the French word 'eclair' means 'flash of lighting' and you eat it in a flash.
An eclair is different to cream puffs as eclairs are oblong and cream puffs are round with whipped cream and no chocolate.
15. Madeleine
Indeed, the French have amazing cuisine and I can't get enough of their sweets. It's also nice how it has an iconic shape. Not only is this delicious for French gatherings or ordinary days but the design is once again suitable for art or cute French doodles.
A madeleine or petite madeleine is a small traditional sponge cake shaped like a shell and is from Commercy and Liverdun in Lorraine, France. They are usually eaten hot with a coffee in the morning or for afternoon tea in French markets.
Contrary to some thoughts, a madeleine is not a cookie but it is a cake.
16. The Louvre
Of course, the Louvre is one of France's most well-known landmarks. So, you can definitely include the picture on an invitation, at your French party or frame it for your wall to make it feel like you're in France.
The Louvre is a famous museum on the right of the Seine in Paris, France. It's famous because it used to be a royal palace for French kings in the 16th and 17th centuries and became a public museum in the French Revolution and it has the Mona Lisa, a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci.
It's a great place to visit as you can take pictures. Additionally, it takes 40 minutes to go through the Louvre as a tourist said but you can spend days wandering and looking around.
17. Creme Brulee
Another food is creme brulee, a dessert I have often. Therefore, it's tasty to eat any day and it looks elegant and stylish. With a good quality photo of it, it could even look good on your desk, though it might make you feel hungry.
A creme brulee is a sweet, rich custard-based dessert with hard caramelised sugar on top and it originates from France and the United Kingdom. It is made of the sugar on top and the custard, which is mainly made of eggs, heavy cream, sugar and vanilla.
Therefore, creme brulee is unhealthy due to all the sugar, cream and other ingredients. It's so popular in France as it symbolised self-indulgence in the 1980s.
18. French scooter
Finally, a scooter is a cliche thing you might think of when you think of French. In a search for French things, an aesthetic collage of French items included a red scooter. I think it adds nice colour and variety to the other assortment of things that are mainly food.
With a French city vibe, it'll be great for an art print on your wall or having a mini figurine of it on your desk will look amazing (I really want one). Similarly, bicycles or unicycles are popular in France and look good as well.
In France, electric scooters with free-floating have been a popular to get around. A scooter and moped are similar but a scooter has a stronger, faster motor. Additionally, you can drive a moped in France once you're 14 years old. They're easy to ride and cheap too.