We are going to visit an elderly French couple in Nimes that hosted our daughter ten years ago while she was on a French Study program in college. I cannot think of an appropriate gift to bring, that's easily carried and not too expensive. Any suggestions?

Not sure what you're thinking of for budget, but I think a small framed print (or photograph)is a nice gift. It could be of a scene in your part of the world.
I have received a couple from foreign exchange students in the past and I appreciate them so much. This is also the kind of thing I try to buy as souvenirs as well.

I have always found that the French appreciate a book showing photos of the part of the world where YOU live - a coffee table-type book, but it doesn't have to be huge or heavy.

Another suggestion might be some kind of food (we know the French love food) that is special to your part of the world).

Thank you for your suggestions. Since I live in So. Calif. it will be easy to find beautiful coffee table books on our area. I'm not too sure yet what kinds of food are special to our area but it will be fun to shop and see what I can find.

I, too, live in So. Cal. I find See's candy is appreciated in France. I have gotten requests for it. Easy to carry and not especially expensive.

I think the book idea is a great one! Not so sure about food, however. I'd take the book and a lovely bouquet, the traditional gift for hosts.

I think flowers are a no-no if your hostess is the cook.
She'll have to rush around finding a vase to do your flowers justice but sending them after, IMHO is a good idea.

And treasure that visit. A wonderful response to your generosity of a decade ago. It's no small, casual matter to be invited into a French home -- it means you're welcome in these folks' lives!

But Mimi, doesn't the food just appear -- even though the host doesn't quite know "where the kitchen is."

Oops! Meant to say the hosts. And the food always does seem to effortlessly appear.

Lol...well. I do watch my friends cook but not that magically appear. but one friend's husband always grills fish on the outside fireplace.( I prefer fish)
But eat my other friend's wild boar that he catches on his hunts.

If you're invited into the kitchen you are definitely friends for life, and you'd better not forget it!

I know Dave, I'm very lucky!
after 9-11 they phoned us.

cigalechanta, thanks for the self-justification, I always feel like such an ingrate: I'm up to my elbows
in cooking, and a well-meaning dinner guest arrives with flowers that require a vase (usually of a shape I don't own), or with a dessert or side dish that requires a platter or serving utensil that I didn't plan on. I smile and try to look grateful, but mostly I feel exasperated. I think it's just that they are not cooks themselves.

If the coffee table book is too heavy (any chance you can order from amazon uk and ship it?) then I think local candy or jams/fruit butters, or other such treats would be also welcome.

I sent an art book to Provence that was too heavy. It cost $25 to mail

Elaine,

I'd rather not have a dinner guest bring flowers because there's hardly room in the apartment for them! But I don't recall ever running into a flustered host-hostess-cook in these parts -- except for myself! I've been told, though have not polled, that a food gift is a bit of an affront. (Though I am regularly forgiven for a lot of American faux pas. (What's the plural of that?