First and foremost, let's consider nice little French handbags in bright colours. I have one word for you: Longchamp. There is a range of handbags called "Le pliage", so named because they are made of folding canvas. The smallest size is pounds 36, the medium size is pounds 44:50 and the large size is pounds 48. The bags can be cleaned with soap and water and it's even possible to get them designed to your specifications and shipped out from the company via their website, adding a shipping cost (the cost of shipping one item - Euros 12) - the website address is www.eboutiquelongchamp.com. Longchamp also have a store at 28 New Bond Street, phone number 020 7493 5515.

Finally, for leaving that alluring vapour trail behind you, step into Liberty's perfume hall on Regent Street, and check the latest greatest in French perfume. Particularly noteworthy is the latest Guerlain scent, "L'instant de Guerlain", which smells of mandarin and bergamot, comprises notes of magnolia and also has a vanilla, benzoin and musk accord. A new sort of perfume has been created, "l'ambre cristallin" and the three accords can be smelled variously over time on the skin. What is particularly attractive is the way that the picture in the ad campaign, of a woman's low-backed dress, is mirrored in the shape of the bottle. The 30ml bottle of perfume is pounds 31, and the accompanying body lotion and shower gel are pounds 27:50 and pounds 22:50 respectively. Good for Christmas is the gift set of eau de parfum (50ml) and body lotion, which come in a beautiful coffret at pounds 44.

Liberty sells all manner of fragrances from France, including Creed, the historic royal perfumer, and has particularly nice and patient assistants on hand. Another new perfume for this season is the fragrance by Lanvin, "�clat d'Arpège." This starts at pounds 35 for a beautiful purple bottle of light yet lasting scent, resting on base notes of musk after a fresh and flowery start, which includes lemon, lilac, peach flower and green tea. The scent was made to do homage to the original Arpège, which was created to symbolize the relationship between mother and daughter.