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"Atlanta has had its own French Renaissance, or I should say, Explosion," exclaims interior designer Stan Topol. "In the midst of all the confusion of styles and people selling furniture that they are not quite sure of, there are a few - a very few - actual people who not only understand French furniture but also understand French style."

AH&L asked a panel of 20+ designers and stylemakers for their most favorite and unique French finds from around town.

Modern-Day France

Mid-century chairs by French designer Jean Prouve are commanding top dollar at auction (and licensed reproductions are available through Domus), but architect William Carpenter prefers Le Corbusier's classic chaise in black and the forever-in-style side table by Eileen Gray, both from Design Within Reach. For contemporary French style, Christian Liaigre's pieces from Jerry Pair take top marks from several designers, while lamps by Modenature and the new 'French Dot' hand-painted wallpaper by Nama Rococo are Space owner Tim Hobby's latest favorite finds. Roche-Bobois in Buckhead and Ligne Roset in Midtown also offer cutting-edge French style.

Le Corbusierís classic LC4 chaise, $2415; Design Within Reach, (404) 841-2471.

Unique Finds

Atlanta designer Valerie DeRoy, originally from Paris, loves Jacques Garcia's Alexandre accent stools and lyre lantern from Baker Furniture. "So luxurious, and so very French!" she says. For passementerie, DeRoy says that Houles has the best trim collection. "A lot of color choices and great color combinations. They can also be very subtle." Available at Grizzel and Mann, ADAC. She is also a fan of Pierre Frey and especially "loves their boutique next to la place de Furstenberg in Paris' 6th arrondissement." But in Atlanta, she turns to Travis & Company at ADAC for the company's latest designs.

French style has even taken over the kitchen and bath. "I love Herbeau fixtures from Renaissance Tile and Bath," says Kay Douglass, owner of another popular source for French style, South of Market. The newest South of Market shop just opened in Virginia-Highland. Designer Scott Laslie adores the Fermob line of outdoor furniture from Kolo Collection. "Made of steel and aluminum and available in mostly primary colors, it is great for dining and lounging," says Laslie. "A beautiful line!" Shop owner and antiques expert Suzanna Hamilton is drawn to the Terre Melee pottery from Apt, France.  "It is amazing!" Hamilton says. "Each of the incredible pieces goes through a secret process of blending different clays and colors together in order to achieve the most amazingly swirled designs of such intricate nature." Each piece can take up to five days to produce, and they are available through B.D. Jeffries.

Biscuits Roses are a real treat. $6, Star Provisions, (404) 365-0410.

Shop Talk

"Bennett Street has become a Petit Paris the past couple of years," says designer Beth Webb. "There are many Frenchmen on the street. So many, in fact, that on any warm, sunny day there are luncheons at cafe tables in front of the shops with friends and family members, plus a token dog or two. Legendes is a new shop on the street with beautiful Provencale pieces as well as mustards and olive oils. Benjamin Boisson and partners own Foreign Decor under Fratelli di Napolli and have beautiful antiques as well as some extraordinary reproduction pieces." Other recommendations include stalwart Interiors Market for its ever-changing mix of goods, and newcomer Rive Gauche for its armoire collection, which is "especially beautiful, and vast," says DeRoy.

For real French Country antiques that work well in authentic French, eclectic or even modern spaces, architect Peter Block turns to Jacqueline Adams Antiques. "Their stuff feels as good as it looks," he says. Design maverick Dotty Travis continues to set the standard at her new Travis Antiques & Interiors at The Galleries of Peachtree Hills. French finds from the 20th century are converting the most die-hard traditionalists. Swan Antiques and Foxgloves on Miami Circle were other recommendations, and Stan Topol always turns first to Ainsworth-Noah at ADAC and William Word on Miami Circle. Designer Charles Novitsky loves using "simple French farm tables in kitchens and breakfast rooms, and Dearing Antiques on Miami Circle and Holland and Co. at ADAC" are two of his top sources. Incorporating an 18th-century French fauteuil as an accent chair in a contemporary room is a favorite decorating trick of his, and he likes them with a worn painted finish (possibly with gold-leaf accents) and upholstered in simple solid-color fabrics. Where does he find them? Parc Monceau at The Galleries of Peachtree Hills and The Gables on Miami Circle.

Le Creuset can be found in the kitchen of any serious chef, French or otherwise. The company's latest tea kettle is tres chic. Williams-Sonoma, Lenox Square, (404) 812-1703.

Where to Eat

"My favorite things French in Atlanta are the chefs at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead," says philanthropist and fundraiser Sally Dorsey. "Eric Chopin, who is originally from France, has been the executive chef at the hotel in Buckhead for six years. The Ritz serves the best hotel meals in the city - think about the amazing Sunday Brunch. What is not to like?" Chef Eric is a delight to work with for large events as well. The Shepherd Center ball, The Legendary Party, will have the best tasting and most beautiful "ball food" you can imagine, thanks to Eric! Also under Eric's direction is The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton. The (relatively) new chef in The Dining Room kitchen is Arnaud Berthelier, also from France. The Dining Room is the only five-star hotel restaurant in town and probably in the Southeast. The service and the food are tres elegant. When theyíre not stocking their shelves with baby clothes from the famous Paris baby store, Bonpoint, B. Braithwaite owners Nancy and Chaffee Braithwaite head to Joel "for great French fare." Those who longed for Brasserie la Coze after its closing at Lenox Square can now find it under the name of FAB: French American Brasserie at Ivan Allen Plaza downtown. Others recommend Au Pied de Cochon at the Intercontinental Hotel, Buckhead, particularly for the "fantastic foie gras ravioli." Also, Anis Bistro on Grandview Avenue in Buckhead for "great vodka-cured salmon." One final favorite dish is the "Coquille St. Jacques from Little Alley, the most divine tapas restaurant in Roswell." And if you stay home and cook, check out the latest from Le Creuset at Williams-Sonoma at Lenox Square and Perimeter Mall.

This just in —

Stone Age Designs has just begun importing hand-carved stone fireplace mantles from France to its new showroom at the Galleries at Peachtree Hills. "In many cases, we are rescuing beautiful works of art from crumbling homes and chateaux in the French countryside," says Thierry François, president of Francois & Co. Now these exquisite, historic pieces can continue to enrich homes far from their French origins.

Diptyque's Baies candles are reminiscent of black-currant leaves and Bulgarian roses, Lush Life.

Scented Style

While most know Huff-Harrington Fine Art for its representation of French artists Pascal Bouterin, Georges Nasri and Monique Chretien, the gallery is also the sole distributor of Edith Mezard's unmistakable scented candles. According to owners Meg Harrington and Ann Huff, "Mme. Mezard is a French style-and-fashion icon whose converted Provencal stable is chock-a-block filled with one-of-a-kind and de rigueur items. Her signature candles release a delicate and unforgettable fragrance of black tea or green tea."

Property

No, you're not in the 16th arrondissement; it's 2282 Peachtree Road. The Enclave on Peachtree is Atlanta's latest piece of Parisian living — and it's purely authentic. Designed by architect Peter Block, the 17 townhomes will feature private courtyards and four levels of living. Sales by Rudy Harrell of Dorsey Alston, dorseyalston.com.

Louvre Atlanta: Decorative Arts of the Kings

Jacques Garcia Alexandre stool, $1,148; Baker, Knapp & Tubbs, ADAC.

"The High Museum in partnership with the Louvre has brought an amazing exhibit of treasures to our city," says tastemaker Suzanna Hamilton. "That we can walk through the incredible new wing of the museum and view French paintings, furniture, porcelains, silver, sculpture and decorative arts from a country rich with gifted artisans throughout so many centuries is truly amazing. No matter what period or style in which one is interested, good design is good design, and viewing those examples trains our eyes for scale, proportion, balance and decoration. If Atlantans really want the best of what France has to offer in our city, head to the High on many occasions: Once is not enough for this exhibit!" high.org.