About the Author
Diane Ratican
Writer. Traveler. Lover of two cities.
Diane Ratican has spent decades moving between two of the world's most iconic cities — Los Angeles, where she was raised, and Paris, where she found a second home. That dual life became the inspiration for Why LA? Pourquoi Paris?, the first illustrated coffee table book to pair the two cities side-by-side.
The Story Behind the Book
A life lived between Los Angeles and Paris.
The book grew out of a simple question Diane kept asking herself: why do these two cities feel so different, yet so familiar? From Dodger Stadium to Roland Garros, from LACMA to the Louvre, from In-N-Out to a Parisian café — the comparisons were everywhere, and they were endlessly fascinating.
Partnering with illustrators Eric Giriat in Paris and Nick Lu in Los Angeles, Diane brought those comparisons to life in a way that is at once personal, witty, and visually stunning. The result is a book that celebrates both cities — and the people who love them.
The Artists
Two illustrators. Two cities. One vision.
Eric Giriat
Paris
Eric Giriat is a Paris-based illustrator whose work captures the elegance, irony, and everyday beauty of French life. His illustrations for Why LA? Pourquoi Paris? bring the City of Light to life with warmth and wit.
Nick Lu
Los Angeles
Nick Lu is a Los Angeles-based illustrator and designer whose bold, graphic style perfectly captures the energy and sprawl of Southern California. His work for the book is a love letter to the city he calls home.
The Publisher
Illustré Books
Why LA? Pourquoi Paris? is published by Illustré Books, an independent publisher dedicated to beautifully crafted art books that celebrate culture, place, and the art of illustration.
Get Your Copy
Own a piece of both cities.
Why LA? Pourquoi Paris? makes the perfect gift for art lovers, travelers, and anyone who has ever fallen for Los Angeles or Paris.