John
I'm working my way through
French for Reading (about 60% done), which I think is an excellent book, in hopes that I can read my favorite French poets with more ease. I had, in the past, been able to, with some ease, read Le Monde and Le Figaro, but I lapsed a bit and am being more concerted in my efforts now.
Any really good French poets you like that might be pretty accessible? Again, I love and know fairly well French poetry (in English) from Nerval to, lets say Valery. So they're really my target at the moment, but if there are very good poets who are easier before or after, I'd love to start reading them alongside my more formal, academic reading.