I'm willing to go $100. A telescope that had some power and would serve as an interesting curio in their home would be acceptable, but I'm thinking it would be pretty expensive. Too bad we don't know the location or design of their home. If they live downtown, they might not have a vista beyond the building across a narrow street. It would be good to purchase the gift from a store in France, or even London, so it wouldn't take forever to deliver or cost an arm and a leg for shipping.
I still like the idea of a buffalo, but bovines make terrible house pets. I've never known one to be successfully housebroken, and I know from experience, they have ferociously bad breath. You wouldn't want one in your living room. But it would be an interesting conversation piece, and if it becomes a problem you can eat it.
http://91appios.com/fish-tank-toilet-seat/ Let's keep it classy.
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product...ingbird-mobile
https://www.amazon.com/Caucasian-Pee...tuckerheavy-20 With an eye to the future.
http://incrediblethings.com/products/giant-hammock/