I'm a self-confessed Francophile. I love all things French and I've visited at least twice per year since arriving in London. I've tried to learn French three times (if you include high school) but have resigned to the fact that I'll need to move there if I was ever to actually learn.
Where we stayed:
Bandol: I'm not going to recommend our hotel but will recommend Hotel Ile Rousse Bandol (where we wanted to stay) instead. It's the only 5 star hotel in the area and overlooks a gorgeous beach.
Provence: La Maison Sur La Sorgue, a Mr & Mrs Smith hotel. This 18th century townhouse is located in a picturesque market town in Provence surrounded by canals. We stayed in a two bedroom suite which was luxuriously decorated (the owners have a homewares store attached to the house).
Dordogne: Chateau Les Marles, another Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel. Full of wealthy Brits and families, this is a nice countryside hotel, but probably not for everyone. The hotel room was fairly plain and standard, but the shared areas and restaurant were lovely.
Paris: Again, I'm not going to recommend where we stayed as I bought it on Secret Escapes. It was a bargain for what it was but I would never pay full price. I recommend Hotel Duo in the Maris district which is a Mr & Mrs Smith hotel (surprise, surprise...)
Where we ate (worth mentioning): Joy restaurant in Hyres (Modern French), Le Vivier in Provence (Modern French), Au Rouleau de printemps in Paris (Vietnamese), Leo Siam in Paris (Thai), L'Ange 20 in Paris (French).
Where we shopped: If you read my blog you'll know I'm obsessed with French fashion - especially brands such as Sandro and A.P.C, but thanks to Vestiaire I've become obsessed with Claudie Pierlot. I bought an amazing fitting pair of black trousers there after months of looking.
I also visited my usual stores: Merci, Colette, and the vintage stores in the Le Marais district. Top of my list was also a visit to City-Pharma to stock up on my French Pharmacy products (post coming soon). You can see where I visited during my trip in October last year here.
NHG x
Where we stayed:
Bandol: I'm not going to recommend our hotel but will recommend Hotel Ile Rousse Bandol (where we wanted to stay) instead. It's the only 5 star hotel in the area and overlooks a gorgeous beach.
Provence: La Maison Sur La Sorgue, a Mr & Mrs Smith hotel. This 18th century townhouse is located in a picturesque market town in Provence surrounded by canals. We stayed in a two bedroom suite which was luxuriously decorated (the owners have a homewares store attached to the house).
Dordogne: Chateau Les Marles, another Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel. Full of wealthy Brits and families, this is a nice countryside hotel, but probably not for everyone. The hotel room was fairly plain and standard, but the shared areas and restaurant were lovely.
Paris: Again, I'm not going to recommend where we stayed as I bought it on Secret Escapes. It was a bargain for what it was but I would never pay full price. I recommend Hotel Duo in the Maris district which is a Mr & Mrs Smith hotel (surprise, surprise...)
Where we ate (worth mentioning): Joy restaurant in Hyres (Modern French), Le Vivier in Provence (Modern French), Au Rouleau de printemps in Paris (Vietnamese), Leo Siam in Paris (Thai), L'Ange 20 in Paris (French).
Where we shopped: If you read my blog you'll know I'm obsessed with French fashion - especially brands such as Sandro and A.P.C, but thanks to Vestiaire I've become obsessed with Claudie Pierlot. I bought an amazing fitting pair of black trousers there after months of looking.
I also visited my usual stores: Merci, Colette, and the vintage stores in the Le Marais district. Top of my list was also a visit to City-Pharma to stock up on my French Pharmacy products (post coming soon). You can see where I visited during my trip in October last year here.
NHG x
How could anyone not adore France?! Oh my those cakes look good...
ReplyDeleteBecky | life.style.flash. x
Hello Dearne,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Denise and I discovered your blog about a month ago. I love it! I am writing from Ontario, Canada.
My husband and I will be travelling to London the first week of October to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We have seven days in London and 3 days in Paris. I have never been and can't wait.
My dream purchase is a pair of Hunter Wellies and matching socks. Any suggestions where I might purchase a pair and is there such a things as a warehouse store that might offer them at a little cheaper rate. My husband doesn't see the value of spending $125.00 Canadian for a pair of rubber boots! lol
Any advice would be great. Have added Notting Hill to our list of spots to visit. Thanks for sharing your love of the English and French!!
This post is so perfect because I have literally just booked my flights to Paris! x
ReplyDeletewww.girlinthenorth.com
Gorgeous photos, I really want to see the bridge with all the padlocks on it!
ReplyDeleteLuxx Mint