French Living, Wherever You Are
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway, where we are exploring Why September Is the New January: The French Art of La Rentrée. Everyone talks about January as though it is the great moment for a reset. New year, new you. A new version of ourselves, preferably healthier, more organised and considerably more productive than the …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway with our tips about How French Women Transition to Fall: Effortless Style Tips for the Changing Season. This post was originally published in 2016 and completely rewritten in September 2026 with new styling advice, practical tips and a more intentional approach to seasonal dressing. There’s a particular moment, every …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and The Velvet Edit September 2026: The Art of A Slow Return If August teaches us how to slow down, September gently reminds us how to begin again. Across France, les grandes vacances come to an end. Schools reopen, cafés fill once more with familiar faces, markets become busier, …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about The Best French Pharmacy Sunscreens. French pharmacies are renowned for their understated approach to beauty — effective skincare rooted in science, dermatological expertise, and carefully selected ingredients rather than passing trends. From cult classics to newer innovations, French pharmacy skincare has earned a loyal following …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and our feature Paris in August: A Local’s Guide to the City That Slows Down. There is a moment every summer when Paris changes. The familiar rhythm of the city softens. The morning rush becomes gentler, the streets feel quieter, and a certain calm descends over the capital. As …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this Style feature about 5 French Outfit Formulas for Effortless Summer Style. As part of this month’s “Art of Slowing Down” series, I’ve been thinking about the little ways we can make everyday life feel calmer. Getting dressed is one of them. French women have long understood that …
If you’ve ever wondered Why France Slows Down in August and so many shops, businesses and even entire villages seem quieter, the answer lies in one of France’s oldest and most cherished traditions: les grandes vacances. When I first moved to France over thirty years ago, one of the biggest surprises wasn’t the food, the …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and The Velvet Edit August 2026: The Art of Slowing Down If July is about settling into summer, August is about surrendering to it. Across much of France, life slows to a different rhythm. Schools remain closed, factories shut down for the entire month, local businesses hang handwritten notices …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about How to Pack for a Spontaneous Trip: The Art of Last-Minute Travel. Updated July 2026: This guide has been completely refreshed with new packing advice, practical tips and a more intentional approach to travelling light. Some of the best journeys begin with very little planning. A …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature where we are delving into the A to Z of French Food: Letter I – Island Indulgences & Iconic French Favourites. The letter I brings with it the idea of an island somewhere in the sun, the air warm with vanilla and caramel, and that’s because …
There are hotel addresses that announce themselves loudly, and those that reveal themselves quietly, like a secret worth keeping. Hôtel de Silhouette Biarritz, tucked into one of the town’s oldest streets just steps from Les Halles, belongs firmly to the second kind. Tucked quietly within the historic heart of Biarritz, just moments from Les Halles …