The Art of French Living

There is something quietly magical about the ritual of the French apéro. It is not quite dinner, not quite drinks, and certainly not a rushed happy hour squeezed between emails and obligations. The apéro — short for apéritif — is a ritual. A pause. A gentle transition between the working day and the evening ahead. …

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway. Today’s feature explores French rituals that can be found in the smallest, most ordinary moments of daily life — from the morning coffee to the walk to the bakery. Life in France often seems shaped by these small moments, where a quiet sense of elegance runs through even the …

Over the years, living in France has taught me invaluable life lessons — from approaching style and travel to embracing beauty, lifestyle, and ageing gracefully. I first came to France more than 30 years ago, fully expecting to stay for just one year. But life, as it often does, had a different plan. What was …