French-Inspired Living, Wherever You Are
The Art of Elegance is often associated with the way we dress, the places we visit or the things we surround ourselves with. We picture beautifully tailored clothes, a thoughtfully arranged home, a leisurely lunch in the sunshine or a life that seems to move at a gentler pace. And while these things can certainly …
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 …
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 …
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 …