Introducing The Velvet Guide to France: French Travel · French Food · Beautiful Places · The Art of Travelling Well
There is always more to discover in France.
Beyond the familiar landmarks and well-trodden destinations, there are beautiful towns, regional specialities, characterful hotels, quiet corners and memorable meals that reveal a different side of the country.
That is the inspiration behind The Velvet Guide to France — a new monthly collection from The Velvet Runway, bringing together French travel, French food and the pleasures of discovering France at a slower, more thoughtful pace.
You can explore other slow travel itineraries in my French Travel Gems Series, where I share tips for experiencing destinations with intention, curiosity, and ease. If you’re interested in discovering more about French food culture you might also enjoy our guide to French food and way of life.
A New Way to Explore France
The Velvet Guide to France is an A–Z collection of French travel and food, created for readers who love France — whether you live here, visit regularly or simply dream of your next journey.
Each issue brings together a curated selection of French Travel Gems, French Food, a featured destination and a featured recipe, beautifully designed to be enjoyed at your leisure.
The collection follows the alphabet, but it isn’t intended to be a rigid journey from A to Z. Some issues may explore a single letter, while others may bring together several letters as the collection develops.
The idea is simply to discover more of France through beautiful places, flavours and stories.
What You’ll Find Inside The Velvet Guide to France
French Travel Gems
From elegant cities and historic towns to coastal escapes, mountain retreats and lesser-known corners of France, the Travel Gems explore destinations worth knowing about.
Some will be familiar favourites. Others may be places you haven’t yet considered.
Each issue brings together a selection of destinations from across France, creating an ever-growing collection of places to inspire future travels.
This isn’t intended to be a definitive list of France’s best destinations. Instead, it is a collection of places I love, from well-known favourites to lesser-known gems, shaped by my own travels and experience of France.
French Food
French gastronomy is about so much more than croissants and crème brûlée (although both of these are delicious!).
Each issue explores French ingredients, regional specialities, traditional dishes and the stories behind some of the country’s most delicious food.
It’s an invitation to discover France through its flavours — and perhaps find something new to try at home.
A Featured Destination
Each issue also shines a little more light on one particular destination.
This might be a city, town or region that deserves a closer look, with inspiration for discovering its character, atmosphere and pleasures.
A Featured Recipe
And because discovering France should involve more than simply reading about it, each issue includes a French recipe to try at home.
Simple, seasonal and inspired by the French table, these recipes bring a little taste of France into everyday life.
The First Issue of The Velvet Guide to France
The Velvet Guide to France begins with Issue A — French Travel & Food.
The first collection brings together a selection of French destinations and food discoveries, alongside a featured destination and recipe.
It is designed as something to linger over rather than simply scroll through — a collection to browse when you’re planning a journey, dreaming of France or simply in the mood for a little French inspiration.
Receive The Velvet Guide to France
The Velvet Guide to France is available free to subscribers of The Velvet Runway.
Subscribe to receive each new issue and continue exploring France through its destinations, food and the pleasures of travelling well.
When will I receive my issue?
The Velvet Guide to France is sent on the second Thursday of each month. Subscribe now and you’ll receive the next available issue.
First issue: Thursday, 8 October 2026
A Collection to Keep
The Velvet Guide to France is intended to grow over time.
As the alphabet unfolds, so will the collection — bringing together more destinations, more regional flavours, more recipes and more reasons to keep discovering France.
Whether you’re planning your next French escape or simply want to bring a little more of France into everyday life, I hope you’ll enjoy exploring it with me.
