CELEBRATING MY HERITAGE.
One year ago, I decided to take a leap of faith and book a trip to France with my best friend (who happens to also be GLDESIGN’s senior designer). I had everything planned, booked, tested etc but I don’t think I was truly prepared for what it became…a magical storybook full of re-discovery, laughter, love and deep connection. Only two weeks ago, we packed our (many) suitcases and embarked on a journey of trains, planes and automobiles. We were going to be abroad nine days so let’s just say that it wasn’t easy to narrow down the outfit selections! We hit the road with our itinerary, passports, luggage and a mindset of “why not?” On y va!
FIRST STOP:
CANNES, COTE D’AZUR
(FRENCH RIVIERA)
We took an evening flight out of JFK-NYC and flew into NICE-FRANCE. From the airport, we took an uber to the iconic Hotel Martinez which is perfectly located on the promenade. This leg of the trip was a special stop prior to continuing to Provence to meet our larger group. I grew up summering in Cannes and really wanted to see our previous perched home with sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and I felt like a little girl all over again. We walked, explored, chatted, reminisced and of course, stopped for many Aperol Spritz’ along the way.
Where we stayed:
Hotel Martinez
What we did:
Explored the charm and heart of Cannes @ Le Suquet
Shopped the fresh produce, flowers etc @ Le Marche Forville
Beach @ Hotel MartinezSpa
Where we ate:
Le Voilier @ Cannes
Carlton Riviera Restaurant @ Carlton Hotel
Beach @ Hotel Martinez
SECOND STOP:
PROVENCE
Bright and early on day two, we took the TGV from Cannes to Aix-en-Provence and then took a car service to Lourmarin in Provence. We met up with an incredible special group of women who had all come for the purpose of sourcing, antiquing, discovery and connection, organized by the one and only Chloe Legras of Boxwood Avenue. Each day of this four-day Provence itinerary was more special than the next. It was fun being the French girl on a France trip because I was able to communicate with the locals and reminisce about my youth while still discovering areas of the South I had never been to!
Where we stayed:
Le Galinier, Lourmarin
aka Provence Heaven on Earth
What we did:
Antiquing @ L’isle sur la Sorgue
More antiquing @ Gordes
Wine tasting @ Chateau Fontvert
Ceramics Workshop
Where we ate:
Jardin du Quai @ L’isle sur la Sorgue
La Louche a Beurre @ Lourmarin
La Bergerie @ Bonnieux
Le Saint Hubert @ Luberon
LAST (BUT NOT LEAST) STOP:
PARIS
To conclude our trip, we took the TGV to Paris and spent two days showing my bestie around my old stomping grounds. I think we counted over 11,000 steps from the Concorde to St-Germain-des-Pres on day one and just as many shopping steps on day two LOL. The sun was shining and Paris was showing off just for us.
Where we stayed:
Hotel de L’Abbaye
Saint-Germain-des-Pres
6th arr.
Where we ate:
Les Deux Magots @ Place St-Germain-des-Pres
Brasserie Le Carrousel De Rennes
Ralph’s @ Ralph Lauren flagship
Brasserie Lutetia @ Hotel Lutetia
Crepes, crepes, crepes!
It goes without saying that Paris is unique and magical. Above all, here’s my tip…
SAY OUI TO THE TRIP. DO ALL THE THINGS. LEAD WITH AMOUR.
MERCI!
MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW @BOXWOODAVENUE.ABROAD IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP FOR YOUR FUTURE ADVENTURE.
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