This February, I took a dream trip to France, browsing antique markets in Avignon and sourcing design materials in Paris. And to make sure it wasn’t all work (though perusing fabrics to me barely feels like work), I made sure there was time to enjoy classic French fare, fancy hotel-bar cocktails, and so, so many picturesque sites.
Shop the Rosie, $375
Avignon
Where to stay: La Mirande
The wallpapers, the fabrics, the banquettes, the chandeliers—the décor of this hotel makes you feel transported back in time. Furnished with many antiques from the nearby market, the historic building blends 18th- and 19th century-inspired elements in every room, along with curtains by famous French textile designer Pierre Frey. Plus, there’s even a live-in hotel cat who strolls around the grounds.
Where to eat: Chef’s Table at La Mirande
Sit at the sycamore table in the downstairs kitchen and get the tasting menu. Each dish is delicious and beautifully plated, and since they only seat 14 people at a time, the dinner feels like an intimate, singular experience.
What to do: Marché à la Brocante
This antiques market in L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue is stocked with vintage treasures (and happens to be where the owners of La Mirande find a number of their pieces). I came away with fabrics from the 1960s and 1970s, along with two framed prints for my gallery wall.
Shop the Ilene x Gravati, $425
Shop the Perfect Pump 100, $355
Paris
Shop the Ilene x Gravati, $425
Where to stay: Le Pavillon de la Reine
Situated in the Marais district near the Place des Vosges, this boutique hotel has absolutely stunning interiors (all the better for enjoying room service). Dramatic archways never hurt either.
Where to eat: Carette & La Réserve
I could talk forever about Paris’ pastries, cheese, and bread, but two particular favorites from this trip were the croque monsieur at Carette, and the Haathee champagne cocktail at La Réserve.
What to do: Walk, walk, walk
Paris has something to discover on every street: charming cafes, picturesque squares, quaint shops, historic monuments. I loved just being able to wander, with the freedom to enjoy whatever I came across. In Paris, even just the doorways are a site unto themselves.
Shop the Ilene x Gravati, $425
