I’m already missing sun-drenched Provence. Our trip was the perfect combination of city energy and beautiful countryside. I’ll share an outfits roundup soon, but so many of you were messaging me about where we stayed, ate, etc that I wanted to put it all down for those of you planning your own trips!
We started in Paris, checking into Hotel Lutetia on the Left Bank- equal parts grand and cozy, with balconies that open to the rooftops and mornings that start with the most perfect coffee. On our first evening, we stopped by Café de Flore for an aperitif and then walked over to Le Petit Lutetia for dinner: classic, elegant, and every bit the welcome we hoped for.
The next day, we explored, we shopped, and of course - we found ponies. When Kelly & I discovered the Longines Global Champions Tour was happening, we had to go catch the show jumping at the Eiffel Tower. It was beyond! We had dinner at Lapérouse- historic, a little decadent, and deeply Parisian. If you go, bring your best dress. The ambiance calls for it.
Friday started at Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, the famous flea market just outside the city which has been on my bucket list for years!! It was massive, overwhelming, heart-stopping. Not all vendors were open, since we went on a Friday. (If you’re planning a visit, I’d recommend Saturday or Sunday for the full experience!) We followed it up with lunch at LouLou, which never misses. Sitting outside in the gardens, drinking something cold and citrusy with my best friends = heaven.
That evening, we had one of my favorite experiences of the trip: a sunset Seine cruise with Parinautes Cruises. They are a small, family-run business and have the most beautiful vintage boats (ours was from the 1930s!). There were no crowds, no chaos- just the water, cocktails and Paris glittering at sunset. We all dressed up, and afterward, we had dinner at Rivière Fugo.
On Saturday, we caught the train from Gare de Lyon to Avignon. {Insert a funny story about how the 5 of us loaded us all 12(!!) of our suitcases on the wrong train and realized at the last second...} From the station, we drove into Provence and checked into Crillon le Brave- a hotel I’ve dreamed of visiting for years. It’s perched above a tiny village with views for miles, cypress trees swaying, and rooms filled with soft linens and stone. It feels like a movie.
The next day, we went to the antique market in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, one of the largest in France. Again, it was just incredible pieces! That evening, we kept it simple- dinner and drinks back at the hotel, enjoying some amazing wine.
Despite spending hours there, I somehow resisted making any major purchase. (They do make it easy to ship things home and most vendors will recommend a shipper.) That evening, we kept it simple- dinner and drinks back at the hotel, enjoying some amazing wine.
On our last day, Kelly & I went riding through the vineyards (I had the sweetest horse!) We explored the wine country for miles under the sun. Later, we all went shopping, we had gelato, sat by the pool and enjoyed our last night together, toasting to our friendship (and this annual tradition!)
Time with my girls was healing in every way, but I’m so happy to be back with the kiddos!
xx Mary
