If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s hunting for treasures. I have a few rules I tend to abide by when I’m shopping while traveling:

1. I avoid chain stores or anything I can easily get at home. If I’m buying clothing, it’s almost always from a local retailer.

2. Since I own a clothing boutique, I’m usually more focused on things for the home.

3. Antiques are always at the top of my list, especially oil paintings.

4. I rarely buy books because I read on a Kindle, but I love supporting independent booksellers. I always stock up on journals, cards, pens and stationery. If you’ve ever received a thank-you or birthday card from me, there’s a good chance it came from abroad.

5. As for getting everything home, I always pack a foldable duffel bag and check a bag on the way back. NEVER on the way there. I’ve experienced a lost bag once, and I’m still traumatized.

Now, my complete guide to shopping in the Cotswolds:

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Maybe one of my most comprehensive, juiciest dining guides to date! This one is chock-full of charming, delicious dining spots that really capture the essence of the Cotswolds.

The Guide

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Unlike France, the Brits didn’t send the aristocrats to the guillotine, so they got to keep the houses, the art, and the jewels. Lucky for us, many of these estates are now open to the public.

Before You Go

A few things to know before planning your visit:

• Many of these homes are only open seasonally because the families return to live in them during the off-season. I think the best time to visit is between April and October.

• Be sure to check the National Trust website before you go. Opening days and hours vary, and many properties are run almost entirely by volunteers.

• Most houses are only open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last entry around 4:00 p.m.

• You generally don’t need to book tickets in advance, with one exception: Kelmscott Manor, William Morris’s country home. It has limited opening dates that change each year, so definitely check the calendar if it’s high on your list.

• Don’t try to cram every house into one trip. Part of the joy is wandering the gardens, stopping for tea and scones, and spending a little too much time in the gift shop. I somehow come home with a Christmas ornament every time and have amassed quite the collection.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, you’ll definitely want a car. Pick one town as your home base, then venture out from there each day.

One thing I always do before a trip is pin every house, restaurant, and shop in Google Maps. Once everything is saved, it’s easy to map out each day without backtracking.

My Favorite Historic Houses

My one-pager with all the houses worth visiting, then a breakdown and photos below. In no particular order...

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On our most recent trip to London, we tacked on a week in the Cotswolds. It was a last-minute decision, which meant a lot of the cottages we normally would have booked were already gone.

I’ve rented from Airbnb before, but always with a little hesitation. Every trip reminds me why I generally avoid it. Don’t get me wrong. There are wonderful homes on Airbnb. But I also think a lot of properties have no business being rented out.

The challenge is that once you’re staying somewhere for more than a few days, a hotel or tiny bed and breakfast doesn’t always work. I want somewhere with a kitchen, room to spread out, a dedicated workspace, and most importantly, a washer. If there’s a dryer, even better. If not, hopefully at least a drying rack.

Our Airbnb disaster

The cottage we booked looked charming enough online. The moment we walked through the back gate, though, my heart sank.

What should have been a lovely little patio was covered in weeds and pots full of dead plants. The lockbox was hidden inside the “laundry room,” which was an old shed outside. This was where I was supposed to do laundry?

Unfortunately, it didn’t get any better. The owner had swapped out nearly all of the furniture from the listing photos for pieces that were much less appealing. The headboard was different. The dedicated workspace had disappeared. There were cobwebs everywhere.

I understand that these are old homes. I actually love creaky stairs, uneven floors, and centuries of patina. That’s part of the charm. What I don’t love is worn out and dirty.

That evening I messaged the host to let her know we’d be leaving and immediately started a chat with Airbnb support. She offered to send someone over to clean and tidy the house, but there wasn’t much to be done. You can’t polish a turd.

After spending two nights there, we were refunded about half of our stay. I then spent nearly five hours trying to piece together another place for us to stay for the rest of the trip. We ended up using Boutique Retreats to find out replacement. They’re one of the better of the agencies; this is the third cottage we’ve booked through them.

Since it was so last minute, it wasn’t the best home we’ve stayed in, but beggars can’t be choosers at this point.

Where I’d stay instead

If you’re looking for a hotel, these are my favorites:

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A couple of summers ago, we took a trip to the enchanting city of San Miguel de Allende. Although it’s not the easiest place to get to from Salt Lake City, it’s definitely worth the effort.

There are beautifully curated boutiques, art galleries, and plenty of parks. You’ll spend the day just wandering the streets and eating some of the best food of your life. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much on a trip. We stayed for four nights and made every meal count, so I rounded up every recommendation worth saving below.

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After spending a few days in Copenhagen, we spent the remainder of our trip in Cornwall. I had my heart set on living out my Poldark fantasies.

The Guide

Getting There

We flew back to London Heathrow and rented a car directly from the airport.

It’s not easy to get to Cornwall, and I had looked at several different options. You can take the train, but that’s 8 hours, and once you’re in Cornwall you’ll still need a car for day trips. The drive from London to Cornwall was a little over five hours, and all freeway, so pretty easy. We stopped halfway at Darts Farm Shop for lunch.

What We Got Wrong

Part of my desire to buy and renovate a home in France came from years of renting beautiful vacation homes. Hotels definitely have their place, especially in cities, but when staying somewhere more rural, we always rent a house so we can come back and cook, visit with friends, and enjoy a bit more space.

I’m not going to share the house we stayed in Cornwall, since it has since sold, but I had been eyeing this beautiful house for a while on Instagram and had even been featured in a few publications. I had very high expectations, but unfortunately, it let us down in so many ways: no extra toilet paper, no coffee (yet they had an $8,000 coffee maker), no laundry pods even though they had a washing machine, not one dish towel.

And the last and final straw, you couldn’t take a shower without flooding the entire bathroom, so baths it was for two non-bath people. It was a good lesson for me, especially with Maison de Frédéric: no matter how beautiful a house is, it has to function.

There are so many places to stay in Cornwall. Despite the failings of the cottage, we would stay in Padstow again, just at another property. It’s a good base for day trips.

Padstow Favorites

• Prideaux Walled Garden — cakes, light meals, and a house and garden tour

• Cornish Bakery — coffee and pastries, every morning

• Roskilly’s — ice cream

• Tartan Fox — dinner, worth the drive

• Mariners — take the ferry over, dine on arrival

• The Pig, Harlyn Bay — dinner

• Minack Theater — an outdoor theater cut into the seaside cliffs

Day Trips

• Port Isaac. My favorite of the trip. A beautiful seaport with shops, cafes, and a long hike above the water.

• Trevone Bay. Hike in, then swim. Stop at Padstow Farmshop for lunch on the way.

If we’d had a bit more time, we would have liked to take day trips to Penzance, St. Ives, and Charlestown as well.

Hikes

I love hiking in Cornwall because it’s nice and cool, but also the hikes are relatively easy. There are so many options, from moderate to expert. I’m linking the exact hikes we took to get these beautiful views:

• Padstow hike to Trevone Bay

• Another hike that takes you to the famous sinkhole in Trevone Bay

• Port Isaac Hike

After going non-stop in Copenhagen, it was nice to end the trip on a more leisurely note. We spent a lot of time at the house, reading and relaxing, and did a lot of hikes along the beaches around Padstow.

What do you have coming up for summer travel? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll help you plan!

xo,

Kyong

Last summer we took our first trip to Denmark. We spent five nights in Copenhagen before flying back to England to finish the trip in Cornwall. Don’t worry, Cornwall is getting its own post because it deserves one.

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Before visiting, I mostly associated Copenhagen with colorful harbors, incredible pastries, and impossibly cool Danish women on bicycles. After spending a few days there, I understood why it’s also considered one of the world’s design capitals.

The city feels young, creative, and easy to navigate. While most visitors spend their time in the center, there is plenty worth exploring beyond it, too.

The Itinerary

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Since I’m in Los Angeles fairly often for work, I’ve started extending my stay and inviting girlfriends to meet me for a weekend. It’s become one of my favorite traditions. Forty-eight hours is just enough time to eat well, relax, and catch up.

Getting There

A recent discovery has made the whole trip even better.

I usually fly into LAX because I work downtown. Lately, instead of driving south, I’ve been taking the Pacific Surfliner from Union Station to Irvine.

Union Station is a beautiful Art Deco building, and the trains are so clean and easy to navigate. A first-class one-way ticket is $25 and goes all the way down to san diego. I highly recommend it.

Where We Stay

Finding a hotel I truly love in Orange County has always been a bit challenging. I’ve stayed at Lido House several times, and it’s comfortable and convenient.

It’s not the greatest, but it’s nice to be within walking distance of Lido Marina Village, coffee, and the waterfront. For a girls weekend, it works perfectly well.

The Korean Weekend Itinerary

I always joke with my friends that if they’re meeting me in Orange County, they’re signing up for a Korean weekend.

That means Korean BBQ, Korean desserts, and most importantly, a Korean spa. This is the lineup and their addresses:

• Honey Pig — 14171 Jeffrey Rd, Irvine, CA 92620

• HoneyMee — 5414 Walnut Ave #C, Irvine, CA 92604

• I Spa — 2332 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606

Dinner and Dessert

One of my favorite Korean BBQ spots in Irvine is Honey Pig, so we head there Friday night once everyone arrives.

After dinner, we go to HoneyMee for the most incredible ice cream. If you’ve never been, order the classic soft serve drizzled with honey.

The Main Event: Korean Spa Culture

The next morning is brunch and shopping at Malibu Farms at Lido Village before the most important part of the trip: I Spa.

I’ve taken several groups of girlfriends to I Spa over the years, and they all love it.

At first it can feel intimidating. But if you can get over that initial shock of being naked in front of friends and women you don’t know, you settle in, and it’s actually quite beautiful.

Korean bath culture has always been one of my favorite parts of Korea. They’re everywhere in Seoul. You’ll see women of every age spending time together, some of them going every day!

I think part of what I love is seeing real bodies. Every shape, size, age. It feels like such a body-positive experience.

What to Expect

Make your appointment ahead of time and book the body scrub treatment.

I recommend arriving at least an hour early so you can soak in the hot tubs, steam room, and saunas before your treatment begins. When you arrive, you’ll receive a locker key along with a T-shirt and shorts for the common areas. In the bathing area, however, everyone is naked. Men are separate from women, of course.

Once you’ve spent time soaking, they’ll call your number and take you to the treatment room.

The body scrub is unlike anything most Americans have experienced. A Korean attendant scrubs your skin from head to toe, and you’ll be amazed by how much dead skin comes off. Afterward, you’ll rinse off and return for a full-body massage. Then comes a hair wash and a freshly grated cucumber mask. It’s absolutely divine!

The treatment costs about $150. Be sure to bring cash for your tip. At the end, your attendant will hand you a white envelope. I typically tip 30–35 percent because it’s incredibly hard work.

Don’t Leave Yet

One of the best parts of Korean spas is that the experience doesn’t end when your treatment is over.

At a traditional spa, you get dressed and head home. At a Korean spa, you’re just getting started. You’ll change into the uniform they provide and head to the common areas. If you’re visiting with your husband or boyfriend, this is where you’ll meet back up.

There are heated marble floors lined with mats for napping, recliners for relaxing, dry saunas, salt rooms, and even workspaces if you need to answer a few emails.

My favorite part, though, is the restaurant. Somehow the food is always exactly what you want after several hours of soaking and relaxing. They serve Korean dishes, smoothies, and what may be the best Korean shaved ice I’ve ever had.

One of the Best Gifts You Can Give Yourself

As I’m writing this, I’m realizing I need to plan another Korean spa weekend soon. I know the idea might feel a little outside your comfort zone.

But if you’re willing to lean into the experience, it’s one of the most fun and relaxing experiences you can have with friends. You leave feeling rested, scrubbed clean, and brand new.

xo,

Kyong

Last fall, I took a group of girlfriends to the Cape for a long weekend. When Donnie and I first visited, we went in early October and had perfect weather. Naturally, I booked the exact same week for our girls’ trip. Little did we know we were in for non-stop rain.

Originally, I had planned to take everyone to Martha’s Vineyard, but with the torrential downpour, taking the ferry was out of the question. This is everything we did instead.

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I know budget and time constraints can sometimes make international travel difficult, so I thought I’d share a stateside trip I really loved.

Growing up on the West Coast, I always romanticized the East Coast, especially Cape Cod. A couple years ago, Donnie and I rented the most darling cottage in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and it completely lived up to the fantasy.

First Things First

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A funny story: some friends of ours stayed with us at Maison de Frédéric last summer. When they got home, they were telling friends about their trip and mentioned they had started in St. Tropez for the weekend. One of them asked, “Is St. Tropez even a real place?”

Honestly, I understand the question.

You hear St. Tropez and it sounds mythical, glamorous, slightly out of reach, and frankly, expensive. But it really doesn’t have to be.

We’ve been going every summer for years. It’s a little less than a three-hour drive from our home in Provence and perfect for a long weekend. Truthfully, I don’t think I would want to stay much longer than three nights.

We’ve stayed at some incredible properties over the years, but I’ve found there’s actually a very good way to do St. Tropez on a budget:

The beach clubs

My biggest piece of advice is to find an affordable rental or hotel outside the city center, then spend your days at the beach clubs.

You still get that unmistakable St. Tropez experience without the hefty hotel price tag. The food is excellent, the beaches are beautiful, and the bathrooms are clean and tidy—a major plus for me.

A few things to know before you go:

• You absolutely need reservations.

• This is one benefit of staying at a hotel. The front desk can usually call and secure a reservation for you, even during the busiest weeks of summer.

• There are typically two seating times. We always prefer the earlier one at noon.

• We’ll have lunch first, then reserve beach beds afterward and stay until closing, which is usually around 4:00 p.m.

• Most of these clubs only serve lunch, not dinner.

We’ve now been to three of the major beach clubs, so here’s my rundown:

Club 55

Made famous by Brigitte Bardot, Club 55 is the quintessential St. Tropez experience.

That said, it’s actually quite rustic. But in the most charming way possible. The food here is amazing, and the people-watching is next level. They also have a wonderful little resort shop, and somehow I end up buying something every single time I go.

A few things to note:

• They do not provide beach towels, so bring your own.

• If you’re staying at a hotel, ask the front desk for beach towels specifically. Don’t take the towels from your bathroom. Apparently that’s very frowned upon.

• There are no beachside servers, but you can walk up to the bar for drinks and snacks.

Pricing

• Sunbed: 40€ per person

• Umbrella: 19€

• Hut: 60€ (sunbeds not included)

Loulou Beach Club

We took friends here on our last visit and they absolutely loved it.

Loulou also has a Paris location right near the Louvre and the Tuileries, and the St. Tropez beach club feels very much in that same world. It’s chic, polished, and a little more luxurious than Club 55.

They have plush beach beds, attentive servers, and a beautiful boutique. We had lunch at the restaurant, shopped a bit afterward, then spent the rest of the afternoon lounging on the beach.

Pricing

• Beach beds: 80€ per person

They also provide towels, which is always appreciated.

Jardin Tropezina

This beach club is connected to Château de la Messardière, where the newest season of The White Lotus was filmed. Now, I should say this one is not exactly “budget friendly.” But I still think it’s worth mentioning because if you’re going to splurge on one day in St. Tropez, this is a very good place to do it.

Hotel guests get first priority for reservations, so this one can be a little harder to get into. The atmosphere here feels calmer and a bit more polished than some of the other clubs. Lots of pastel tones, beautiful landscaping, and a more relaxed energy overall.

If you aren’t staying at the property, I would probably suggest sticking with Club 55 or Loulou instead. They’re easier to book and still give you the full St. Tropez experience.

Pricing

• Restaurant pricing: approximately 50€–100€ per person, depending on what you order.

• Beach bed pricing: Sunbeds and daybeds usually start at around €150, with premium beds (often accommodating up to 2-3 people) reaching up to €250 per day.

St. Tropez can feel impossibly glamorous, but I actually think that’s part of the fun. A little people-watching, a long lunch, a swim in the Mediterranean. You really don’t need much more than that. If you’ve been to St. Tropez before, I’d love to know your favorite beach clubs!

xo,

Kyong

People always ask why France, and whether we had always dreamed of living there, even if it’s only very part-time right now.

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My husband and I have always loved France. We honeymooned in Paris and returned often over the years. We’ve been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit, but the seed for this was planted 12 years ago.

We rented a house in the Dordogne region of France with our best friends. It was a week of markets, day trips, wandering through the countryside, and coming back to our rental to cook long, lively meals together. It was unlike any trip I had taken before, and it left a lasting impression on me.

I remember walking through an old medieval village and asking Donnie, “Would you ever want to buy a place in France?” He laughed and said, “Sure, why not?” I don’t think he really meant it at the time, but I took it as a green light.

Fast forward several years, and my husband had an opportunity to move to London with his firm. The wheels were suddenly in motion. Even though it was still very premature, I had already mentally decorated our London flat.

We knew London was expensive, so the plan was to rent there and hopefully buy a cottage in the Cotswolds. As much as I love a big city, I find the countryside far more relaxing, and you get so much more space. But just as we were imagining a new life across the pond, Brexit happened. The London office downsized, and the opportunity we had dreamed about disappeared.

Unfortunately, the damage was done. We no longer wanted to live in the States full-time, so we started seriously asking ourselves how we could make a move abroad happen. After many conversations, we realized we were more drawn to the South of France. Provence had two things England simply couldn’t compete with: the sun and the food.

About ten years ago, we rented a small apartment in Provence, and it remains one of the best weeks of my life. We’d have croissants, strawberries, and a giant wedge of cheese for breakfast. We’d wake up early, shop the markets, drive through hilltop villages, and spend afternoons hunting for antiques.

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In 2018, I stumbled upon the house that would eventually become Maison de Frédéric. It was just outside a village I loved, Uzès. To me, Uzès was the Goldilocks of Provençal villages: not too big, not too small.

I told myself we should book a trip and finally start the hunt seriously. I had looked at so many houses by then, but this one haunted me. I dreamed about it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Then COVID happened.

We were all stuck at home, and I remember thinking, it’s now or never. So many heartbreaking things happened during that period. A friend’s husband passed away. My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. It felt like everyone was having an existential crisis in one form or another.

Through a series of truly crazy events, Donnie ended up being one of only four people, including the flight crew, on a 737 to France to finalize the sale of the house. We had handled all of the negotiations and paperwork remotely from Utah. From start to finish, it took exactly 11 months to close.

I still remember when the borders reopened. We immediately booked flights to France so we could finally get the keys to our home. It was June, and the weather could not have been more perfect. The whole thing felt surreal.

The renovation took two and a half years. We flew back every other month, and on two separate occasions, Donnie stayed for an entire month in nearby rentals to oversee construction.

There is an enormous amount of pressure that comes with renovating a 500-year-old home. We wanted to restore the house properly and give it the care it deserved. I joke that I aged in dog years during the renovation.

People ask me all the time: knowing what you know now, would you still buy a house in France?

Absolutely.

It was by far the hardest thing we’ve ever done. The time difference, the language barrier, the ballooning budget. We encountered every possible obstacle along the way. But through all of it, I learned a lot about myself. I learned that I can do hard things. And as crazy as it sounds, the experience brought Donnie and me even closer together. For a long time, we kept the house a secret, so in many ways, we only had each other to lean on.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the many people who helped us along the way: our project manager, our architect, and our house manager, Janice, who has since become a dear friend.

You only live once. Somehow, the house turned out even more beautiful than I imagined it could. Being able to share it with so many wonderful people has truly been a dream.

That being said, I also recommend sparing yourself the renovation nightmare and staying with us instead!

xo,

Kyong

The Itinerary

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There are two brocantes I return to every trip: L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Carpentras.

More pricing, how to fly home with all of it, and everything you need to know about visiting both below the paywall:

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Saturday morning is the Uzès market. This is what made me fall in love with Provence and what planted the seed of buying a home in the region. If you ever spend a weekend in this area, it is a must, and this is exactly how I would plan the day.

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Musée Nissim de Camondo

A Belle Époque mansion patterned on the Petit Trianon at Versailles (but with modern conveniences) and home to one of the world’s most exquisite collections of 18th-century objets d’art. It’s currently under renovation and will re-open August 2027.

The house belonged to a wealthy Jewish aristocratic family, the Camondos. Nissim died fighting in WWI, and the rest of the family was deported to Auschwitz. The house survived. The family did not. It remains exactly as it was, all original furnishings, completely intact. It’s haunting and beautiful in equal measure. You may recognize it from the French series Lupin.

Hôtel de la Marine

I was completely blown away by Hôtel de la Marine. A mini Versailles in the heart of Paris, right on the Place de la Concorde, closed to the public since the 18th century and recently reopened as a house museum.

The state apartments have been fully reconstituted, 80% of the furnishings are original and have never been seen before, and the history layered into the walls is staggering: royal jewels ransacked, guillotines set up in the square outside, Nazi occupation after the fall of France. We were practically the only ones there and felt genuinely lucky for it.

Don’t skip the audio guide. Spatial audio, clever storytelling, room recognition, it’s one of the best I’ve ever experienced anywhere. Book tickets in advance.

Musée Carnavalet

Back open after a five-year closure and a €58 million renovation, and it’s extraordinary. Musée Carnavalet is housed in a beautiful hôtel particulier in the heart of the Marais. The museum tells the entire history of Paris through art from early artifacts straight through to the present day.

Donnie and I visited years ago when the exhibits were lackluster and nothing was in English or chronological order. The difference now is remarkable. I was in heaven.

Free entry, but register for tickets before you go. The renovated courtyard alone is worth the visit. Food is mediocre, grab a drink and sit in the sun.

Musée Gustave Moreau

I love a house museum, and this is one of Paris’s best-kept secrets. Set in the childhood home of the symbolist painter Gustave Moreau, the three-story townhouse was transformed into a museum during the final years of his life. It’s small, charming, and gives you an intimate look at both his massive art collection and his personal world. If you’ve been doing the tourist circuit, this is the antidote.

Musée Jacquemart-André

The finest private art collection in Paris, housed in a grand 19th-century residence. Beautifully preserved, never crowded, completely transportive. Have lunch at the café afterward, it’s not a tourist trap. Chic Parisians eat there too! Buy tickets online in advance.

Victor Hugo’s House, Place des Vosges

Free, and not to be missed if it’s your first trip to Paris or your fifteenth. The author’s belle époque apartment overlooks the equally beautiful Place des Vosges. Small, personal, and a wonderful detour into the Marais.

Museum of Hunting and Nature

A hidden gem in the 3rd, tucked inside a stunning aristocratic mansion built in the 17th century. The building itself is reason enough to visit. Wonderful with children, and a nice surprise even for skeptics. Donnie had a great time, which says everything.

Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle

I don’t have kids, but the Natural History Museum made me feel like one again. The grounds are massive, five separate museums each requiring its own ticket, and we only had time for the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution. Truly in awe of this place.

The grounds themselves are free to enter if you’d rather skip the exhibits. There’s a garden café that’s a local favorite (reservations required), kiosks for simple sandwiches and salads, green space for picnicking, and the best ice cream trucks in Paris.

Day Trips Worth the Train Ride

Fontainebleau

Less than an hour from Paris and almost always crowd-free. Originally built as a hunting lodge for French monarchs, it has a more rustic feel than Versailles.

Incredible moulding, beautiful woodwork, and the most extraordinary variety of wood floor patterns I’ve ever seen. Much of the palace is still furnished. The short walk from the train station through the surrounding forest is enchanting. I imagine a trip it fall would be magical with the surrounding forest.

Versailles for the ballet

I’m sure most of you have been to Versailles. But have you been for the ballet? Over Christmas we saw Swan Lake there and it was one of those nights I’ll never forget. I’ts a wonderful way to experience Versailles without the maddening crowds.

Exhibits

Fondation Louis Vuitton Exhibitions

These are world-class exhibits that rotate throughout the year. The David Hockney show (with more than 400 works) had me smiling the entire time. Happy, hopeful, inspiring. Keep an eye on what’s on during your visit.

Petit Palais

Come here for consistently incredible fashion exhibits. The Dolce & Gabbana show that ran through spring was a love letter to Italian craftsmanship. I preferred it to the couture exhibit at the Louvre, if you’re choosing between the two.

As a small business owner and gift-giver extraordinaire, I like to think of myself as a professional shopper. I have one non-negotiable rule when shopping while traveling: it can’t be something I can find at home. Which naturally means small businesses and local boutiques, places with a point of view, a story, and something you won’t find anywhere else.

Here is the list of Paris shops I have kept very close to my heart until now:

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Spring has finally arrived, and if you happen to be headed to the South of France, it’s the season of brocanting. The brocantes (flea markets) happen all year long, always on a Saturday or Sunday. The big antique fairs, however, happen twice a year: Easter weekend and in August.

When furnishing Maison de Frédéric, I didn’t really want anything new. Aside from the beds, almost everything was purchased as an antique around France. Even before we had a house here, I've been shopping the brocantes of Provence for decades. Over the years I've dialed the France flea markets down to a science. Which ones you can skip, which you cannot miss, and which are worth an hour’s drive. All of that is below.

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I get a lot of DMs asking where to eat in Paris, so I thought I’d finally put our favorites in one place.

A quick note on neighborhoods: Paris is made up of 20 arrondissements — think of them as districts. I generally suggest staying within the 1st–8th and the 11th. I included a map at the end of this post to help visualize. The right bank sits north of the Seine and is much larger than the left. We tend to spend most of our time there, so that’s where most of these recommendations are.

I’ve grouped these by arrondissement to help make planning your day a little easier.

Disclaimer: Chez Janou and Ralph’s may not have THE best food, but the atmosphere is so fabulous you simply can’t not go.

Right Bank

Left Bank

This is a good map to help you plan and visualize the arrondissements.

I’m always in the comments to help you plan your next trip!

xo,

Kyong

The City of Light never disappoints, but at the same time it can be very overwhelming trying to decide where to stay. I’ve mentioned this before, but hotel prices have skyrocketed, not just in Paris, but everywhere. Like any big city, but especially in Paris, the rooms tend to be quite small, and they don’t really have rooms with two queen beds. If possible, we tend to get a suite just so we have extra room.

A few things to note: French Queen beds are not the same as American Queens and are a bit smaller. I like to stay anywhere between the 1st and 8th arrondissements, and I prefer and recommend the right bank over the left, specifically the Marais. So that’s squarely where this guide is going to put us.

Without further ado, here are the six best hotels you can book in Paris and the highlights of each.

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