South of France Archives - Style&Minimalism

A Few Nights In Marsanne

**IRO Paris** Yante Broderie Anglais Dress | **ATP Atelier** Rosa Sandals in Black | **Ace & Tate** Sebastian Sunglasses in Bio Black* | **CF Concept** Tusk Necklace in Gold | Vintage Belt | Straw Bag (bought on Île de Porquerolles) | **Larsson & Jennings** Liten Watch c/o **Farfetch***

**AYR** Slip Silk Camisole* | **Mango** Denim Skirt | **Mango** Leather Sandals in Tan | **Hush** Spanish Dancer Scarf* | **Ace & Tate** Sebastian Sunglasses in Bio Black* | **CF Concept** Tusk Necklace in Gold | Straw Bag (bought on Île de Porquerolles) | **Larsson & Jennings** Liten Watch c/o **Farfetch***

**UNIQLO** Stripe Linen Shirt | **Topshop** Straw Boater | **Super by Retrosuperfuture** Flat Top Sunglasses in Havana*

Red Print Dress (bought on Île de Porquerolles) | **Ace & Tate** Sebastian Sunglasses in Bio Black* | **Robert Clergerie** Vicolek Raffia Wedge Derbies | Straw Bag (bought on Île de Porquerolles)

**Topshop** Straw Boater | **Ace & Tate** Rae Sunglasses* | **Missoma** Engravable Initial Necklace in Gold* | **Dinny Hall** Bijou Star Stud Earring*

**Joseph** Silk Shirt in Navy with Cream Piping | **Levi’s** Vintage Denim Skirt | **Penelope Chilvers** Valenciana Espadrilles | **Larsson & Jennings** Liten Watch c/o **Farfetch***

**Solid & Striped** Anne Marie Swimsuit* | **AYR** The Always Short*

**Second Female** Off-The-Shoulder Top* | **Mango** Denim Skirt | **Penelope Chilvers** Valenciana Espadrilles | **Missoma** Engravable Initial Necklace in Gold* | Straw Bag (bought on Île de Porquerolles) | **Super by Retrosuperfuture** Paloma Black Matte Sunglasses* | **Larsson & Jennings** Liten Watch c/o **Farfetch***

There’s something about the village of Marsanne that I fell utterly in love with the first time we visited, over a year ago. We arrived at 11pm in the dark, stayed just one night and left the next morning after breakfast but I knew it was somewhere I wanted to spend more time. When we were planning our “mini-moon” around the South of France it was a given that we would spend at least one more night at Le Clos Marquise, with its wonderful owner Sylvie. If I could adopt Sylvie I would, she’s like a long lost French aunt who is not only an excellent host but a wonderful chef, too. When we first visited, Le Clos Marquise had only been open a month, now its four rooms are booked up well in advance. It’s such a special place, I know we will return again.

On this occasion we stayed four nights and ventured beyond the beautiful walled gardens. In the centre of the village is a wonderful little restaurant, hotel and shop called L’Atelier à Marsanne. At first I was confused, should I order lunch or scour through all the amazing homeware pieces in the shop. Dan was there to help me see sense, so we sat down and ate first. I ordered the most incredible (and huge) plate of scallops tartare with fresh nectarine. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so many scallops in one go, it was delicious. After lunch Dan and I looked through the Jars ceramics I’d had my eye on in the shop and picked out a few pieces for us and a few to take home for friends. I’ve been using the bowls and mugs we bought nearly everyday since we got back.

Can’t wait til our next visit to Marsanne.

Accommodation
Le Clos Marquise | L’Atelier à Marsanne

Food & Drink
L’Atelier à Marsanne | Le Globe | Les Aubergistes

Lunch With Bond at The Colombe d’Or

**IRO** Yante Broderie Anglais Dress | **ATP Atelier** Rosa Sandals in Black | **Ace & Tate** Sebastian Sunglasses in Bio Black* | **Lucy Williams x Missoma** Gold Graduated Fang Necklace* | **Missoma** Engravable Initial Necklace in Gold*

Hidden behind a large stone wall in the pretty little town of Saint-Paul de Vence is an iconic restaurant and hotel, the Colombe d’Or. As you walk in through its giant gated archway you are met by a giant thumb, the work of French sculptor César. Hung on its walls are paintings and illustrations by Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Léger and Braque; centimetres from the pools edge is a giant Calder sculpture. Artists flocked to the Colombe d’Or from the 1920s through to the 1950s, where its owner Paul Roux would entertain them and in exchange for a piece of art would feed them and give them a bed for the night.

As I entered the courtyard I was struck by its beauty and relaxed atmosphere. Tables sit close together but with plants used tentatively here and there you are given your privacy. The waiting staff are kind and welcoming, there is no stuffiness here, even though the Colombe d’Or is a world-renowned restaurant and frequented by the likes of Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Jack Nicholson and Leonardo di Caprio. On the day we visited Roger Moore was also dinning on the terrace, I actually go to meet Bond!

The food was the best we had in the South of France and we ate a lot of very good food. The sea bass I ordered was exceptional and the crème caramel I had for dessert was just as I remembered it as a child. I can also highly recommend the house champagne, we were celebrating our wedding after-all.

Postcards From The Camargue

**UNIQLO** Broderie Anglaise Top in Black* | **Mango** Buttoned Denim Skirt | **ATP Atelier** Rosa Sandals in Black | **Ace & Tate** Sebastian Sunglasses in Bio Black* | **Larsson & Jennings** Liten Watch* | **Missoma** Engravable Initial Necklace in Gold* | **Missoma x Lucy Williams** Gold Graduated Fang Necklace* | **CF Concept** Tusk Necklace in Gold

We started our honeymoon in The Camargue, an area of France defined by its salt plains and marshlands; famous for its white horses, flamingoes and bulls. The Camargue is very different to anywhere else I’ve been in France, once affluent due to the salt industry, which sadly is not what it once was. There are beautiful houses but many of the villages are a little like ghost towns, even in mid-summer. The beaches however are incredibly busy.

For us, it was the perfect spot to unwind after the wedding and parties we had at the château. I was quite ill at the time with a chest infection which I still haven’t managed to shake. The peace and quiet allowed us both to readjust to a more relaxed state of mind and set the mood for the rest of our trip.

Accommodation

Chambre d’Hôtes en Camargue 4 (via Airbnb)

Pre-Wedding Chillout

**Custommade** Leanna Gingham Shirt* | **Hush** Denim Shorts* | **Ace & Tate** Sebastian Sunglasses in Bio Black* | **Larssen & Jennings** Liten Watch c/o **Farfetch***

Before the wedding I spent a few day relaxing with friends a beautiful spot just outside Grasse. It was an opportunity to read a book, swim and unwind before the big day. I knew I still had a few things to do when I arrived at the chateau so I found it quite difficult to fully relax but taking in the beautiful views from such a stunning old bastide certainly helped a lot.

I slathered on the sun cream and spent every hour of every day lying by the pool. I had to be careful as my wedding dress was backless but after a few days in the sun I had a good base tan and felt as relaxed as I could be. I was so happy just walking through the gardens there, which had been planted with 400 year old olive trees, wisteria, bougainvillea, oleander and agapanthus (a few of my favourites). There were so many beautiful touches wherever you looked.

The farmhouse was once owned by Sir Norman Foster and had been beautifully restored on the outside and elegantly decorated throughout. I would have loved to show you the inside too but as this is my friend’s family home I chose not to share any photos of the interior, so you’ll just have to trust me when I say it was simply stunning (house goals for the future).