Ways to add a touch of France to your home
Tidbits from my stay in the south of France
My family and I had the privilege of spending 2.5 weeks in the gorgeous south of France this past summer. It was an experience that was luscious, delicious, breathtaking, restful, and inspiring—just to name a few. We stayed in a private 300-year old private guest house right in the heart of Avignon. The property was everything you’d imagine the south of France to be, crème de la crème!
The guest house was surrounded by french gardens- the owner Francis is a exceptional gardener who we saw from time to time tending, watering his fruits of his labor. There was a freshly planted lavender field, climbing roses, olive trees, and a private refreshing pool surrounding with various herbs growing in teracotta pots, It was truly magical. The rooms were spacious, comfortable, and adorned with old french decor throughout. Making us feel as though we were living in a castle. It was truly a dream come true. I remember waking up multiple times during my stay and saying out loud, “Am I still dreaming?"
Francis and Véronique, the lovely couple who rented us the house, were the sweetest, kindest hosts. Their hospitality was superb. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Francis, who gave us a tour of the property. In the kitchen, we found a beautiful gift basket filled with fresh market goods—wine, cheese, olives, and fruits. It was such a thoughtful yummy touch. Seriously, talk about a memorable first impression! They inherited the property and continue to live on-site with their 103 year old mother, who we later met and sat and shared a glass of white wine with. That alone was such a rare opportunity and we were so fortunate to experience that.
I honestly can’t even begin to describe the house—it felt like stepping into a traditional Provençal museum. The greywashed 300 year old stone walls and red-tiled terracotta floors flowed throughout the main areas of the house. There was 5 bedrooms with 5 bathrooms painted different colors each showing unique french charm. Two sitting rooms, dining room, kitchen, and lovely foyer.
In this post, I’d love to take some time to share my favorite rooms, the design elements that stood out to me, and how the layout and atmosphere made me feel. I’ll also talk about how I’d add a touch of French Flair to my own home and the vintage treasures I picked up at the Saturday flea market.
I hope to leave you feeling inspired! This will be a lengthy post but one you wont want to miss out on. If you are looking to stay in the south of France this summer with your family and friends, you won’t want to miss this! And if you do end up renting this enchanting guest house please say hi to Francis and Veronique from me. If you are a serious renter-message me and I’ll share you their contact, for they are dear friends of ours now.
I shared many videos and reels during my stay, so feel free to check out the highlights on my Instagram, where I posted a lot of photos and details of the rooms. It was such a special experience, and I couldn’t keep it to myself!
The french love to cook, its no wonder the kitchen is stocked with everything you need to make a homemade meal even while on vacation. This kitchen in particularly was tucked away in the corner of the guesthouse, yet equipped, spacious and comfortable. The cabinets were a soft sage green, complementing the stainless steel appliances. I couldn't help but admire the copper pots hanging on the wall, along with the cooking utensils—such a quintessential French touch. I also loved the oil paintings of chickens, lemons, and fruits that adorned the space. The window sill was filled with potted plants and antique trinkets.
In the center of the kitchen, there was a wooden dining table covered in colorful linen, where we sat and ate breakfast most mornings, a warm fresh flakey croissant that my husband would pick up from the local bakery. Mmm I could still taste and smell the richness of this french croissant. We thoroughly enjoyed cooking in this spacious French kitchen—one evening I roasted a chicken with vegetables, all sourced from the market, and we made French crepes with eggs also from the local farmers market. We ate outside on the terrace most evenings and in the formal dining room under candlelight, making every meal feel special. It was a time I will always cherish and remember and I hope my kids will too.
The main living area was spacious and cozy. The sofas and chairs were very comfortable. There was so many details in this home. Pay attention to them. What naturally draws your eye? Embrace the beauty of aged wood, distressed finishes, and timeworn patinas for that effortless je ne sais quoi. Fill your home with the scent of fresh flowers, flickering candles, and stacks of old French books—because a little bit of France is always a good idea.
These are the the kind of unique French details you can Incorporate to your home.
Table lamps
old portrait paintings
Antique wood furniture
Tapestry Pillows
French Art
Mirrors
washed linen tablecloths
worn terracotta pots
copper cookware
vintage bread board
French café cups
Ironstone dishes
Florals
Candle Tapers
Art Books
the French and their charming trinket little boxes—boîtes à trésors! It's all about sentimentality, craftsmanship, and the art of collecting beautiful, storied objects. (I’m obsessed with these cute little boxes!)
Fill a bowl with postcards, or vintage perfume bottles.
The temperature was cool and perfect inside despite it being in the middle of hottest month of the year. The thick stone walls truly kept us cool.
I was eagerly looking forward to visiting the famous Villeneuve-lès-Avignon Flea Market on Saturday morning. It was just a short seven-minute walk from our guest house, and I could hardly wait. I woke up early while my family was still asleep, slipped out quietly, and made a quick stop at the bakery for an espresso and croissant—fuel for the adventure ahead. As I approached the market, my first impression was simply wow! I could feel myself smiling inside and out, absolutely beaming with excitement.
This, to me, is my love language—thrifting, hunting for treasures, finding beauty in forgotten things. Back home in California, I thrift weekly, always on the lookout for French antiques. But here, EVERYTHING was actually French! I was completely blown away.
I must have walked the market three times in circles, soaking it all in. I watched early buyers come prepared—wagons in tow, ready to fill them with treasures (and probably containers full). The market was overflowing with stunning furniture, home kitchen décor, pottery, linens, and so so so much art. It was pure bliss!
My only regret? Not bringing enough euro cash. I had only taken a small amount, and most vendors only accepted euros—only a few took credit cards. Lesson learned! Now, I’m dreaming of making a trip back just for this market, to buy directly from the source, with a pocket full of euros and an empty suitcase ready to be filled. I made a reel on my instagram and tik tok.
I hope to leave you feeling inspired by the charm of France. I could go on and on, sharing a thousand more photos, but I'll stop here and instead leave you with a few secondhand treasures I've searched the internet for—so you don’t have to! Just in case you’d like to add a touch of France to your home.
Thank you so much for your support!