How to Frenchify Your Summer

June 23, 2020

Paris Seine River

When you can’t go to France this summer…bring France to you! This year Rebecca of Everyday Parisian has been running a “How to Frenchify…” series that I’ve loved reading so I was honored when she asked if I’d like to team up to share ideas on how to Frenchify Your Summer this season.

How to Frenchify Your Summer

As the founder of Paris, Perfected I’m a Francophile at heart. I love uniting with other fellow Francophiles to bring a bit of French culture to your everyday life. I hope the following will inspire you in your every day life.

Meghan’s Picks to Frenchify Your Summer

Make homemade confiture.

Beautiful jars of jam are staples at markets in the summer throughout France and making a jar of homemade jam is a great weekend activity. Head to your local farmer’s market to buy what is in season and then get to work over the stove. I am personally partial to Strawberry Rhubarb Confiture in the summer but also love apricot when paired with goat cheese atop fresh bread. I highly recommend adding a dollop of your fresh jam to a bowl of vanilla ice cream as well and it’ll also be delicious when stirred into plain yogurt (the latter being a trick my French host-mom taught me during my study abroad semester in Paris!)

Host a rosé tasting with friends on Zoom.

Select three bottles for everyone to procure before the call and then share tasting notes and thoughts on each. Consider a bubbling rosé and varietals that differ in color or region.

Throw an at-home apero.

The French version of a happy hour is a favorite pastime of mine. Prepare a French-inspired cocktail and build an epic French cheese and charcuterie plate with cured meats and sausages, marinated olives, a variety of cheeses and of course some crusty baguette.

Take a French cooking class.

Rebecca’s and my favorite cooking school in Paris, La Cuisine Paris, recently started offering some of their classes virtually! You can learn how to make croissants, macarons and French sauces all from the comfort of your own home at very reasonable prices.

Make a pitcher of infused Citron Pressé (French lemonade).

Here is a recipe for Ginger Citron Pressé but you could also substitute the ginger for basil, thyme or lavender.

Read A Year in Provence.

It’ll instantly transport you to Southern France and have the wheels turning for planning a visit of your own as soon as it is safe to do so. The chapters covering the summer months were my favorite part of the book and brought up so many fond memories of my trip to the region last summer.

Add a French facial mist to your routine.

The Caudalie Beauty Elixir is a favorite of mine all year but particularly in the summer. It hydrates skin, is so cooling on an extra hot day and has antibacterial properties to help fight any summer breakouts you may be experiencing from the heat.

Related: Caudalie Skincare Review

Celebrate Bastille Day.

Celebrate France’s Independence Day on July 14th with a Bastille Day picnic. Might I suggest baking a summery take on the classic Madeline for your picnic? These Orange Blossom Honey Madelines sound divine.

Try Pastis.

This Provence staple is such a delight watered down when served over ice. You can read about its storied past here.

Learn how to make a classic French cocktail.

Speaking of classic French drinks, join me and learn how to make a French 75 or Kir Royale both of which are a delight in the summer.  If curious to learn more about the drinking habits of the French this summer, I highly recommend the new book Drinking French.

Listen to a Parisian inspired playlist.

Transport yourself to Paris with my Spotify playlist Paris is Always a Good Idea. I particularly love listening to it while baking or cooking.

Virtually visit the lavender fields of Provence.

Thanks to Google we can all virtually transport ourselves to the famed Valensole Plateau lavender fields which are just about to reach their peak.

Add to your summer wardrobe with something from Sezane. 

The French brand Sezane will steal your heart if you’ve not yet already discovered them. Their Essentials are a wonderful way to update your wardrobe to be full of French inspired staples.

Take a trip to the French Riviera with a tour of the gardens at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.

This striking mansion in France’s Cap Ferrat is stunning to visit (I went last summer) and you can virtually take a tour of the gardens that boast nine different themes: French, Spanish, Japanese, Florentine, Provençal, exotic, a stone garden, a rose garden, and the Sèvres garden.

 

Are you looking to know more about the French way of life and get insider tips for an upcoming trip to Paris? I would love to work with you! Book a Paris, Perfected plan with me today.

 

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  1. Rebecca says:

    This was such a fun post to work on together! I love your ideas and can’t wait to incorporate them into my French Summer at home. xo

  2. Katie H says:

    How have I never seen A Good Year? I know my weekend plans… thanks for the wonderful Frenchy suggestions, Meghan and Rebecca!

  3. Alex says:

    Can I ask where you got the hat dear? Many thanks

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