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Travel Journal
A Week of Antiquing in Paris
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When we planned this Paris tour, we knew we wanted it to feel more intimate. A smaller group, more time in each place, and a real focus on antiques, without losing that sense of discovering a more local, lived-in side of the city.
We ended up with just six guests, which completely changed the rhythm of the week. It felt easy, personal, and very natural, like spending a few days in Paris with a small group of friends who all share the same curiosity for beautiful objects, history, and the stories behind them.
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We started the tour with a welcome lunch at La Belle Époque, a Persian-French restaurant we love. It was the perfect setting to get to know each other and set the tone for the week.
Right after lunch, we crossed the street to visit the Pierre Frey archives. We were welcomed by Sophie, the archive conservator, and Patrick Frey himself. It felt incredibly special to be there in such a small group, standing together in the archives room, going through fabrics and learning about the history of the house.
On our way back to the 6th arrondissement, we stopped by Antoinette Poisson, one of our favourite French brands, before taking a bit of downtime.
We ended the day with dinner at Le Récamier, an iconic spot for soufflés. Simple, classic, and exactly what you want for a first evening in Paris.
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The next morning, we headed out to the Chatou fair and spent the entire day there. Sharon guided us through her favourite vendors, introducing us to people she’s known for years.
We found everything, from paintings to tapestries to frames, and even though it rained most of the day, it didn’t take away from the experience. If anything, it made it feel even more memorable.
In the afternoon, Sharon had her book signing, which added a really nice moment to the day. We just kept exploring, taking our time, and enjoying the atmosphere despite the weather.
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The next day, we started early at the Vanves market, which is always a favourite. There’s something about the mix there, you can find beautiful cutlery, fabrics, paintings… a bit of everything. Sharon helped everyone navigate, negotiate, and connect with her trusted vendors.
For lunch, we went to La Petite Chaise, one of the oldest restaurants in Paris.
In the afternoon, we stopped at La Maison du Bac, a shop we always love, before heading further out for a private visit of the Mobilier National.
That visit was a real highlight, seeing pieces used by kings and presidents, and understanding the role these objects still play today. It gave a completely different perspective on French heritage.
Sunday was dedicated to Saint-Ouen. It’s hard to describe the scale of it, it really does feel like an entire village dedicated to antiques.
Sharon once again guided us through her favourite spots, which makes all the difference in a place like this. We spent the whole day exploring, stopping for lunch there, and just moving from one discovery to the next.
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Monday was one of the most special days of the trip.
We left Paris for a visit to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. The château is still privately owned, and we were welcomed by Julie, the conservator and one of the owners.
The visit felt incredibly personal. We took our time going through the rooms, learning about the history of the château, the furniture, the tapestries, Julie shared everything with so much clarity and passion.
We had lunch at the château and then spent time walking through the gardens designed by Le Nôtre. It was calm, beautiful, and a nice change of pace after the busy days in Paris.
©MFCH
On our last day, we went to Rungis to visit Florence’s store. It felt like proper treasure hunting, everyone found something, and we could have easily stayed longer.
We spent the morning there before heading back into Paris for a farewell lunch at Le Grand Café in the Grand Palais.
It was the perfect way to end the week, looking back at everything we’d seen and found, and realising how much we’d packed into just a few days without it ever feeling rushed.
This tour reminded us how much the group dynamic shapes the experience. With just six guests, everything felt more personal and more connected.
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