Take a tour of theFrench

Take a tour of theFrench lifestyleFrench style is world famous – a blend of easyelegance and timeless sophistication, fromFrench country to Provencal and chateauchic. Susie McLaren and Aline Bachelier, twoleading experts in antiques and interior designat La Source antiquing and interior designtours in France, explain what French interiorstyle is all about and how to incorporate it intoyour home.French styleFrench style has cast a spell around the worldfor centuries – but just how do they achievesuch effortless, graceful interiors? “Well it’sa bit like French gastronomy, you take themost simple ingredients, or elements, and youelevate them” says Aline. “You mix and match– old and new, a bit of this and a bit of that –but you never over complicate it!”Skilled crafts have long been revered inFrance, from Gothic décor and furnituremaking in the middle ages – intricate carvingsgalore, to vibrant tapestry making, FrenchRenaissance décor, Haussmanian, art deco,art nouveau and many more styles throughthe ages. The French are renowned forappreciating these finer things in life and asFrench style – a blend of old and new, easy elegance and timeless sophisticationa result, treasured objects are passed downthrough the centuries – it’s never been athrowaway culture.“There is a booming market in France forantiques and vintage everything from clothesto furniture, chaise longues to armoires,chandeliers to textiles, cutlery to glassware,jewellery to ornaments, and much more”explains Susie. “There are treasures thatonce graced the chateaux of French nobility,and treasures that once took pride of placein a grandma’s front room. Vendors pridethemselves on knowing about the provenanceof an item, you may be told how a decanterwas used at a chateau dinner party in the1920s, or have a history lesson on wickerbaskets – antiquing isn’t just about the items,it’s about the stories and memories that youtake home with you.”La Source runs unique tours of Paris andProvence that offer a true experience ofFrench style. After working with antiquesdealers and art galleries in the US for 3 years,Aline joined her family business BachelierAntiquités and spent 30 years at the ParisFlea Market, and now runs antiques shopsand an antique finding consultancy. Susie isan interior designer based in the UK whennot in France, or travelling the world workingwith clients, after several years working asBuying Director at Liberty London. They havea lifetime of experience in interior design andantiques that they love to share.Aline and Susie40 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 41