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The topic today is Ecocert, an independent and impartial environmental organisation that provides certifications, consulting, and training services. We have so many brand products that are Ecocert certified, ranging from face care to body care from the French brands Le Moly and Distillerie Saint-Hilaire. Not many consumers, though, understand what it means to be certified by Ecocert and why it is important (to our health but also to the environment) to get their certifications. We are explaining it to you! WHAT DO ECOCERT DO EXACTLY? Since 1991, the year Ecocert were created, the organisation has been advocating the idea of a sustainable world (i.e. organic farming) for over 30 years. Over the years, they have gone beyond the borders of France to other countries (over 130), promoting eco practices through certifications and supporting many businesses through advice and training to help them transform. That means if any company wants to get their products certified, the productions have to respect the local ecosystems and will not harm the natural resources (water, air, soil). Businesses also have to guarantee the safety and quality of their products so we, the end users, can use them without concerns. THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOCERT & THEIR CERTIFICATIONS In 2002, Ecocert created their first ecological and organic cosmetic standard, urging the cosmetic and skincare sectors to be environmentally and socially responsible while creating their products. In 2014, Ecocert started to share their know-how through training and consultations, which have been helping different professionals analyse, consolidate, and transform their practices towards more sustainable models, including organic farming. In doing so, organisations are more easily progressed and receive recognition for their commitments. Certifications are Ecocert’s core business, through which they have defined a system of compliance for other businesses to follow. Today, they have a long list of certifications according to the environmental and societal criteria, among which are: Organic agriculture Europe; Organic and natural cosmetics; Organic and ecological textiles; Fair Trade, etc. The list ranges from agri-food to forestry to textiles, cosmetics, or eco products. Each certificate represents a rigorous process of audit that guarantees the traceability and conformity of a product or service with the environment. Their role is to give us, the consumers, the trust that we often seek from the brands. Therefore, any product bearing an Ecocert logo is a reference of confidence and naturality. But Ecocert is hard on themselves as well. To set an example, the headquarters of Ecocert also achieves the objective of becoming a positive energy building. Located in the region of Toulouse in southern France, the building is able to produce more energy than it consumes. Their head office, built using natural and local materials like wood and straw, shows that we all can contribute to a better environment if we are dedicated to it. Want to know what products are Ecocert certified? Go to our search bar and type “Ecocert” to find out!

Having been living in Paris for some time, we have visited some of the city’s most familiar museums, like the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie, the Centre Pompidou, Palace of Versailles etc. It wasn’t until last month, though, that we finally visited the Petit Palais (and it’s free to all!!). They say it’s better late than never. In this case, this Parisian Museum of Fine Arts really didn’t disappoint. Mind you, we are not going to talk about its art collection, but its magnificent design. If symmetrical façade, columns, interior decoration etc. interest you, keep reading! BUILT FOR THE 1900 UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION Do you know that Paris has 14 museums, and that the Petit Palais is one of them? Built together with the Grand Palais in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition, its purpose was to exhibit various French art originated from the 1800s. Starting 1902, it has become a museum (Palais des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris) that is accessible to all. Though a museum, one of its most distinguishable features to us is its design. Unlike the Louvre whose Pyramid design is quite contemporary or the glass and metal structure of the Centre Pompidou that is quite signature, the exterior of the Petit Palais is a different genre. Designed by the French architect Charles Girault, it has the traditional columns, the modern grand porch, the classic stained glass windows and sculptures, the iconic dome, and the very stylish mosaics. The Palais itself is literally a piece of art that we can get in to admire its architecture. THE ARCHITECTURE - ENTRANCE, GARDEN, STAIRS The main façade of the Petit Palais is already something, a grand staircase leading us right to the gilded entrance gate topped by a dome. When you step into the Palais, the first extraordinary view that you are going to see is its entrance hall. Bathed in the natural bright sunlight, the grand rotunda is lit by stained glass and decorated with four paintings (La Mystique, La Plastique, La Pensée, and La Matière) on the vaulted ceiling. You see also the Italian mosaics on the floor. Together, they mark prestigiously the beginning of your tour. On the left through the glass door, you will find its famous courtyard garden with a semi-circular walkway built in peristyle. As Petit Palais is trapezoid, it leaves a spacious area in the centre, where the garden is located for visitors to rest and relax. We especially enjoyed the walkway ceiling, which is decorated with paintings that signify the 4 seasons, the 12 months of the calendar, as well as the hours of the day and night. Each has its own interpretation, like Winter is the time of suffering and Summer is the hymn of happiness. The classy internal staircase in the Petit Palais is of significance too. Charles Girault specifically designed the staircase using wrought iron to achieve a sense of lightness and elegance. Not only does the spiral show exquisite craftsmanship, the balustrade is also of the Art Nouveau style that juxtaposes with the classy, academic art inside the gallery. When we first saw the staircase, it looked as if it were floating, without any structural support to reinforce the middle. Anyone who passes by will for sure be beheld by Girault’s stunning design. The upper floor where the stairs are allows people to discover the sculptures and paintings of the 1900s. Down the stairs is the ground level that keeps works of art from the Antiquity, Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. If you are planning to visit the place, be sure to give yourself 4-5 hours to really immerse in it, cause that’s the time it took us to savour the place and the art pieces it holds. P.s. do you know the prestigious gothic style was once described as ugly and barbaric?

The French sablés are my favourite. Crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside, they can be very addictive if you are not careful. I know it because that’s what I felt when I discovered La Sablésienne. The baking journey of La Sablésienne started in 1962. The French artisanal “biscuiterie” (biscuit/cookie maker) opened its workshop in Sablé-sur-Sarthe that year, focusing on making pure butter sablé cookies using only traditional recipes. This started the beginning of its baking story. THE STORY OF LA SABLÉSIENNE The story of La Sablésienne is the passing of their baking recipes from generation to generation in the town of Sablé-sur-Sarthe, located in the heart of the Pays de la Loire, France. It began with Madeleine de Souvré, the “Marquise de Sablé”, who held regularly her “school of delicacies” sessions in her workshop. One day, in July 1670, she was invited to an event where then King’s brother also attended. As a guest of honour, Madeleine prepared some tiny biscuits for the participants. The King's brother happened to love them, so much so that he ordered Madeleine to serve them to him every day. That’s the original story of the birth of these little sablés. In 2003, Amélie Loret Scherrer took over La Sablésienne. She herself was also a pastry chef and has been passionate about making biscuits at the age of 6. She enjoys, at the same time, finding forgotten recipes as much as creating artistic designs. That is why, she and her team made the beautiful design of each biscuit box, with an aim to make the boxes an emblem of French “l’Art de vivre” (the art of living). THE SAVOIR-FAIRE OF LA SABLÉSIENNE Wanting her customers to taste traditional French biscuits, Amélie insists on using the best of ingredients, e.g flour from the West of France, free-range eggs, and fresh butter. Their sablés are of such quality that no artificial flavour, preservative, and colouring can be found within. Cookies are baked on metal plates and then picked by hand at La Sablésienne, just as they were more than 50 years ago. Cookies coming not from machines, but by hand, it is this human touch that keeps the tastes just as good as they were. By keeping more than 30 recipes, perfecting the artisanal know-how, and guaranteeing the quality of the ingredients, the French “biscuiterie” has developed innovative delicacies that attract even the cookie connoisseurs to have a taste of their art of French biscuit making. That’s the legacy of La Sablésienne.

Do you know that we can trace the root of biscuit back to the Roman Empire? This easy-to-carry and long-lasting food must have been an ideal choice for the Roman soldiers while they were busy enlarging their territories. Today, even though the need for long-lasting foods diminishes, it doesn’t stop us from continuing to make all kinds of biscuits … butter cookies, crackers, or shortbread. Well, with some cheese, chocolate, or honey, they certainly are as heavenly delicious as they are convenient to nibble. BISCUITS AGED OVER A CENTURY We mentioned a bit of the biscuit history because today’s topic is a biscuit that is aged over a century: La Mère Poulard’s Pure Butter Sablé Cookies. In today’s sales-over-quality, gimmick-over-tradition environment, La Mère Poulard insist on respecting their own biscuit making tradition, following their ancestors’ recipes and packaging that remind the customers of the authenticity and root of their biscuits. WHAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT? But what makes their sablé cookies soft and crumbly and buttery is the fact that only fresh and quality ingredients like pure butter, natural flavours, and free-range eggs are used. No preservatives or palm oil is added in the process. Simple in taste, yet you can savour both the savoury and buttered flour every mouthful. With the “1888” inscription on every cookie, La Mère Poulard are emphasising their tradition over invention and modernization. It is their devotion to taste and customers’ satisfaction that stand at the heart of this French brand.

A while ago, a client of ours had asked us if we could find any organic lipsticks for her. Given the French preference for organic stuff, we would think it should be an easy task. IT WASN’T! Because of their fondness for natural products, there are just so many. We ended up taking some time to do our research to find the needle in a haystack of an organic market, but it’s worth it. Narcisséa lipsticks are not just any organic lipsticks, each of the colour has its own fragrance as well as aromatherapy and olfactory therapy. Wearing them will be like having an emotional guide from nature all day long! WHAT ARE NARCISSÉA LIPSTICKS MADE OF? Narcisséa lipsticks are products of nature. 99% of their lipsticks are of natural ingredients, which include only the best of what nature provides, e.g. vegetable oils and butters, vegetable waxes, natural pigments and minerals, and other natural active ingredients. Vegetable oils and butters Organic castor oil: indispensable to all natural lipsticks. Its thickness holds and gives a good dispersion of pigments; Organic shea butter: extracted using traditional method, this butter gives as much protection to your lips as a lip balm; Organic plum oil: coming from the kernels of prunes, this oil is nourishing to the lips; Organic camelina oil: a hidden natural treasure that provides soothing and repairing functions. Vegetable waxes Candelilla wax: an essential ingredient of a lipstick and provides protection; Organic carnauba wax: a hard wax that gives resistance and hold to prevent a lipstick from breaking; Japan wax: this special wax gives incredible smoothness with a unique silky finish; Pine resin: very thick and adherent that helps hold the lipsticks. Natural pigments and minerals Silica: bringing softness and a matte finish; Pigments: coming only from nature; Hydroxyapatite and calcium carbonate: natural minerals offering excellent colour opacity, alternatives to titanium dioxide; Natural micas: tiny particles with a thin outer layer of pigments bringing golden or red reflections. Natural perfume and active ingredients Natural perfume: emotions can be triggered by scents. With a French laboratory specialising in aromachology, only select essential oils and natural isolates are used to create a particular Narcisséa lipstick that emit a pleasant aroma; Natural vitamin E: extracted from sunflower oil, vitamin E, with its antioxidant property, helps prevent the fatty substances from oxidising and becoming rancid. What is special in Narcisséa lipsticks is that they are a beauty product that is natural and aromatherapeutic at the same time. The natural ingredients in them mean that the lipsticks will take care of both your lips and minds. Check out these four Narcisséa lipsticks to find the ones that suit you for different occasions.

The use of floral waters (Hydrosols) can date back to several thousand years ago, for their virtues are immense and their productions require simply a process of distillation. Records show that floral waters were used in Ancient Greece, Egypt, China, Europe for their purification properties, medical purposes, skincare, as perfumes for bathing, etc. Legend even has it that Cleopatra soaked the sails of her boat in rose water so the fragrance would float sweetly and people would smell her scent long before you saw her. With technological advancement, more and more virtues are discovered in floral waters and they have become quite fashionable since the 18th century. Nowadays, there exists various kinds of floral water. Lavender, rose, and camomile are the most common ones among them. WHAT MAKES GOOD-QUALITY FLORAL WATERS? Floral waters (hydrolates) are a product of distillation of aromatic or non-aromatic plants, which means they are mainly composed of water and should be kept in blue bottles to be away from air and light. A 1:1 ratio (e.g. 1kg of the plant with 1L distilled water) is recommended to ensure its quality. The plant should be organic as well to avoid the presence of chemicals. The floral waters made by Distillerie Saint-Hilaire are always organic and certified by the Cosmo organic label, which means its naturalness is guaranteed. THE PROPERTIES OF FLORAL WATERS AND HOW TO CHOOSE THEM When water is distilled with the plants/flowers, they are generally scented, which can be strong (rose) or light (cornflower) depending on the ingredient used. They share a lot of common virtues, but each floral water also has its own special properties. Here at Maison Evelyn, we have a few for you to choose from: Organic Roman Camomile Floral Water: does wonders during season changes. It helps our delicate skin adjust to the changing seasons by purifying, moisturising, and calming it. It can also bring immediate comfort to irritated and sensitive skin and revitalise our skin tone; Organic Cornflower Floral Water: a lifesaver after a long day of work. It is especially known for taking care of tired and puffy eyes. Its antioxidants can reduce fine lines under the eyes as well; Organic Rose Floral Water: our beauty ally. In summer, replace mineral water spray with Rose Floral Water to refresh yourself. Its rose fragrance is quite refreshing and it also invigorates and brightens any skin type. Its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties help shrink large pores as well as reduce redness and irritation. It is our favourite and it’s pretty much a cure-all skin solution; Organic Lemon Balm (Melissa) Floral Water: newly added product to destress. Stress can be everywhere. This floral water is known for its anti-stress properties to help with mental exhaustion, anxiety, and stress. In skincare, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities can fight against signs of ageing and soothe skin inflammation and irritation. The gentle nature of floral waters means that they are an ideal ingredient for DIY skincare (e.g. mixed in clay, cream, or mask) to soften, calm, brighten, or balance the skin. They can be used for treating acne, skin allergies, eczema, redness, and are also effective in treating conjunctivitis, pruritus, small wounds, and fungal infections, etc. They can, of course, be used for hair care to provide natural nourishment to the hair and give it a sweet floral fragrance. Their gentleness and versatility are what make them essential in our daily life.

We must admit, of all the exhibitions and events we have had the chance to visit in Paris, “Le Grand numéro de Chanel”, from 15 Dec 2022 to 9 Jan 2023, was the biggest and most glamorous we have ever experienced. It was an exhibition, an art performance, music and magic shows, a surprising perfume discovery, and many more. Many waited for hours to get inside the Grand Palais Éphémère, where the exhibition was held, many were not disappointed when they came out. The sensational perfumes were obviously the heart of the event, which made this a unique experience to everyone as our senses were awoken differently under Chanel’s distinctive perfumes. Want to learn more about this olfactory exhibition? THE FIVE GIANT BOTTLES OF CHANEL PERFUMES To say “Le Grand Numéro de Chanel” was the manifestation of Chanel is a precise statement. Once entered, what came in our eyes were professional dancers and magicians interacting with us and making an exceptional performance. The elegant decor (the playing cards in XXL size, the lion sculptures, and of course the Chanel logo) also left an unforgettable impression. Inside this grandiose room were 5 enormous bottles of Chanel perfume highlighting its 5 iconic perfumes: Chanel N°5 Bleu de Chanel Chance Les Exclusifs collection Coco Mademoiselle We were free to explore the universe of Chanel through the 5 areas, where we could understand the perfume brand’s know-how, its history, and experience ourselves even the slightest differences of its fragrances. CHANEL N°5: A SEDUCTIVE NUMBER Of all the perfumes, Chanel N°5, in particular, has to be the most seductive one. Its 100+ years of journey began in 1921, the year the French perfumer Ernest Beaux created N°5 by the request of Gabrielle Chanel. Stepping into this part of the expo, we were already in awe. It was a passage whose ceiling was covered with the stars of Chanel. Through the arches, we could witness the art of Baudruchage, the way to seal a bottle of Chanel N°5 extract, talk to professionals about the history of N°5, or learn the subtle variations of N°5 through the brand’s perfumery laboratory. It’s also where a catwalk was built so you could watch Chanel’s previous advertising campaigns and take a close look at the dresses that celebrities like Nicole Kidman or Marion Cotillard wore. BLEU DE CHANEL & CHANCE The exhibition also devoted an area to the men's line “Bleu de Chanel”. At the front of the room, the colour blue dominated, allowing you to immerse yourself in the models of skyscrapers while playing with the music and lights. Through here was where we could learn the differences among eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and perfume. The next part was dedicated to the four Chance fragrances. As a reference to these four perfumes, Chanel created a classy casino where we could bet on roulette and win tokens of gifts like small mirrors or brand decorations. On the way in or out the casino was a backstage, a reminiscence of Gabrielle Chanel becoming Coco Chanel while singing in Moulins back in 1901. LES EXCLUSIFS: 18 CHANEL FRAGRANCES There was even an art gallery with works of art going up and down in order to showcase the 18 scents. It’s also here that Chanel perfume psychologists would consult you to identify your aura, simply by sitting on a couch and answering a few questions. Based on your answers, the psychologist would give you an olfactory “prescription”. You could then get this “prescription” to the Exclusifs counter and order one of the 18 fragrances that corresponded most to your personality. THE SEDUCTION OF COCO MADEMOISELLE Of course, it was inevitable to mention Coco Mademoiselle in a Chanel event. The visit ended with a long pink corridor, leading to the world of Coco Mademoiselle. It was actually a life-size chess game where chess pieces, screens, and interactive keyboards were placed to entertain and seduce. You could then enter a futuristic make-up room in which different fashion items of the brand and the Coco Mademoiselle perfumes were exhibited. And hey, before leaving, we could also pick up the phone and listen to Coco Chanel’s unique messages as a goodbye souvenir. “Le Grand Numéro de Chanel” was a sublime demonstration of the emblematic perfumes of Chanel. This was the place where experts and perfume lovers alike would find themselves unconsciously lingering in this olfactory universe that Chanel had so meticulously and creatively created. With a mixture of culture, entertainment, and luxury, this exhibition was rich in emotions and discoveries and without a doubt, delighted us in the most sensational and unique way. P.s. this “LV DREAM: 160 Years of Journey of Louis Vuitton” might just interest you too :)

Last week, we went to a sporting event, well sort of. To motivate the Parisians to exercise more, Hermès organised an exceptional fitness event at the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, where luxury and sport come to meet together. The French luxury label has always been known for its affiliation with equestrianism, so it might not be a surprise that Hermès organised this crossover to invite the public to discover its new range of accessories (silk scarves, shoes, bracelets, belts, etc.) through sport. AN OLD LADY WHO LOVES HERMÈS The day we went to the event was a frigid rainy day, and the wind was biting. Just when we were about to arrive, we met a well-dressed old lady, stumbling to get in. As a health pass is often required nowadays in France, she was also requested to show hers. As requested, she dropped her umbrella and went looking in her bag under the rain. Trembling, she showed her health pass and could finally get in. She was freezing. As soon as she was inside, she ordered a cup of hot tea and got warm near a heater, trying to get some rest. She must love Hermès very much to have wanted to come there. What a way to show their “Art de Vivre”! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! It’s a joy to be able to participate in these exceptional events. I loved very much the Hermès Hors les Murs exhibition in Lyon in 2019, where the brand arranged some experts to demonstrate how to make printed silk scarves, saddles, or handbags. Hermès Fit was also a lovely event, where fashion and sport come together. Coaches were on site. Whether you like yoga, weight lifting, boxing, or stretching, you would have the opportunities to do so in a bright orange classic Hermès decor. Plus, you would have the chance to lift barbells and kettlebells branded the label Hermès. So it’s still a special experience. If you would love to see what was happening in the event, here is a little clip for you. P.s. Chaumet “Végétal – L’École de la beauté” at the Beaux-Arts de Paris or this Parisian department store bought by LVMH and gone through 16 years of renovation might just interest you too :)

Who doesn’t love a street market where you can taste some ancestral recipes and discover some regional history? What if the theme of the market is also about living heritage? Intriguing, right? What I am talking about is the Marché des Pays de l'Aveyron, a festive market for the people of Aveyron (a department in southern France) to share the fruits of their labour with other French departments. Every year, more than 70 Aveyronnais stores are present. This year’s 21st edition was held in Paris two weeks ago. What they brought to the capital were the ancestral know-how and renowned traditional techniques so Parisians could discover them. So if wine, bread, cheese, and honey etc. interest you, here is the clip to see it yourself. P.s. talking about bread, do you know where to find the best baguette 2021 in Paris?

The tree is all set, on which ornaments like baubles, balls, snowmen, angels, and string lights are hung and presents are placed underneath. The house looks very decorated with the Christmas tree and all the festive ornaments. All that is left is a plan for the day, so what do the French do exactly to celebrate Christmas? FRENCH GASTRONOMY AT CHRISTMAS It probably goes without saying that the perfect way to spend Christmas in France is to spend it with family, but it’s probably also safe to say that you still need some edible to make your Christmas memorable. In France, before the feast is ready, many French will be busy making sablés, marinating the chicken to be roasted in the oven, or preparing escargots based on their own traditional recipes. It is not uncommon to have glasses of champagne or rosé or mulled wine for drinks as well as foie gras, cheese platter, charcuterie board, and freshly shucked oysters for appetisers. It’s worth noting that foie gras and oysters are not on the day-to-day menu of any French household but more for special occasions like Christmas. Often, foie gras is accompanied with Christmas jam such as: oranges, apples, dried fruits to fully appreciate this delicacy. Marmalade is usually the preference among the French as it was considered rare and precious in the past. On the dining table, there is also chocolate. As a nation, the French love their chocolate. It won’t be surprising to see all sorts of chocolate at Christmas to spoil the young and the old. If you haven’t found the perfect chocolate, click to discover our Christmas chocolate boxes made by the chocolatiers of Maxim’s de Paris in France. ENJOY CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY Besides eating chocolate and drinking wine, card games or board games are also very common to create cheerful moments during a family gathering at Christmas in France. Christmas Pictionary is THE game to play: we write words related to Christmas on small papers and put them in a box. Then, we are divided into two teams. A member of the team draws a word and gives hints so the team can guess it in 1 minute. Christmas Stocking Guessing Game is another fun, easy game to enjoy: we first hide some Christmas-themed objects (Santa, candy canes, bells, baubles, chocolate etc.). Then, we close the sock with a ribbon and ask the teams to guess what it’s inside the sock by feeling it. There are also some who may prefer a movie or a Christmas story to read with the children. Some may also be doing some last-minute wrapping for the Christmas presents while enjoying conversing with other family members. After all, this is the day that requires all hands on deck. CAPTURE THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC Children adore magic! What’s better than dressing up as Santa Claus while handing gifts to let them experience the Christmassy mystery? Remember to play some Christmas songs and hang some red socks by the walls and windows to top up the vibe. Of course, if you want your children to relive the moments, RECORD them! Christmas gives everyone an opportunity to take wicked or hilarious shots, the craziest the better. These moments of joy are family treasure. Immortalise them during Christmas games and dinner! If the weather grants it, some children in France will get to leave their footprints on a snowy night and play some snowballs. But if you don’t have the opportunity, simply staying with family is not a bad idea at all. P.s. Wanna read The Two Frances That I Get to Know?

If you are going to put something on your face or body, you want it to be as natural as possible, won’t you? Distillerie Saint-Hilaire (previously called De Saint Hilaire) understand that. In fact, the French brand has acquired 7 hectares of land in Auvergne, settled itself in the Parc du Livradois-Forez, and opened its own distillery - just to ensure the quality of its raw materials taken from nature. After all, we all benefit from preserving nature that is not inexhaustible. FOCUS ONLY ON HEALTHY AND NATURAL PRODUCTS 30 years ago, Distillerie Saint-Hilaire chose to settle in a region with unspoiled nature and great floral diversity to produce its own natural essential oils (Lavender, Lemon Zest, Tea Tree etc.) and floral waters (hydrosols). Since then, the brand has been collaborating with local farmers to cultivate and collect medicinal and aromatic plants, strictly following the standard of Agriculture Biologique (a French organic certification organisation). The whole transformation process of the essential oils and hydrosols is 100% pure and natural, meaning no parabens, phenoxyethanol, dyes and synthetic fragrances, animal raw materials, oil from petrochemicals, GMOs are added in their organic products. THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS ON MY SKIN At Distillerie Saint-Hilaire’s own distillery, more than 100 different plants arrive each season, ranging from Lavender or Peppermint cultivated to coniferous branches collected in the forests. The distillation, or maceration or drying is then meticulously done at the distillery in order to preserve the maximum number of active ingredients contained in the plants from which they are derived. Their Volcanic Balm, for example, benefiting from natural ingredients like lemon balm, peppermint, and camomile, has been the best-selling product to relieve joint and muscle pains. I first used the Organic Rose Floral Water to soothe my sensitive skin and it really did what it claims. Its soothing effect is so instant and potent that I have been using it ever since as my daily skincare routine. I love its light texture. Its natural rose fragrance is certainly refreshing and a delight to smell. They are right to say that products being made organically do make a difference. P.s. here you can read our two blog articles about their Volcanic Balm and Floral Waters.

We feel this piece of writing is a long overdue one, as what you are reading happened right at the beginning of the summer 2022. In July, we joined a walking tour organised by Netflix to stroll around Paris visiting some of the most iconic sites filmed in Emily in Paris and Lupin. The guided tour lasted about 3 hours and we were taken to the Luxembourg Gardens, Panthéon, Notre-Dame, and of course where Emily lives and works in Paris as well as Gabriel’s restaurant. Here are some behind the scenes and history that we would like to share with you. THE EMILY IN PARIS SCENES We started at the Luxembourg Gardens (one of the scenes in which Assane Diop was chased in Lupin) and walked towards the Panthéon to reach Place de l'Estrapade in the 5th arrondissement, where Emily's apartment is located in the Netflix series. In fact, her apartment should be a “chambre de bonne”, a little bedroom on the top floor of a bourgeois apartment building. In the past, these types of rooms were intended for servants and can only be accessible by a staircase. With the cost of living in Paris nowadays, these rooms are most popular among students and people with modest income. Emily’s apartment, though a “chambre de bonne” on the outside, is actually too big to be one on the inside. By the way, do you see the little fountain? Behind it is the open space where Emily was confronted by Camille in a dinner party. Just nearby, you can also find Gabriel’s restaurant where Emily loves to frequent. In reality, it is an Italian restaurant. LE CHAMPO & FRENCH CINEMA HISTORY Before heading to Emily’s office, we arrived at Le Champo. In the series, it was Emilly’s Savoir colleague Luc who brought her to this arthouse movie theatre in Paris. This cinema is very popular among students (due to its proximity to Sorbonne), so much so that they were the ones who protested and saved the cinema from closure threatened by real estate projects in the 2000s. Because of their effort, it has been registered as a historical monument in France, thus being able to continue playing classic and national films to the public. If you understand French, this is the place to go; and if you don’t, it doesn’t matter. You should go either way to feel that classical/contemporary vibe. SORBONNE UNIVERSITÉ & THE STATUE OF MONTAIGNE We passed by the Panthéon and Sorbonne Université. As it was on the eve of Bastille Day, the national day of France, the national flags were all over the front of the famous mausoleum. Close to the Panthéon is Sorbonne Université and at the front you can find the statue of Montaigne made of bronze. Here is a known secret. He was a French Renaissance philosopher and an essay writer, which led to a superstitious belief in the eyes of the Sorbonne students that touching his right foot and greeting him “Salut Montaigne”, which means “Hi Montaigne", before an exam will bring good luck. See his bronze shoe being rubbed through the years by anxious hands? I can only assume the ritual works :D After 3 hours of city excursion, we were finally at Savoir. Savoir is in a residential building in the courtyard of Palais Royal. This was also where the tour was finished. We weren’t able to get in, but we did go to many places that we don’t normally go. Credit to Netflix and the tour guide who made the city tour interesting. The guide did a wonderful job telling us stories and stories about Paris, Emily in Paris, and Lupin, we can only hope these tours keep on coming :) P.s. you might like this unusual Parisian spot that attracts lots of visitors every year!