About

The story behind Memories of France... One café. One photo. A love letter to France.

This site was born out of love — for France, and for the many trips that made me fall for it, the way so many people do.

Over the years, I picked up small things along the way — bits of everyday etiquette that locals take for granted, but that no one really tells first-time visitors. Little things that, once you know them, make all the difference in how you're received. I realised these small lessons, learned mostly through trial and error on my own visits, might actually be useful to someone about to experience France for the first time.

Many first-time visitors will only make it to Paris — and honestly, that's enough for a first trip. But France is a big country, full of incredible places, each with its own character and its own experiences to offer, depending on how far and how deep you're able to explore.

The artwork you see throughout the site is all based on one simple photograph: an early morning shot of a local bar/tabac/café, the kind you'll find in almost every French town. I took it in a small village called Azay-le-Rideau, home to — in my opinion — one of the most beautiful châteaux in France, set in a truly wonderful location. Visit Azay-le-Rideau and see it for yourself here.

That photo became the inspiration for the travel journal you'll find here (Edition 1) — and from there, it felt natural to turn the artwork and the original photo into a small range of products for others to enjoy too.

I hope you love what you find here, and that it inspires you to visit France yourself. You won't be disappointed — because France is so much more than just Paris. Just remember: the places are beautiful, but it's the people who can make your trip even better, if you pay attention to a few little things along the way.