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Bonjour!

Welcome to the world of La French Girl. She shares her adventures and tips to live a healthy, stylish and fulfilling life the French way. Hope you enjoy and get inspired. Thank you for being here.

LA and ME

LA and ME

La French Girl

This is my absolute favorite city in the world! I LOVE Los Angeles. This city has everything I love in the same place: the beach, the mountains, cool vibes, good weather, the hustle and bustle of a big city and the tranquility too. I used to go twice a year in the spring and fall, pre-pandemic. After two years of limited travels, you can imagine my joy when I went back earlier this month for my birthday. I’m now going to share with you my favorite places, neighborhoods and things to do.

My City Guide C’est Ici! (It’s here)

Venice Beach + Santa Monica:

  • Bike along the Venice Boardwalk to Santa Monica Pier.

  • Have fun at Pacific Park on the world famous Santa Monica Pier. The oceanfront amusement park is a must! I celebrated my birthday earlier this month there and I had the best time. You have to do the West Coaster and Pacific Wheel. It’s just a magic experience to ride so close from the ocean. You’re literally front row and can enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific ocean and Los Angeles. I highly recommend to be there for sunset. The magic operates thousand times more.

  • Take a picture in front of the Venice Sign between Pacific & Windward Avenues.

  • Go wander in the Venice Canals.

  • Stop by the DEUS EX MACHINA Shop to buy accessories and clothes for the men in your life. It’s a cool Australian brand, that started in Sydney as a creative space for motorcycles and surf enthusiasts. They have destination stores around the world. You can shop, look for arts and grab a drink or coffee in a cool environment. I’ve been to their Bali and Milan stores as well.

  • Eat and shop on Abbot Kinney Blvd.

  • Visit the Nick Fouquet Store on Abbot Kinney Blvd. If you love hats as much as I do, you will appreciate his hat creations.

  • Explore Brentwood Country Mart in Santa Monica. It’s a cute old-fashioned shopping village with red barn vibes. You will find quaint boutiques, a nice deli, coffee shop and other food places.

Arts district/DTLA:

  • Visit The Broad. It’s a contemporary art museum Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). Don’t forget to gaze at the spectacular architecture of the Walt Disney Concert Hall next door designed by Frank Gehry.

  • Enjoy more art at Hauser & Wirth. This art gallery, located in a very nice historic building is massive and has a very good bookstore: Artbook. Have lunch or cocktails at Manuela, the restaurant inside the gallery.

  • Check out the concept store Dover Street Market for high-fashion products. The LA location is pretty new. The concept is from London, with their first store located on Dover Street in Mayfair. They have other locations worldwide. Their concept store is very creative, showcasing fashion brands in a very unique artsy way. It’s an exhibition type of experience.

  • Take a picture in front of the famous Colette Miller Angel Wings at the Arts District Co-Op on 453 Colyton Street. The artist created the Global Angel Wings Project in 2012 to “remind humanity that we are the angels of this earth.” This is my favorite street art in LA. You can find the angel wings all around LA and the world. Don’t forget to go inside the Co-Op! It’s another cool space selling work of local artists.

  • Eat Tacos & Egg Sandwiches for lunch at Grand Central Market, a downtown landmark. I highly recommend the egg sandwiches at Eggslut. They are super yummy!

  • Take in the creative energy by exploring ROW DTLA. This is a fairly new retail concept full of independent boutiques, restaurants and office spaces.

West Hollywood:

  • Visit the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. This is the new museum about the film industry. It’s very entertaining and interesting to learn about the history of motion pictures and its development. The costume gallery, the Hayao Miyazaki retrospective and the Toy Story 3D Zoetrope were some of my favorite sections of the museum. Make sure to allow 2 hours at least to visit, because it’s a huge museum with several floors.

  • Go experience The Grove. It’s a renowned outdoor mega-mall with a cute small town decor and a big dancing water fountain.

  • Stroll along Melrose Avenue. This is my absolute favorite street to shop in LA. Go check the latest beauty products at Violet Grey, try the cutest ruffle skirts and dresses at LoveShackFancy, jewelry at Mejuri. Take a picture in front of the bright-pink iconic Paul Smith store. Enjoy the view on Hollywood Hills from the beautiful rooftop garden at Restoration Hardware. Explore the California-inspired design of Jenny Kayne apparel and home collection at her store on Almont Drive just off Melrose Ave. and stop at the new Dr. Barbara Sturm boutique and spa on the same street.

  • Tour the Paramount Pictures Studios, the oldest movie studios in the US. It’s awesome to walk in the different decors where Forrest Gump, Grease and Titanic were produced.

  • Have a drink or lunch at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard. You will experience the Hollywood glamour. It has been opened since 1912 and welcomed the Hollywood Elite in the names of Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor who spent a lot of her honeymoons there. And don’t forget to check out the pool!

  • Take a trip to The Stahl House, Case Study House #22. This is the most iconic California Mid-Century House. It’s a true gem hidden in the Hollywood Hills. Mid-century design and architecture lovers have to go! It’s not to be missed.

Favorite Addresses:

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The Joy of Packing Light

The Joy of Packing Light
MIAMI and ME

MIAMI and ME
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