It’s been quite an eventful week in Paris and France, which you can read more about below. For me personally the week was pleasantly uneventful for the most part. Spring is really starting to pop up and it’s hard to not feel giddy at the prospect of ditching my winter gear for a while. Some of my favorites from Weekend Links Week 12 include a really good article with tips if you’re traveling to Paris soon, a comparison of work life balance between France and other countries, a list of gorgeous Cannes hotels that has me dreaming of a trip, and a look inside the billion dollar project to clean up the Seine. Enjoy!

This week is one of my favorites of the year in Paris with the Chatou antiques fair. It happens twice a year and is an event I would highly recommend planning a trip around if you’re at all interested in antiques. I’ve found so many treasures over this years and this year was no exception. Emily and I spent the day exploring and Romain even came during lunch to meet us as well, although sadly he couldn’t stay long so we have a return trip in our future either this weekend or next. Some of my favorites from Weekend Links Week 11 include a list of the 24 best bars in Paris, an article that left me craving a salad, and the dreamiest list of the best villas in the South of France. Enjoy!

It was a gorgeous but very, very cold week in Paris. I had a lot of work to catch up on following my trip to the Loire Valley, but managed to carve some time out on Wednesday to visit the Salon International de l’Agriculture with my friend Emily. It’s almost like a French version of a state fair, although without rides and games. We got up close and personal with beautiful animals, including enormous cows, and checked out the various food booths. There were regional specialties from all around France and many gave out free samples if you were willing to wait. They also had an entire international food section. It was super crowded which you have to anticipate going into it, but if you’re in town while it’s going on it would be a fabulous foodie activity and great place to shop for goodies to bring home. Some of my favorites from Weekend Links Week 10 include a list of new stores, restaurants, and exhibits in Paris, a list of 110 French dog names (of course), and a look at immigrant women leading France’s creative scene. Enjoy!

This week blew by as I spent most of it in the Loire Valley. I visited the region in December as well – it is so convenient from Paris and a fabulous place to experience. The châteaux are stunning and the countryside gorgeous, even in the middle of winter but especially so during the other seasons. Some of my favorites from Weekend Links Week Nine include a review of the new Karl Lagerfeld biography, a look at a new château-hotel opening, and a story connecting Jackie Kennedy, the Mona Lisa and a French Ambassador’s wife. Enjoy!

I caught up on some much-needed rest last weekend which changed my entire week. Romain and I had an early Valentine’s Day dinner at home with caviar (served with both chips and blinis), a special steak that my dad carried on the plane to Paris from Dallas, and Aligot. We decided it was going to be our new tradition going forward. On actual Valentine’s Day I had a fun lunch with girlfriends at Mon Square. I rarely go out for lunch during the week and it was a great reminder that I need to do it more often. Being self-employed has pros and cons, the biggest con for me being I’m not very good at taking breaks or time off. This weekend we have a lunch that I’ve been looking forward to for a while but otherwise no plans. I’m looking forward a relaxing weekend before heading out of town next week. Some of my favorites from Weekend Links Week Eight include Thom Browne’s guide to Saint-Tropez, a must-visit Paris restaurant from Anthony Bourdain, and an amazing experience at Palais Garnier. Enjoy!