My best travel experiences in France and beyond.Florence Choux
florence@maisonflo.com
415.388.8560
www.maisonflo.com
San Sebastian: Chillida-Leku
Chillida-Leku is dedicated to the work of wonderful sculptor Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002), the Basque Country’s famous child. When you visit the region, you will surely encounter his work at different times and in different ways (“Peine del Viento” in San Sebastian, permanent collection for the Guggenheim Bilbao, photographs of his work here and there…). The museum is located on the Zabalaga estate, about 7 kms from San Sebastian. The Chillida family purchased the first parcel of the estate in 1984 and later bought additional parcels until the land totaled 13 hectares, including a lovely 16th century farmhouse that Eduardo Chillida slowly ...
Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum
As we landed in Bilbao, I knew that I was going to love the architecture in this city. I recognized the style of the airport: Santiago Calatrava, one of my favorite architects, that was a great sign! I did not know however how much I was going to be moved by the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry. Like everyone, I had seen many photographs and even some short documentaries but none of them really gave justice to the magnificent building that the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is. If you are in the area, you should definitely make a detour to ...
Figueres: Dali Theatre Museum
This museum dedicated to Salvador Dali’s art is housed in a 19th century theater that was destroyed at the end of the Spanish civil war. The theater is actually where Dali had his first painting exhibit and is located across from the church where he was baptized. Although I am not a big fan of Dali’s work, I still recommend exploring this museum. And exploring is the right word, as you easily get lost in the different rooms. There is purposely no clear sense of direction so you regularly bump into other visitors. Every little corner has something interesting to ...
Bordeaux: Patisserie Antoine
Yes, I do have a sweet tooth! For a French woman that goes without saying. So when we decided to spend a night in Bordeaux, I knew I had to have one of my personal favorites: a cannelé (well, actually I had three but hey who’s counting?). They are a specialty of Bordeaux. Cannelés are made with flour, sugar, milk, eggs, rum and vanilla. The caramelized outside has a nice brown color while the inside is soft and smooth. Delicious! I have to say that the cannelés I had at Antoine were by far the best I have ever had. Once ...
Terrasson: Jardins de l’Imaginaire
“Les Jardins de l’Imaginaire” is a wonderful series of terraced gardens facing the old town of Terrasson in the “Perigord Noir” in France. What a treat! Walking through the different themed gardens allows your mind to wander and your imagination to get wild. The panoramic views of the old town are also fantastic. The creators of “Les Jardins de l’Imaginaire” are the well-known landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson and the British architect, Ian Ritchie, who won the International competition started by the city of Terrasson. There is a mandatory guided tour which is a great way to understand the concepts behind the gardens’ ...
Paris: Musee d’Orsay
The Musee d’Orsay is certainly one of my favorite museums in the world. Not only does it house superb works of art (I'm especially partial to the Impressionists) but it’s also a building that has a soul and a rich history. In a way, it reminds me of my grandmother, going through wars, ruins and uncertainties but also great periods of success and always having a wonderful story to tell. After the long and windy path, taking wrong turns many times, the building seems to have finally found its purpose: to show art pieces from 1848 to 1914, a short ...
My Latest Posts
Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum
As we landed in Bilbao, I knew that I was going to love the architecture in this city. I recognized the style of the airport: Santiago Calatrava, one of my ...
Barcelona: Mies van der Rohe Pavilion
The German Pavilion, designed by Mies van der Rohe, was built in 1929 for the International Exposition in Barcelona. It is amongst the most famous buildings of the 20th century ...
San Sebastian: Chillida-Leku
Chillida-Leku is dedicated to the work of wonderful sculptor Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002), the Basque Country’s famous child. When you visit the region, you will surely encounter his work at different ...
Bilbao: the best pintxos!
When in the Basque country, you have to have pintxos (pronounced “peentchos”), the local tapas. They are a real social experience. You can find them in bars, displayed on the ...
Figueres: Dali Theatre Museum
This museum dedicated to Salvador Dali’s art is housed in a 19th century theater that was destroyed at the end of the Spanish civil war. The theater is actually where ...
Bordeaux: Patisserie Antoine
Yes, I do have a sweet tooth! For a French woman that goes without saying. So when we decided to spend a night in Bordeaux, I knew I had to ...
Meet Florence
Welcome to The Little Guide Book!
My name is Florence Choux, I am a French interior designer living in the San Francisco Bay Area and I love traveling! This blog is about sharing the most interesting experiences I have during my travels in France and in the rest of Europe, related mostly to interior design, architecture and art. My husband and I travel regularly and I only write about places that, in my opinion, are really worth visiting, places that make me say “wouah”! I specifically enjoy museums (and in particular art from 1850 on), design shops, ceramic ateliers, gardens and anything related to food.
I was born on the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean and growing up on a small island gave me the desire to explore what was on the other side of the globe. After spending my college years in Paris, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. I created my interior design firm, Maison Flo, in 2009 and hope to bring to my clients part of my French aesthetic. I hope you enjoy this blog, please share your thoughts and happy travels!