We are supposed to be in Paris right now. Even though it has been several days since we missed our flight, it still hurt my heart to type that. We had planned a spontaneous trip to celebrate Bastille Day and watch the World Cup final {Allez Le Bleus!} It was going to be an AMAZING once-in-a-lifetime trip, but the story of why we missed the flight is for another post and another day. We decided to make the most of our weekend by finding French spots around Los Angeles to celebrate. This adventure showed us that there are actually many more French spots in Los Angeles than we previously realized! This post is not an exhaustive list of French places in Los Angeles, instead, we’ll share with you a few sample itineraries on how to spend a French inspired day in Los Angeles.
How to Spend a French Inspired Day in Los Angeles
Itinerary 1: A French Picnic
Location: The Grove
When I visited Paris with my sister last year, we had so much fun exploring Rue Cler, a famous market street. The street has a specialty shop for every single kind of thing you can think of from whipped cream to tea. We sat and ate a small bite at several locations and picked up picnic essentials for a picnic we were having along the Seine. To my surprise, you can slightly recreate this experience at The Grove! Just a small disclaimer, it is NOT very French to eat at multiple spots or to spoil your appetite with snacks before a meal, but I just couldn’t resist when there are so many great places to try!
First stop: Monsieur Marcel
Start your tour at the iconic French restaurant in the Farmer’s Market, Monsieur Marcel. Their custom cheese boards are divine. I love sitting at the bar and ordering frites {fries} and a glass of dry rose. Not because it’s particularly better here than anywhere else, it just reminds me of sitting down at a bar in Paris. You could also do oysters and rose or whatever else reminds you of Paris. Just don’t eat too much, as you have lots of other stops to make and a picnic coming soon!
Make sure to take your time and people watch; this is essential for a French inspired itinerary. Monsieur Marcel is a fantastic location for people watching, especially if you sit at the bar facing the rest of the Farmer’s Market.
After you are finished enjoying whatever you chose to eat and drink, head over to Monsieur Marcel’s market where you can find all kinds of French treats like cheese, wine, tea, spices, and more. We especially love the cheese counter and pretended we were at a fromagerie in Paris. We explained our tastes and preferences to the nice lady behind the counter and she gave us several samples to try. We ended up leaving with 4 slabs of cheese and a container of garlic green olives. Pick up some cheese, olives, wine, and anything else that catches your eye for your picnic. Just hold off on purchasing bread or desserts, as we will be stopping for those later. Monsieur Marcel’s will provide a complimentary ice pack to keep your cheese cool if if you ask.
Second Stop: Michelina Artisan Boulanger
Stop here to pick up a fresh baguette for your picnic. It has often been said that the best baguettes and croissants in LA come from Michelina! If you and your picnic partners are extra hungry, you can also pick up great sandwiches, salads, and tartines here.
Third Stop: The French Crepe Company
Take a break from shopping for a bit to sit and eat an authentic French crepe here. Whether you choose to go savory or sweet, they are are all so light and delicious.
Fourth Stop: Laduree
Venture out of the Farmer’s Market and into the main part of the Grove. At the other end you’ll find Laduree, a french bakery that imports their macarons from the Paris location. Grab a few macarons or any other sweet treats that catch your eye.
Fifth stop: Picnic time!
You’ve gathered all your essentials at this point, now it’s time to enjoy it! Walk across the street to Pan Pacific Park 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 and spend the rest of the day enjoying your picnic! Didn’t bring supplies from home? No problem, here are a few logistical ideas:
- Blanket: Ask any of the shops at The Grove for extra bags. Sit on those bags in place of a blanket
- Utensils: Ask any of the shops you purchased food from for plates, napkins, and cups
- Corkscrew: Ask the market you purchased the wine(s) from to open it before you leave
Itinerary 2: Farmer’s Market + French Cooking Class
Location: Calabasas {or recreated anywhere!}
When we spent a week in Provence last fall, one of our favorite things to do was visit the local farmer’s markets and come “home” to create fabulous four course meals. While this is easy to recreate at ANY farmer’s market in your area, we particularly like visiting the Saturday farmer’s market in Calabasas. They have a great selection, including French bread, but best of all, next door is an amazing French store, named French. The store has different sections that each represent a part of a French home. For example, a living room with everything you need to create a gorgeous French living room. A big kitchen, with all kinds of fun finds from France like baguettes, tea, jam, and more! We love stopped by this store after the farmer’s market and pretending we are back in France. I’ve picked up quite a few fun little treats to stock my own epicurie {pantry} and add a little French touch.
French also offers various cooking classes throughout the month. Visit their website or call them to reserve a spot: (818) 223-9600. About once a month one of the cooking classes takes you shopping at the farmer’s market then back to the store to create a meal with your seasonal finds. We think attending that specific class would be the perfect French inspired day!
Tip: If you don’t live in LA or can’t make it to the class, this is an easy itinerary to DIY anywhere! Just visit your local farmer’s market, buy something new or whatever your farmers suggest, and look up recipe inspo online!
Itinerary 3: French Luxury Shopping and French Wining & Dining
Location: Beverly Hills
Head on over to LA’s version of Rue Saint Honore {Rodeo Drive} and spend an afternoon shopping or maybe more realistically, window shopping. French women are very big on window shopping even if they aren’t planning on buying anything. They believe that it helps one develop their sense of style, stay up to date on current fashion, and learn to identify quality materials. There are many French luxury brands on {and around} Rodeo Drive to help you pretend you are shopping on Rue Saint Honore and channel your inner French fashionista:
- Celine
- Chanel
- Saint Laurent
- Sandro
- ba&sh
- Maison Gouyard
- Hermes
- Louis Vuitton
- Celine
- Christofle
- Dior
- Moncler
Whether you are a big shopper or not, don’t skip the second part of this itinerary: the French wining and dining! We recently had a wonderful French 3 course dinner at Heritage Fine Wines {around the corner from all the stores listed above}. The wine bar is owned and managed by French expats. The manager’s father owns a vineyard in France and many of the wines are served here. It’s such a cozy atmosphere with a wonderful French vibe, great food, and amazing wines. They often host different events such the three course dinner we attended for Bastille Day, summer rooftop parties, $1 oyster Thursdays, wine tasting events, and more. Whether there’s an event or not, Heritage is well worth checking out. The vibe is very laid back and prices are shockingly reasonable {two surprising things for this area!} We felt transported to France during our dinner and can’t wait to go back!
Itinerary 4: Cafe break in Downtown LA
Location: Downtown LA
What kind of French inspired post would this be if it didn’t include a French cafe? Before we venture to the adorable French cafe we’ll be spending the day at for this itinerary, first let’s stop at The Last Bookstore. No, the bookstore isn’t a French place, but here is why it is French inspired. The French value culture and knowledge above all else. Rather than flashing around their job titles and how much money they make, they flash around how well read they are. It is considered to be a severe character flaw not to be cultured, well read, and full of interesting ideas to add to a conversation. Spend some time getting lost in the labyrinth of books at The Last Bookstore and pick out a book to take to the cafe. You’re sure to find something new and interesting to read here. It’s also just an amazing experience. The bookstore was opened in 2005, right when all other bookstores was closing. The owner took a long dead bank on a grimy street in Downtown Los Angeles and turned it in a mecca for book lovers.
Book in hand, walk over to Pitchoun! French Bakery and Cafe 545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Make sure to get there relatively early as the cafe closes at 5pm Monday – Saturday and 4pm on Sundays. Plan to spend hours lingering over lunch, a coffee, perhaps a dessert, and eventually a glass of wine. Read your book if you’re alone. Engage in lively conversation if you’re with someone. People watch without any shame. Don’t you almost feel like you’re in Paris?
We hope you enjoyed these ideas and they helped bring a bit of French charm to your life in Los Angeles! We’d love to hear any other ideas you have, as we are constantly missing France!
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Who knew there were so many beautiful French places in LA?! I’m particularly intrigued by the store, “French.” Love me some jam and baguette. 🙂
Right? I was also surprised! There are actually many more, but I just wanted to put together 4 itineraries. Maybe I’ll do another post with a whole list of places!
Aw this is such a cute idea! I’m so sorry you missed your flight, but I’m happy this post was written as a result :).
Ah I wish I thought to write this post AND wish we didn’t miss our flight, haha. Glad you liked it! 🙂
This is such a cute idea! Never realized you can find a little bit of France all over LA. Now I’m craving a macaron!
There are actually soooo many French places in LA! I’m thinking of doing a post listing them all!