AN EXCLUSIVE CITY GUIDE FOR YOU, the FERMOBPEOPLE

Summer is coming… And this is the year to seize the opportunity to visit our beautiful country! Our catalogue shoot in Cap Ferret piqued our curiosity for the Atlantic coast. So we interviewed some fans from over there. Quentin, Karine and Hélène are all very active on Instagram, and they tell you about their favourites on the Basque coast, around the Bay of Arcachon and in Brittany. Get on board!

Arcachon City Guide by Karine de Bodie & Fou

Karine, a stylist, decorator and portraitist, who is behind the Instagram Bodie & Fou account (named after her former decorating shop), has gone to live in Arcachon Bay after spending over 15 years in London. She thought she could never leave the city, but would never go back for anything in the world (she feels so good in the region)! She has shared with us her favourites in the “Bassin” (as the locals call the Bay).

Her ideas on how to spend your days
Arcachon Bay is: mile after mile of white sand, a magnificent forest of thousand-year-old pines, and a highly preserved environment, because the laws on the coast are very strict. Surfing, swimming and cycling on the menu!

What’s the best spot to gaze at the sunset over the Bay and the Dune du Pilat?
Definitely the terrace of La Co(o)rniche, a 5-star hotel redecorated by Starck. Get there early for a before-dinner drink with tapas, as it’s a very popular spot!

THE beach for surfing?
La Salie Nord, on the road to Biscarrosse, which is really worth the effort: you have to walk about ten minutes over duckboards to get there. You’re sure to get fine waves! To end the day on a high note, enjoy a dinner in the woods, at La Salie Sud (see the section “for your taste buds”).

What about beaches for families?
Le Petit Nice and La Lagune

Addresses for treating yourself (and others!)

For surfing equipment?
The SEN NO SEN shop in Le Moulleau: this small independent surfing brand manufactures wetsuits made of Yulex natural rubber, a high-performance and environmentally friendly material. Book a surfing session just next door with a teacher in the best surf club in the Bay OCEAN ROOTS

For furniture and pretty objects?
The Zig & Puces shop (which sells Fermob), also in Le Moulleau.

And for a perfect Sunday?
Browse through the markets of the region, including the Le Moulleau organic market and the Teste-de-Buch market, where you’ll find both fresh local produce from sustainable agriculture and fashion stands. Also check out the open-air jumble sales.

For your taste buds

Traditional food?
The oyster farmer’s huts where you can eat oysters, whelks and shrimps, washed down with white wine.

To get in the mood?
At Pyla, the Club Paradiso: a fun tapas bar

To eat out?
Restaurant Le jardin: delicious cuisine, served on the terrace.

In summer only…
The pop-up restaurant Club Pereire, designed by Bartherotte, who built the house in the film “Little White Lies”. An ideal spot to admire the sunset!

And after a day on the beach?
La Salie Sud: hidden away in the woods, a prettily decorated restaurant.

For a family outing?
Head for Chez Juliette, on the Laouga beach on the Lac de Cazaux. The waters are really clear, and you can chill out while the children play in the sand. Very nice, warm welcome, with tapas and poke bowls on the menu.

Places to stay?

Decorative atmosphere at home
La Casa Pyla, a creative residence that Karine makes available to brands for shooting sessions and where she gives workshops on her favourite subjects: styling, decoration, photography and well-being.

Interior design
The HOME hotel in Arcachon which is not far from the beach.

In the centre of Arcachon
Hôtel de la Ville d’Hiver located in one of the most beautiful districts and a 10 minute walk from the town centre. A charming hotel that reflects the spirit of the Bay and has a superb swimming pool.

Whatever you do, don’t miss…
The Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe. Early in the morning or at the end of the day, to see it at its best. Magic!

Take the boat early in the morning for a day at Cap-Ferret. When you get there, hire a bike and ride around the Bay via the many cycle paths that link Arcachon, Cazaux and La Teste.

Stroll through the winter district of Arcachon: architecture to feast your eyes on.

The typical huts on stilts erected by the oyster farmers in the Bay.

The charming ports of Teste-de-Buch and Biganos

And the superb city of Bordeaux, only 45 minutes away by car!

A tip: Enjoy the Bay without the crowds during the delicious Indian summer…

AN EXCLUSIVE CITY GUIDE FOR YOU, the FERMOBPEOPLE

Summer is coming… And this is the year to seize the opportunity to visit our beautiful country! Our catalogue shoot in Cap Ferret piqued our curiosity for the Atlantic coast. So we interviewed some fans from over there. Quentin, Karine and Hélène are all very active on Instagram, and they tell you about their favourites on the Basque coast, around the Bay of Arcachon and in Brittany. Get on board!

DISCOVERING THE LOIRE AREA WITH HELENE FROM PETITVILLAGE

Hélène is a mother of three. On her Instagram account, @Petitvillage, she tells us about her “simple” family life. She has only one word on her lips: authenticity. It’s the right word for Le Pouliguen, where she goes on holiday every summer, “a family resort, with an incomparable gentle way of life” “When we’re at Le Pouliguen it’s walking + cycling + beach! And then we have our rituals,” she says.

The thing we love to do as a family: going to Café Ploom, for brunches, meals or gourmet snacks. Vegetarian food, all home-made, and we can bring our dog with us onto the terrace, which is important!

For a little culture: the Café Lecture Gourmande, open even out of season. Children can eat doughnuts while they read or play board games.

The most Instagrammable spot: the Carrousel, on the Old Port, THE place to take great pictures! And keep the youngsters busy

By the sea… We like to walk on the promenade along the coast and we love the little creeks. Our favourite beach is the Plage du Rau, where the families turn up. If you like surfing, the Plage de la Gauvelle is the place to go!

Our thing … Setting out early in the morning to walk our dog in La Baule on the long sandy beach. We keep away from the crowds and admire the Hôtel de l’Hermitage in the light of the rising sun.

For local, fresh produce: the Marché du Pouliguen

To fall for pretty decorative objects: Dunes, a pop-up shop of designers from Nantes, including Mimi Cerise

Exploring the region:

Guérande, with its salt marshes, ramparts and small designer shops
Saint-Nazaire and its liners
Le Croizic, a very pretty little town with an aquarium
La Turbale

And all the little seaside towns

Any final thoughts? You must try “niniches”, the lollipops of the region!

Off to a special destination, still very wild and very authentic! Just like Hélène! Are you tempted?

AN EXCLUSIVE CITY GUIDE FOR YOU, the FERMOBPEOPLE

Summer is coming… And this is the year to seize the opportunity to visit our beautiful country! Our catalogue shoot in Cap Ferret piqued our curiosity for the Atlantic coast. So we interviewed some fans from over there. Quentin, Karine and Hélène are all very active on Instagram, and they tell you about their favourites on the Basque coast, around the Bay of Arcachon and in Brittany. Get on board!

DISCOVERING THE BASQUE COAST WITH QUENTIN

Quentin Lafon, a travel blogger (ursofrench.fr) and Instagrammer with 33,000 followers is not from the Basque coast but he loves this region. He let us in on his tips, just for you…

His ideas on how to spend your days

THE place to learn how to surf? No hesitation: Gliss Experience Surf in Anglet!

The best spot for a swim? Hendaye, the seaside resort par excellence with its beautiful beach, soft sand, incredible panorama and the charm of its small beach huts.

Where to gaze at the ocean? In Biarritz and the beach of the Côte des Basques, because the sunsets there are magnificent.

Fancy a bit of culture? The pepper museum in Espelette is very interesting and fun. You’ll become an expert on this coveted pepper!

And what is there for surfing fans? Don’t miss the surfers’ Hollywood Boulevard in Anglet, a must-see in the Mecca of French surfing!

Don’t forget your taste buds

Head for the Halles market in Biarritz, the epicentre for the locals.

Drink a toast to the sunset at Etxola Bibi, a small spot overlooking the beach of the Basque Coast. Order a local beer!

Enjoy delicious seafood with your feet in the sand at the Blue Cargo, and go dancing there at night when it turns into a beach club. What to order? A semi-cooked tuna or hake steak + a mojito.

Enjoy tapas at Renault, a pop-up bar in the town centre.

Order baby squid and a glass of South American wine (Chilean or Argentinean) at the Bar Jean, a local institution renowned for its quality Basque cuisine and its terrace.

Enjoya Basque cake and a hand-whipped hot chocolate at Cazenave in Bayonne. And take a look at their beautiful shop front…

Where can you stay?

At La Réserve in Saint-Jean-de-Luz: a haven of peace on the heights of the town! You won’t forget its superb outdoor swimming pool, with a plunging view of the ocean.

And don’t miss (to take home or just to look at):

Hand-made espadrilles from Boutique 64 in Biarritz, to extend your summer holidays back home

And you must see the Rocher de la Vierge with its sublime viewpoint in the middle of the ocean.

With its colourful metallic furniture, Fermob, an expert in joie de vivre in the garden, ushered in a new era when the brand launched its very first portable lamp on the outdoor market in 2015! Ah, the Balad! This new lamp already boasts an action-packed history; now, it’s time for a new chapter in the hands of Koralie, a talented visual artist! Read the story of a successful collaboration which will inevitably lead to more… Fermob’s talented community: take note! 

The Balad lamp: a stunning portable lamp

This small but revolutionary lamp caused quite a stir when it was launched. That’s not surprising! As the first portable lamp in Fermob’s history, it was designed to live outside and to go with you, wherever you are! Featuring innovative technology which creates whatever lighting you’re looking for (warm or cold, 100% or 50% for a softer, more subdued effect) and a curved design, it very quickly became a must-have, leading to the creation of a wide-ranging collection. How many family meals has it lit up on long summer evenings? How many picnics at the beach has it witnessed? How many secrets has it overhead in country meadows?

Fermob and art: an intense love story

Fermob has always loved working with creators who share the brand’s DNA. This year, the brand invited the artist Koralie to be part of a unique collaboration: combining the Balad’s design, created by the designer Tristan Lohner, with Koralie’s artistic world. When the brand contacted her, this artist was flattered. “We share the same values and the same mindset. Authenticity + French creation + the world of design = plenty of similarities between Fermob and me: a perfect match! ”

The Balad is an inspiring piece because it provides a vast area for expression with its sleek, simple design. Ideas for “adorning” the Balad lamp came almost naturally to me. I really liked its nomadic indoor/outdoor feel, the way it can be put down or hung and its timelessness.

Carte blanche for Koralie

As a brand which believes in nurturing talent, Fermob gave Koralie free rein when it came to creating 2 versions of the H25 Balad lamp. The artist explored two very different options: a colourful version, inspired by plants, and an Art Déco model with graphic monochrome patterns. A single step in the creation process: a moodboard to present Fermob with a few shapes, inspired by Koralie’s unique visual language.

 

An irresistible limited edition!

Our community was invited to choose between the two versions. Our Fermobpeople voted: they preferred the plant-inspired “Balad Vegetal” which resulted in a limited edition featuring a silkscreen print. “An incredible fan of phyllotaxis*”, Koralie decorated it with patterns inspired by the perfection of nature. The incredible sophistication of the plant order fascinates her: “I spend more time admiring Romanesco broccoli or a pineapple than I do cooking them!” she says.

I like the idea of the Balad’s different lighting settings; my favourite is the setting which recreates the temperature and the intensity of candlelight.

Well, this summer, the “Balad Vegetal” will create an intimate atmosphere (although that’s not all) on warm evenings for the happy few who snap up this limited edition. This lamp pays tribute to nature: we hope it has a bright future and that it’ll be copied over and over again. Thank you Koralie!

Portrait of a unique urban artist

From her beginnings in street art, as one of the only French women to create graffiti, to her move to the Basque coast to be closer to nature, Koralie’s career has also taken her to Paris and New York. The long periods she spent there inspired the shapes of her unique pictorial language: ethnic-inspired patterns from different countries (Koralie says she is a real fan of folklore and handicrafts), architectural elements (from her studies in this area) and animist rituals, both traditional and contemporary. She compiles all these elements into astonishing kaleidoscopic roses and multicultural palm trees.

Her style is also unique, because she mixes up the media and the materials she uses: paintings on canvas or murals (sometimes using stencils), wood sculptures and weaving, vector art, installations, videos and more. Her artwork is exceptionally elegant!

Discover Koralie on : koralie.com

 

Fermob’s Album shoot team headed to the west coast of France to meet a family of Ocean Lovers and members of the #FermobPeople community. Here, we catch up with one of the girls, Amy – a keen surfer and wine expert who’s always ready to share some of her unusual pairing tips.

Tell us about the shoot…

It took place at our home in Cap Ferret. We’ve been coming to the peninsula for over 30 years. It was great fun! My mum’s an interior designer, so we really enjoyed talking about design and decoration with the team. We also like our food and drink, so I think we were very generous hosts!  The shoot itself felt really spontaneous and natural. I’ve done shoots on my own for other brands, but this time around we applied as a family – me, my sister and my mum. I have fond memories of the shoot.

How did you end up working as a wine expert?

As part of my master’s degree at INSEEC School of Communication, I did an internship on a wine estate. The experience really opened by eyes. I decided that was my calling – not surprising when you consider that my maternal grandparents have a home Bédoin, in the foothills of Mount Ventoux, nestled among the vines. Then I took a course at the Le Cordon Bleu school, set up Franck Ramoche, former head sommelier at Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. There were 19 of us on the course – people of all ages and from all walks of life. There was a cosmopolitan feel to it, with instructors from around the world. It was a whirlwind year – an invigorating and exciting experience to say the least! I spent time falling in love with France again, travelling the length and breadth of the country to learn about the history and features of different soils and regions. Then I took an internship at Pierre Gagnaire restaurant.

What took you to La Dame de Pic?

The course at Le Cordon Bleu was life-changing. It was the best thing that’s ever happened to me! My class supervisor was world-famous Argentinian sommelier Paz Levinson. At the graduation ceremony, she offered me a job as an assistant sommelier at La Dame de Pic, Anne-Sophie Pic’s Parisian restaurant. Working for the world’s most decorated chef is a real honour. I couldn’t have been happier. And I’m still just as happy today…

Can you recommend any food-and-wine pairings that are easy to enjoy at home?

There aren’t any special rules. It’s about savouring the experience. Let’s say you’re having Chinese food. Go to your local wine merchant and pick up a bottle of Loire or Sauternes – sweet and refreshing wines that will really compliment your food. A crisp, slightly chilled red will make the perfect partner for fish, since it’s delicate in the mouth. If you’ve got more to spend, go for the complexity of Champagne. It adds sparkle to any meal, and it goes great with any dish.