White fabric awning and curved white wall against a teal facade at La Vallee Village, with sharp dark shadows of nearby plant stems and leaves cast on the wall.

DESTINATION

Arty weekend

Take in the bucolic beauty of Barbizon – ‘the painters’ village’ – that captivated the likes of Jean-François Millet and Claude Monet, and finish with the thrill of the treasure hunt at La Vallée Village.

Day one

Stay: La Folie Barbizon
Sibling to Paris’ Hôtel des Académies et des Arts, La Folie Barbizon is part creative residence, part country-house hangout on the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, where each of the 21 bedrooms has been reimagined by an artist. A brilliantly bohemian hideout. La Folie Barbizon, 77630 Barbizon

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Morning stroll: Mosaic trails
Follow the first few mosaic markers through the village lanes to get a sense of the surroundings here that inspired generations of painters. Mosaic trails, Barbizon

Shadow of a streetlamp cast on a beige stone building in Pairs beside a multi-pane window with green draped curtains.

Art appreciation: Maison Atelier de Jean-François Millet
The painter’s former home-turned-museum is virtually unchanged since his death – letters, sketches and family photographs share the space with the naturalistic paintings of the Barbizon School. Maison Atelier de Jean-François Millet, 77630 Barbizon

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Caffeine fix: La Juxtaposition
This is the unofficial hub of the village, with its rotating art exhibitions, famed carrot cake, tree-shaded terrace and steady stream of locals catching up at the counter. La Juxtaposition, 77630 Barbizon

A historic inn that once hosted Monet, Renoir and Cézanne is now a cleverly updated contemporary restaurant.

Palace prowl: Château de Fontainebleau
The vast palace was continuously inhabited by French monarchs for more than 700 years. Its gilded salons and parquet floors chart royal life from Renaissance opulence to Napoleonic grandeur. Château de Fontainebleau, 77300 Fontainebleau

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Lunch: La Papote
A historic inn that once hosted Monet, Renoir and Cézanne is now a cleverly updated contemporary restaurant, filled with the smells of seasonal cooking and the sound of clinking cutlery. La Papote, 77780 Bourron-Marlotte

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Ornate beige stone facade in Paris with tall arched windows, decorative carved moldings and wrought-iron balconies angled toward blue sky

Culture stop: Château Rosa Bonheur
Step into the artist’s château-studio, where animal studies, worn brushes, used palettes, her hat, her boots, even her cigarette butts bring Rosa Bonheur’s world into sharp focus. Château Rosa Bonheur, 77810 Thomery

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River wander: Samois-sur-Seine
One of Seine-et-Marne’s prettiest villages, its cobbled streets and tree-lined riverbank play host to boats and barges that knock gently against their moorings. Samois-sur-Seine, 77920

Green scalloped market awnings beneath dense sunlit tree canopy in Paris, with a glimpse of a decorative rooftop spire in the background.

Spa session: La Folie Barbizon
Guided meditations, seriously restorative massages and tarot cards reset the pace after a day out. La Folie Barbizon, 77630 Barbizon

Drinks and dinner: Le Restaurant at La Folie Barbizon
A lively gathering place; step up to the bar for a few botanical-based cocktails before shifting to a table to wash down locavore plates with natural wines. Le Restaurant at La Folie Barbizon, 77630 Barbizon

Stacked rattan bistro chairs in with woven cane oval backs in Paris, warm brown tones and sunlight casting deep shadows and highlights.

Day two

Head to: La Vallée Village
Just 40 minutes east of the city, all the Paris fashion classics are here, alongside international big-hitting labels. Personal Shopping stylists-in-residence are on hand to help curate your perfect edit. La Vallée Village, 77700 Serris

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Refuel: Momus
Speciality single- origin pours for those that know their way around a third-wave coffee roaster. Pick up a bag of its sustainable whole bean or ground blends to take home. Momus, La Vallée Village

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Few houses capture cool-girl femininity quite like Chloé.

Shop: Isabel Marant
The unmistakable Isabel Marant signatures are on full display in the boutique – embroidered blouses, slouchy jackets and the boots that launched a thousand fashion editors’ wardrobes. Isabel Marant, La Vallée Village

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Shop: Jacquemus
Simon Porte Jacquemus’s South of France aesthetic is distilled into sculptural tailoring and sun-washed palettes. Look out for the occasional cult bag in miniature proportions. Jacquemus, La Vallée Village

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Two women seen from behind entering a boutique at La Vallee Village; one in a blue shirt with hair in a bun, the other in a pink dress with long wavy hair and a black ribbon.

Shop: Chloé
Few houses capture cool-girl femininity quite like Chloé. Floaty silk dresses, loosely structured coats and soft leather bags reflect the label’s longstanding boho spirit. Chloé, La Vallée Village

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Lunch: Ladurée
Pluck a pick-me-up from the jewel-box display of iconic macarons – lemon, orange blossom and classic pistachio shells – but don’t miss the lesser-known croque bites with Ladurée’s logo toasted on top. Ladurée, La Vallée Village

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Close-up of clustered pink roses with layered petals and buds

Shop: L’Occitane
Long before it became fashionable, L’Occitane was using organic farming methods for its botanical ingredients. Everything smells delicious, but the Almond shower oil has a particularly loyal following. L’Occitane, La Vallée Village

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Shop: Lancel
Classic luxe leather craftsmanship that’s keeping up with the times. The suitcases are an excellent staple, as are the canvas logo zip totes that tend to fly off the shelves. Lancel, La Vallée Village

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