This week, KDHamptons receives a fantastic NEW Travel Diary from two of my favorite French friends, Edward Bally and his gorgeous girlfriend Jennifer. Although both journalists by trade, Jenn just launched a new media production company on the west coast and in France, while Edward works as a cameraman, TV and corporate film producer, and director. Tag along their recent très chic vacation as Edward and Jen take KDHamptons readers from Paris, to Bordeaux, from the dramatic landscapes of Brittany to the charming hills of Provence. “This was one of our most exciting trips together, as it was meant to introduce each others friends and family for the first time. Exciting moments! We drove 5300 kilometers [3300 miles] around the country to meet with almost everybody we care for. We were also there to say goodbye to France [at least for a while], as we are about to settle for good in New York City,” shares Edward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“France is where our heart is, and for us, where the greatest food and wine is too. All you enjoy there taste like history, authenticity, brings back moments of true sharing and happiness. Especially when you miss French food as we sometimes do…..I still smell the sweet baguette and croissant from our favorite “boulangerie” as we write,” says Jennifer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons: Could you please share with our readers why is France so special to you?

Edward Bally: France is our home, and it’s somehow in our blood, deeply rooted in our identity. When you have been living in the US or abroad for a while, you tend to forget the wonderful richness of your birthplace. Coming back to visit friends this summer and spend time with our beloved ones really made us realize how beautiful and diverse our country is. Even in the accents people have when they speak. There’s truly nothing like an evening walk with your dog on an isolated beach before sunset, watching the fishermen coming back from their daily mission, and to cheer them on — in French!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though we both traveled a lot over the last decade and have lived in many countries around the world, we always come back to France for an extended vacation. We love the feeling of being where we will always belong, in a place where there is a real “culture of lifestyle”. From the fancy and exciting parties in Paris, to a romantic diner on the beach on the French Riviera, everything about our holiday in France is genuine, yet classy. A perfect combination in fact. Far from the image that some people may have from France through the news, our country is still and will always be a peaceful place of serenity and charm, where people love to live by the day, and enjoy small moments of happiness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons: Does anything about the South of France remind you of the Hamptons?

Edward: Some places in France actually do look like the Hamptons actually, and reminded me of my stay on the East End over the summer. The west, some parts of Brittany and the southwest really have some connection with the Hamptons. Around Bordeaux, the “Bassin d’Arcachon” and the Cap-Ferret for instance has the same laid-back, protected yet fancy vibe. It’s a place where people come from pretty high standards, yet don’t consider themselves too seriously, and where a lot of great food and entertainment is available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons: What was a typical day like on your French vacation?

Edward: On a typical day, we would go to a early morning rural market on the main square of a nearby village to get the best fish, lobsters and breads, then we would stop by a local farm stand on the way back home to get a “salad of the day” directly from the ground, and a bunch of garden veggies and when lucky, some home-made jam, cheese or “patés”. If not in the countryside, we would pick a cozy restaurant in the area or set up a big BBQ to enjoy mussels, ribs or grilled tuna with friends and family. We had quite a few great “apéritifs” moments around pools as it is kind of a ritual to enjoy green olives and a refreshing “pastis” or glass of rosé wine before your start the lunch. Afternoons were spent touring around or just relaxing in the sun. Except for the days we went sailing or canoeing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons: Where was your favorite meal? What did you order?

Edward: We absolutely loved the oysters in Cap-Ferret. Many fishermen live there, and they make a great yet simple living by growing and selling oysters. All of the fishermen have their own little restaurant on the shore where you can enjoy dozens of oysters with your feet literally in the sand for a ridiculous price! As an example, three dozens of oysters, an amazing white wine from a local winery (Pouilly fuissé, 2005, my personal favorite) and some whole wheat bread of course cost less than 50 dollars! That’s it. We like it simple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons: Please tell us what you love about the Hamptons?

Edward: The first time I came to the Hamptons, I came for work, and I have to say it didn’t feel like work at all. We visited Kelli Delaney and her husband Dr. Mark Kot and we had some great times together, as well as doing some great work for a documentary project I am filming. That’s what I love my work in general: mixing pleasure and quality work to get a fantastic result. I find that the Hamptons has a bit of a French vibe, which I loved — as well as its own personal style that you can’t find anywhere else in the United States. The mix of surf, great food, great locations to hang out, paired with luxury properties, boutique hotels, pristine gardens, and endless sandy beaches…..what else could we ask for?

 

 

 

Then we drove back up north, with a stop near Clermont-Ferrand, the birth place of France nearly 2000 years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons: How can our readers can see more of your work? and Jennifer’s?

Edward: You can see a sample of what I do on my personal website: www.edwardbally.com. You can also see what Jennifer has been doing for television on her personal website: www.jenniferluby.com. I am working for a company in New York called Paradoxal: www.paradoxal.net, but my French company’s website, currently about to be translated in English is called Gentlemen Productions: www.gentlemenproductions.com.