A French Working Holiday to Remember
Last year’s trip to France left us so inspired that we knew we had to do it again – but this time, we decided to make it a proper working holiday. There’s something about changing your environment, soaking up a different culture, and working somewhere that makes you feel alive in a whole new way.
France has always been a source of inspiration for us – the slower pace, the beautiful light, and of course, the wine! It also gave us the chance to catch up with our client, Merlot et Moi, in St Emilion. Seeing Kim’s brand go from strength to strength was a highlight, and we even got to do a mini wine tour at a local vineyard – absolute heaven for two self-confessed wine lovers like us.
Of course, in true “best laid plans” style, the trip didn’t start as smoothly as we’d hoped. We had flights booked to Bergerac airport, only to receive an email the day before telling us French air traffic control was on strike – and our flight was cancelled. But if you know us, you’ll know we’re not ones to sit around sulking. Chloe grabbed the keys to her Land Rover Discovery, and before we knew it, we were on the ultimate road trip: Nottingham to Le Shuttle, then all the way down to the French countryside, just outside St Emilion.
It actually turned out to be the best decision. We set off at 4:30am, which meant the roads were beautifully quiet – even near London and the south coast, which can be a nightmare. Chloe was an absolute pro at driving on the other side of the road (though it still took a bit of getting used to at first!). The hours flew by with country music playing almost the entire way, and it felt like a road trip we’ll always remember. The bonus of driving? Plenty of room to bring wine back with us!
We stayed in a gorgeous French mill that felt like it had been plucked straight from a postcard. Think rustic beams, shuttered windows, and the kind of light that makes you want to photograph everything. Mornings by the pool (perfect for photographing our new branded towels), afternoons working from sun-drenched terraces, and evenings planning new projects over a glass of Bordeaux – it was the perfect mix of business and pleasure.
Work-wise, we both made a start on our new project for Gresham Reed, a US golf brand. It was so nice to be working side by side on the same project, especially as we usually live two hours apart and don’t get that chance often. Even with laptops out and calls scheduled, we made sure to carve out pool time, especially on the days when the weather soared to 36 degrees!
One of our favourite days was spent in Bordeaux, wandering its stunning streets, admiring the architecture, fuelling up on strong coffee, and sampling one or two (okay, maybe three) macarons. Another highlight was spending time in St Emilion with Kim from Merlot et Moi. Seeing how much her brand has grown was such a proud moment – she’s completely in her element, talking through the different wines and sharing her passion for the region. Ceri, being a huge red wine fan, happily soaked it all in, while Chloe enjoyed sampling the rosé.
We also got to photograph Kim’s new venture, La Terrasse du Château Rozier – a gorgeous courtyard practically made for wine tasting, with views over St Emilion that you couldn’t dream up if you tried. Naturally, we couldn’t resist joining in with a glass and some nibbles (all in the name of research, of course!).
The trip wouldn’t have been complete without a picnic near the Chanel vineyard. Golden hour, fields of sunflowers, endless vines – it was one of those moments where you just stop and think, “this is exactly why we do what we do.” And, unlike last year, we didn’t get eaten alive by mosquitos – a definite win.
Running your own business isn’t easy, but trips like this remind us why we do it the way we do. From the beginning, we promised ourselves that our business would work around our lives and passions, not the other way around. We work incredibly hard, but we also make space for joy, travel, and connection. We love showing other women that it is possible to have both – the business you’ve built and the life you’ve always wanted.
Travel and wine are two things we’re deeply passionate about, and weaving them into our work feels like the biggest privilege. We came back feeling refreshed, inspired, and full of ideas – and yes, we managed to make it home in record time: door to door in exactly 11 hours, with just enough time for a quick snack stop and a dash to the loo before each tunnel crossing.
France, you’ve done it again – and we already can’t wait for the next trip.
