Ever since my boyfriend and I met, we’ve always enjoyed giving each other surprises and experiences rather than material gifts.
To surprise him, to see his eyes filled with wonder at a new activity or at the reading of a web, is always a joy and “kindling” put on the fire of our love.
Gestures of love and time together are very important. Above all, never think that everything is taken for granted and that your relationship “doesn’t need this”. They don’t! How many stories or regrets have I heard from friends “if I’d done this or that…”? But often, it’s too late. A tender gesture, an “I love you” whispered in the ear, little post-it notes hidden around the house or in the other person’s suitcase when they leave on a business trip… These little tokens of love that we know how to do at the beginning of a love story fade after a while, when everyday life, routine or children arrive in the home… to no avail. Keeping the flame alive over time is essential to avoid the end of feelings or even separation.
A love relationship is like a garden. It needs attention, otherwise it will go to pot. If you don’t, the other person may be tempted to let themselves be seduced by people outside the couple, who will pay more attention to them.
A “bubble” for two
As we all know, our days always go by too fast. The metro, work, sleep, plus the kids if you have any, can take up a lot of your energy. All it takes is a few extra grains of sand to stop you thinking about the other person and figure out how to show your affection and take a moment for the two of you.
That’s why it’s so important to schedule time away from the daily grind and refocus on life as a couple. You need time to talk, to communicate, to remember how much you love each other and why it’s good to be together. Ideally, at least some time should be set aside at each change of season.
So I thought I’d share with you two amorous escapades I gave my Amore that touched him particularly deeply. I had already had the opportunity to write about a 5-star gift he had given me, in Bordeaux.
Of course, these gifts are exceptional and should be offered for special occasions (40, 50 years… wedding years etc…). If your budget doesn’t allow it, it can be much simpler: a surprise we with the tent in the trunk and a night at a campsite by the sea with a lovely view.
These simple moments can also be as simple as offering to change your partner’s routine and surprise him or her by meeting you at work one evening for a drink in a bar or a bite to eat in a restaurant. It can also mean sending sweet nothings, and, like lovers, suggesting that he meet you in a hotel room (having packed a small suitcase for the next day). A change of scenery guaranteed 😉
3-star weekend between La Rochelle and Ile de Ré
It’s never easy to find an original idea for a husband who already has everything and, above all, never gives gift ideas. As I know he’s never had the opportunity to try out Michelin-starred restaurants, and was keen to try out a three-star restaurant “before he died”, I looked for Michelin-starred restaurants offering something more to do with fish, which he’s particularly fond of. Luckily, I found Christopher Coutanceau‘s restaurant, based in La Rochelle, not so far from where we live (Nantes).
So I decided to suggest a weekend between La Rochelle and the Ile de Ré.
We kicked off Friday with a bucolic stroll through downtown La Rochelle, wandering through the narrow streets and under the arches, before heading off to the restaurant in the evening.
From the moment you arrive, you’re totally immersed. The décor plunges us into the fascinating world of the seabed of the chef and his partner Nicolas Brossard.
Both imagined a theme inspired by the sea, which they are deeply passionate about. The décor features sandy walls, a marine ceiling, an abyss blue carpet and over 800 plant pendants that oscillate like the intensity of depths ranging from white to yellow.
The tableware, too, evokes aquatic elements, with teardrop-shaped plates and knives reminiscent of those used by fishermen. Everything has been thought through to the last detail and made to measure. An art of the table that reflects the chef’s marine creations.
Like a perfectly timed ballet, we were amazed from appetizer to dessert. With each course, it was a joy to see the pleasure in my beloved’s eyes.
After that, we spent the night in a small hotel on the Ile de Ré, at Rivedoux plage, to enjoy the weekend. I made sure to book a package that included a romantic decor for our arrival, an aperitif and 45 minutes’ private access to the sauna and jacuzzi 🙂
Another surprise that delighted him.
The next day, after a jog along the beach, we rented a tandem bike to ride around the island. We also packed a picnic lunch, complete with oyster knife etc…
First stop in front of the work les mots d’amour, then on to the little village of La Flotte for a market.
On the menu: oysters and lemon, good bread, tapenade and some fruit. Simple but effective 🙂
In the afternoon, we visited St Martin en Ré before returning to the hotel to enjoy our spa moment.
The next day, after a hearty breakfast, we once again sought out a market to buy some picnic food before heading off to the whale lighthouse.
Luckily, the weather was ideal, with lots of sunshine.
A bubble of love in the Périgord
Another idea, this time for a Christmas present. As this was the last Christmas before our round-the-world trip, and we knew that the next one would be less festive because we’d be on the other side of the world, I once again chose a little bubble of love. After a lot of searching, I found the perfect little cocoon for the two of us, and especially for this water fan. I found an unusual cabin in the Périgord, a region we had already discovered a few years ago, but not in its entirety, as the Périgord has many rich and varied landscapes. Its 4 colors are a fine example: purple, black, white and green.
We set off on the Friday, arriving in the evening at a bed and breakfast: La ferme aux fleurs, a small gîte pleasantly run by Virginie and Renaud. Located close to the forest, our hosts have a very welcoming house and offer a table d’hôte dinner in the evening.
We didn’t try it, as we’d booked a nearby restaurant in Ste Foy, but the aperitif made our mouths water. It was included in the package we had with the Smartbox offer I had been given. The glass of wine Renaud offered us to taste, a small white wine produced in the region in small quantities by a producer friend “Rosette”, was accompanied by an aperitif board made by Virginie. Brick with leek and black pudding, mushroom stuffed with chorizo and prune stuffed with walnuts. Virginie takes great pleasure in cooking. She has a BTS in hotel and restaurant management, and takes pleasure in showcasing the produce from her garden: fruit, vegetables and flowers that Renaud takes care of for you!
The next day, we set off for Périgueux. In the late morning, we took in the smells of the market near the cathedral.
We had lunch at the Véloc café, a small restaurant run by the owner, who has chosen to retrain as a chef. Every morning, he buys the freshest produce he can find and uses it all to cook two dishes, just like at Grandma’s!
After this tasty moment, we continued our discovery of the town, which is not lacking in charm and character, with its narrow streets and facades, to arrive at the beautiful boutique: Maison Birds, created by one of my favorite influencers: Natacha Birds and her darling Noar Noar.
I knew that they had opened their “art house” in this town, and I must admit that when I was researching for this unusual we, I looked to see if there were any cabins with hot tubs nearby. That’s when I came across the Mandrelie cabin.
It was an opportunity to take a gourmet break and sample their teas and homemade pastries such as cookies and chocolate moelleux. I was also able to make some small purchases made in France, as Natacha takes care to unearth talented young designers who make, for example, highly original handmade candles, or a designer who offers clothes and accessories created from recycled fabrics. Of course, it’s impossible to leave without picking up one of Natacha’s own sculptures, which I find very poetic.
After this walk, and before heading back to our cabin, we stopped off at St Georges de Montclard, just ten minutes from La Mandrélie. The location is particularly beautiful and lends itself well to an impromptu photo shoot, as we like to do on our travels.
On arrival at Franck and Aurélie’s 47-hectare estate, we were first amazed by the owners’ home. With a broad smile and incredible kindness, Aurélie offered to take us to our cabin, situated below on a pond with only the animals of the forest for neighbors!
I can still see my Amore’s surprise and bewildered (but childlike!) face. He had absolutely no idea where we were going or what I had in store for him, and it took him a good half-hour before he realized that we were going to spend the night and the morning in such a beautiful place. When the door opened, I was delighted to see his eyes glaze over at the table set for a gourmet dinner, the 180cm bed facing the bay window overlooking the terrace with its sauna and Nordic bath.
It has to be said that Franck and Aurélie have thought of everything, down to the smallest detail, to make us feel alone in the world. They are truly adorable hosts, welcoming us on arrival and departure, then keeping a low profile during our stay, but always attentive to our every request. The place is more than worth a room in a palace. As for the setting, I’ve rarely seen anything so beautiful.
From arrival to departure, we were self-sufficient, enjoying the cabin to the full. In the early morning, before the breakfast basket arrived, we went into the woods, hoping to spot some animals. What a joy to be able to smell the pastries after a jog.
We really felt like we’d had a real break, even though we’d only been away for 2 1/2 days.
On the way back, we made a short stopover in the pretty town of Brantôme.
I hope these two escapades will inspire you to plan them and offer them to your other half.
If you have any further questions about these weekends, or if you’d like any other gift ideas for your partner, please don’t hesitate to ask! I’d be delighted to give you some ideas 🙂
I wish you much happiness and love!
