After enduring a blistering summer in Europe, David and I took advantage of some cooler days in early September for a much-needed getaway to explore the coastal regions of Brittany. We had previously discounted the area as a possible location for our future country house but after the heat of the last few years, the cool and rainy climate has become more appealing. Taking the train from Paris Montparnasse station to Rennes took only an hour and a half, and we picked up a rental car right at the station. Rennes is located in the Ille-et-Vilane department (similar to a county) and we headed northwest to the Paimpol area of the Côtes-d’Armor. I had worked out an itinerary that took us in a counterclockwise route around most of Brittany. The map will help you follow along on the beauty-packed, carb-laden journey!

HYDRANGEA FIELDS

Our first destination, and one I had been looking forward to greatly, featured the seaside hydrangea fields at Sainte-Barbe. These are commercial fields that are awash in blue and purple in July. I had planned to come at their peak but July brought successive heat waves, deterring travel, and also caused the flowers to wither prematurely to a deep burgundy. Nevertheless, and knowing that they would not be looking their best, I wanted to see them and plan next year’s visit. 

The dramatic location overlooking the sea was breathtaking. I have seen fabulous drone footage taken from above which is what drew me to the fields initially. Although  private property, respectful walking along the paths is acceptable.

ABBAYE DE BEAUPORT

Just a few minutes from the hydrangea fields is the Abbaye de Beauport, an atmospheric ruin at the sea’s edge. Images of it had captivated me and we greatly enjoyed exploring the roofless rooms, despite a sudden rain shower and unexpected crowds.

Again, the hydrangeas were past their peak but lent a faded elegance to the scene. A treat to come will be revisiting the location next summer when the blooms have newly opened.

A short drive brought us to the Manoir de Kergrec’h, our hotel for the night. Perched on a small headland, the restored chateau featured extensive, peaceful grounds for walking and savoring the welcome and invigorating sea breezes.

We dined at the nearby Café Pesked in Plouguiel, known for its ultra-fresh local seafood. Exceptional fish and chips, an excellent white wine and a view over the quaint harbor contributed to a very memorable evening.

Brittany is one of the ancient Celtic realms and the white croft-like houses are very reminiscent of those in both Scotland and Cornwall, themselves Celtic strongholds.

NANTOUAR

Following a blissfully quiet night and morning, punctuated only by soft wind and birdsong, we set upon a relaxing drive to Nantouar and its diminutive lighthouse perched on the shore. Brittany offers such charming scenes literally around each bend in the road.

FINISTÈRE

Leaving the western border of the Côte-d’Armor, we entered the department of Finistère, which means “end of the earth” or “edge of the earth”, from the Latin finis terrae. Our destinations were two spectacular beaches on the north shore.

PLAGE DU POULDU AT SANTEC

The Plage (beach) du Pouldu is an expanse of idyllic, sheltered shoreline, easily accessible and, on this day, nearly deserted. Bleached shells are plentiful and we collected pretty specimens as souvenirs.

PLAGE DES AMIETS

Near the top of my list was the exquisite Plage des Amiets, known for its soft, pristine white sands and jewel-toned waters. We were truly blessed to have a clear, warm day with a caressing breeze. Strolling nearly the entirety of the lengthy shore, splashing in and out of the sun-warmed shallows, collecting rocks and shells provided unforgettable hours of pure joy and exhilaration.

Not being focused on photography, I feel I didn’t adequately capture the stunning majesty of this enchanting beach, which quickly has become one of my all time favorites. But do an internet search for Plage des Amiets, and you’ll be rewarded with images of its magic, tranquility and turquoise waters.

With wistful reluctance, we left this sliver of heaven but will eagerly return.

THE CROZON PENINSULA

We’d rented a cottage in Lanvéoc on the Crozon Peninsula for the night so ventured south, skirting the industrial port of Brest. The Crozon Peninsula is known for rugged coastal hiking trails, stunning views and hidden villages. After a light supper of traditional Breton crèpes in the town of Crozon, we walked along the colorful harbor of Morgat and picked up coffee making supplies for the morning (the cottage had a lovely newly-renovated kitchen).

We wanted to see the sunset over the water but weren’t sure where on the peninsula would be the best spot. Thus ensued a rather mad dash around the western reaches and, hurrah, we found it in time!

On the drive there, through the town of Camaren-sur-Mer, we spotted a large field with many pre-historic megaliths, which are prevalent in Brittany.

THE MENHIRS DE LAGATJAR AT CAMAREN-SUR-MER 

In the morning, we left fairly early to revisit Camaren-sur-Mer and its narrow medieval streets. We drove through and then went up the hill behind it, back to the megalithic stone monuments, called menhirs. It was cloudy at first but then, voilá, we had super light against dark clouds. David photographed me standing between the stones but, for those readers of Outlander, don’t worry, I didn’t disappear through them to the past! These stones are estimated to be nearly 5,000 years old. Megalithic sites have always fascinated me and I have visited many stone circles in England, mainland Scotland and the Outer Hebrides.

DOUARNENEZ

The next stop was Douanenez, a big port with hundreds of beautiful boats that sparkled even in the overcast light. But we parked and stopped along the water for coffee and really excellent baguette. 

LOCRONON

We drove east to Locronan, one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and unexpectedly arrived during the annual brocante. We weren’t expecting the crowds, so after a walk through the delightful main square and a peek inside the church, we decided to return another time. While it was fun to see the visitors and doggies enjoying themselves, we prefer a quieter atmosphere when first discovering a location.

CONCARNEAU

We reached Concarneau, another good sized port town, just as it was threatening rain. We stopped at a waterside cafe “Le Cafe de l’Atlantic”, the rain held off and we  had another fabulous meal of fresh fish (David) and marinated seared ahi tuna (me), maybe the best I’ve ever had. And, of course, plenty of chips. Concarneau is definitely worth further exploration when we return.

AR MEN DU HÔTEL, NEVEZ

For our final night, we stayed at the cottage on the grounds of the Ar Men Du hotel, which is also a gastronomy destination with restaurant and its own extensive herb garden.The Plage de Tahiti, a small rock and sand beach, with direct access from the cottage. There, we gathered polished rocks in the growing twilight with no sound but the gentle waves.

We had planned another beach walk in the morning but opted to simply enjoy the air and light from our terrace before departure.

Stopping for coffee at Pont Aven, a cute historic town on a sea inlet, we found they had no croissants so suffered through an indulgent local tart for breakfast. 

DOËLAN

We then embarked toward our final destination, one that I greatly anticipated. Doëlan, a petit and quintessential Bretagne port on sea inlet close to the border of Finistère and Morbihan, is so picture perfect that it hardly seems real. We drove the single lane road and then did a mini hike through the tiny lanes, ending at the farthest of the two lighthouses.

 We then had a most delicious “catch of the day” luncheon at Le Rive Gauche restaurant. No matter where we were in Brittany, every culinary experience proved to be excellent.

Our outdoor table overlooked the small harbor with a view of the houses opposite. David eyed the cute stone cottage as his future writing getaway (it actually was once the home of a famous writer).

We had a leisurely drive back through Morbihan to the station at Rennes, stopping briefly at the fortress city of Josselin. By dinner time, we were back in Paris with our beautiful coastal interlude settling in to a dreamy memory.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tour around the magical land of Brittany.

With love,

G

(photos by Georgianna Lane and David Phillips)

Bonjour, mes amis! Today I’m delighted to announce the launch of my 14th book – Beautiful Blooms! So many of you have preordered the book and have greatly contributed to making it a very successful release already. I am endlessly grateful to each of you! Copies are already arriving in people’s hands and I’m thrilled and humbled by the feedback. (And if you didn’t preorder but do plan to purchase this week, my team and I will still honor that purchase so that you can receive the preorder gifts.)

Recently we did a celebratory shoot with the new book and launch graphics here in our Paris apartment.

And here is a sneak peek of some prototype notecards featuring images from the book. The samples look gorgeous – now it’s a matter of getting them produced and distributed with affordable shipping.

With much gratitude to my publishers and editors at Pavilion/Harper Collins UK and Gibbs Smith, who approached me about creating this work. My intention is for it to provide you a peaceful haven of floral beauty that you can visit again and again.

If you’ve received your copy, I’d love to hear what you think!

With much love,

G

x

Five years ago this month, we took possession of our beautiful apartment in Paris. The city was still in lockdown, no stores or cafes or restaurants were open, Brexit had just gone into effect (this was relevant due to David’s British citizenship and our French residency) and we had very minimal furniture or possessions as our container shipment would not arrive for six months. And we still had to return to the Pacific Northwest in the summer to put our much-loved US house on the market and sell it.

But none of these challenges reduced the joy we felt at finally arriving in Paris. Our 5-year visas were in hand and we had a gorgeous place in our ideal neighborhood to call home.

Living here has been a dream come true and a promise fulfilled. I can honestly say that, for me, in a lifetime of many grand adventures, being a full time Parisienne has been the grandest of all.

We are often told “you are so lucky”, and we certainly know we are lucky and extremely grateful everyday. And of course, one makes their own luck. Our move here was the culmination of years of persistence, overcoming obstacles and working steadily to achieve our vision. When I tell you that we moved here in the middle of the pandemic and Brexit, you will get an idea of our determination.

At the time, it seemed a crazy idea. We owned a charming vintage home with a breathtaking garden that was a true sanctuary with wildlife, birds, giant evergreens and the hundreds of plants we had put in over the years. To pull up established roots in the middle of a global crisis, with the deadline of Brexit affecting our French visa applications, seemed more than foolish.

And yet, we knew that if we didn’t do it then, it would be put off for more years and then likely never happen. And it was hard. Selling our home (we made sure the new people loved it as much as we did), leaving family and comfortable routines and knowing the challenges ahead in settling in a foreign country were daunting. But we forged ahead and didn’t look back. At least not much.

So, bit by bit, I started to make our new home fully livable. I was able to do online purchasing, even during lockdown, to acquire basics like kitchenware, linens and some furniture (although lead times were sometimes months long.)

But finally, it all came together. My dream of crafting a life immersed in the aesthetics of an environment like no other became my reality. A place of infinite inspiration, where awe and wonder await.

Did I go through a lot? Mentally, emotionally and physically, yes, a LOT. Do I regret it? Not at all. Was it worth it? Absolutely, without any doubt!

I have been asked so many times about this journey. And I have documented it in detail. So, I’m happy to share that I am currently about one third of the way through writing a book about what brought me here, beginning with my first visit in my teens, and many subsequent serendipitous occurrences which led me to live, not only in this neighborhood, but on this very street.

I look forward to sharing it with you.

À bientôt.

xo

G

p.s. In case you were wondering, yes, we have renewed our visas for ten more years!

Bonjour, mes amis! My new book, Beautiful Blooms, releases in less than three weeks! Authors are responsible for the bulk of marketing and promotion of their works and those activities have been occupying me for some months.

I thought you’d enjoy seeing some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating content to be shared on social media, in publications and provided to publishers. To showcase the book in a variety of scenes, I purchased flowers from a wonderful local shop, Oz Garden, in shades that matched the book cover, and in some cases were the very same flowers that were used in the original book cover arrangement.

These gorgeous Juliet roses are a focal feature of the cover so I felt I had to give them a prominent role in the marketing materials.

I also picked up an armful of gorgeous fresh lilacs from another florist on Rue du Bac. Lilacs (and Lily of the Valley) were my mother’s favorites, so their incredible fragrance always makes me feel she is with me with when I work with them.

No make up and rain-soaked hair but always happiest when smothered with flowers.

For the first project, I wanted to do a flat lay of the cover, surrounded by the flowers. Now, here is my pro tip! Most people, when creating a flat lay, will chop the heads off the flowers in order to arrange them on a flat surface. I never do this, if at all avoidable. Flowers are very expensive and I like to get plenty of use out of them in multiple styling scenarios, such as a bouquet for a calendar client, a simple arrangement for a greeting card and so on. Therefore, my technique for the last many years is to suspend the flower stems through an elevated grate or grid. When I was on the road regularly, I would use an oven rack from wherever I was staying. For my US studio, David built me a large wooden frame and attached chicken wire, which worked so well. It was too large to bring to Paris but now I have this wonderful metal table with a woven lattice pattern. I can drop the stems of the flowers through the holes and voila! A beautiful flat lay with the flowers still intact!

In close up, you can see the that flowers are nestled tightly, as if they were cut off from the stem. But they aren’t! (and notice the perfect match of the lilacs and pale mauve flowers with their counterpart on the cover.) Below is the final image which will be seen in social media posts, newsletters and picked up by publishers.

And here are the flowers, after the above shoot, intact and in perfect shape for a gorgeous urn arrangement, which will be sent to my calendar publisher. And they were still looking great for use in yet another arrangement of small jars the next day.

If you, like me, hate sacrificing perfectly good flowers for a flat lay, you should try this. You can use anything with holes large enough for the stems to pass through but not large enough for the bloom to fall through. Suspend it between two buckets or tables so there is enough height for the stems to hang down. Work quickly, as your stems will be out of water. Roses, tulips and other thick-stemmed flowers can stay out of water for awhile without wilting, but lilacs are delicate and need to be returned to water as quickly as possible.

I hope you found this interesting and useful! Let me know if this is something you’d try with your own arrangements.

À bientôt!

xo

G

The newest issue of Victoria magazine for May/June 2026 just hit the stands. I’m so pleased and grateful to have a six-page article in the magazine featuring my new book, Beautiful Blooms! This gorgeous must-read issue features French chateaux, Parisian hat makers, Provençal perfumers and is a full immersion in French culture. The editors felt that my book, written entirely in Paris and also featuring French locations, was a perfect fit! Be sure to pick up this issue and if you are not a subscriber, I highly recommend becoming one and welcoming this always-romantic publication into your life. Available also from the Victoria magazine website in print and digital format.

À bientôt!

xo

G

When I surveyed my subscribers for the cover image for the Beautiful Blooms, this image was very popular and a top contender. I am making it available only to those who preorder the book. It will never otherwise again be available as a download. I’m offering it large enough to be printed at 16×20, which I have never done before with previous image downloads. (Apologies for the watermark which will not be in the final file.)

You can imagine that, in reviewing my image archives of 20 years, I found many images that I’d never published before. Only a certain number would fit in the book itself so I have created a 50+ page Bonus Chapter in PDF form. And, as with the download print, this is only available to those who preorder Beautiful Blooms. It will not be otherwise released. In this are some of my truly favorite images!

And I’ve created four new lock screens for your phone using images from the final printed book. They are sized to fit all phone makes and models so that when you download them, they should be ready for use.

And lastly, I’ve created a 30% discount code for my shop, Georgianna Lane Paris, exclusively for those who preorder the new book.

HOW TO REDEEM YOUR PREORDER GIFTS

To redeem your preorder gifts, simply email a screenshot of your Beautiful Blooms preorder purchase receipt (from any vendor) to media (at) georgiannalane.com. The download link with the package of all items will be emailed to you beginning on March 20, 2026. (To discourage spam, I have spelled out the email address but just use it with the “@” symbol.)

Thank you so much to everyone who preorders, purchases and enjoys my books! You’re the reason I keep creating them!

Here’s to Blooming Beautifully!

With love,

G

Bonjour and Happy New Year! The first week of January brought an unexpected gift, especially for this photographer. Paris experienced three days of snow, a rare occurrence and one I’d been awaiting for nearly 10 years!  With great anticipation, I followed the weather forecasts, preparing my snow boots, down parka and waterproof camera bag for my gear. We’ve been fooled many times before in Paris, when projected snow fall failed to make an appearance. But this time, the weather report was wholly accurate and, exactly on cue at 3:00 pm on the 5th, the snow made its grand entrance. Armed with detailed shot and locations lists, prepared in years in advance, I set out, geared up as if upon an arctic expedition.

THE LOUVRE AND TUILERIES

My first destination was the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries, both just a five minute walk from our apartment. The snow descended rapidly and within 30 minutes, the ground was blanketed, the large flakes obscuring all but the nearest buildings.

The initial eager crowds thinned as the afternoon grew much colder.

Seeing the iconic garden features – chairs, topiary, statues – dressed in winter white was a long-anticipated thrill.

And though my gloves and camera were getting damper by the moment, I paused only to make the briefest adjustments. I didn’t dare waste a second!

The Tuileries beehives were charming with their white top coat.

As dusk fell and the lamp posts glowed like beacons, the snow continued, creating a hush over the garden, broken only by the crunching of passing feet.

The next morning dawned brisk, cold and clear. Another early start was rewarded with sparkling views of the museum and the garden with a mantle of white.

Delighted Parisians and visitors made snowmen and launched impromptu snowball fights.

Although I took hundreds of images, I chose these to best tell the story. More will be used in upcoming books on Paris!

CHAMP DE MARS AND THE EIFFEL TOWER

The Eiffel Tower under snow is a sight many dream of beholding.  Here, images from the second and third days.

I call these images “Paris being Narnia” as the lamp posts are so reminiscent of the one at the gateway to the winter land of Narnia.

THE PALAIS ROYAL AND GARDEN

The forecast for the third day predicted heavy snow just before dawn. I arrived at the Palais Royal while it was still dark. The main gate was locked and remained so but those in the know are aware of the side entrances. Soon, I was in the garden, in near blizzard conditions, snow billowing and swirling and covering every surface. Such a wondrous hour spent nearly alone, crunching through pristine drifts of powder in a garden known for its spring and summer displays. I was acutely aware of the magic of those once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Bitterly cold, after an hour I feared for my fingertips so stopped long enough at a cafe in the garden for a very welcome latte and chance to dry off my camera and lenses. I use strictly Nikon equipment, known for its durability, and despite the icy cold and damp, it all performed perfectly.

I never imagined to see these benches, where I sit during the warmer months, coated in brilliant white.

The courtyard was closed, enabling the snow to remain unblemished. The smaller of the Buren columns were all but invisible.

At the end of three very intense and physically demanding days, I was most of all deeply grateful for the experience, so well worth the wait. Let me know your favorite images and what location you’d like to see more of!

À bientôt!

With love,

xo

G

I am delighted to announce the upcoming release of my newest book, Beautiful Blooms!

This project was the consuming focus of most of my time over the last year and it is my biggest book ever with over 300 pages in a large-format, coffee-table size. It is also my most personal work and contains not only a retrospective of 20 years of my previously unpublished flower images but my personal writings on floral photography, behind the scenes stories of many of the shoots and my personal thoughts on how flowers enhance our lives.

It is available for preorder now and will release in early May, depending upon your location. All the details of where to purchase can be found HERE!

THANK YOU!

I am deeply grateful to everyone of you who has been here and part of this journey for many years. Hundreds of you were involved in helping to choose the cover and many of you have already preordered. Photographed in locations around the world, and written here in Paris, this book was created to bring you joy and a beautiful haven to visit whenever you desire. THANK YOU!!

Love,

G

p.s. Exclusive gifts for those who worked on the cover with me and also for those who preorder will be announced soon!

PREORDER HERE

From the publisher:

                   An ode to floral beauty by one of the world’s leading floral photographers.

                  For more than twenty years, acclaimed photographer Georgianna Lane has traveled the globe in search of
nature’s most captivating flowers. From misty Parisian gardens at dawn to sun-drenched fields of California
ranunculus, from Andean rose gardens to centuries-old European estates, her lens has lovingly captured
                  thousands of fleeting floral moments.

                 This stunning volume is a visual celebration of nature’s most exquisite creations—a serene sanctuary of roses,
peonies, tulips, irises, hydrangeas, and more. Featuring a curated selection of her never-before-seen images,
Georgianna invites readers to slow down, breathe deeply, and immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of
the botanical world.

                 Organized around themes of Wonder, Joy, Reverie, Harmony, Serenity, and Grace, each chapter offers a
dreamlike exploration of flowers and gardens that uplift the spirit. With lyrical storytelling and evocative
imagery, this book is an invitation to cross the threshold of the everyday and step into an enchanted realm.

                 Whether displayed on a coffee table or gifted to a flower lover, this book will become a cherished source of
inspiration, reflection, and joy for years to come.

Bonjour! I’ve been out each day photographing the holiday splendor that is appearing all over Paris now. While decor is still being installed, here is a first look at those locations that are spreading joy this week. First is the gorgeous Ritz Paris hotel tree, above, which this year features hundreds of adorable Ritz bellboy teddy bears. The playful atmosphere they convey adds a special charm to the formal elegance of The Ritz. And the bears can be purchased right on site or on the Ritz Paris website.

Another magnificent tree is at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel (below). Created in coordination with Repetto, the pink decor features ballet motifs with slippers and tutus. And as a special connection, the designer of the Le Grand tree, Emma Sosa, is the daughter of the designer of the Ritz tree, Anne Vitchen, the Ritz in house floral designer. They also do the Opera Garnier tree and many others in town. They are the queens of the holiday trees in Paris!

The Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel is a wonderful spot for afternoon tea with a perfect view of this enchanting tree.

A few miles away, on Avenue Montaigne, the Dior flagship store once again features a visual extravaganza of light and color (below).

The windows feature a golden model of the Alexandre III Bridge and iconic scenes from the legendary house.

The Dior store on Rue Saint-Honoré features this twinkly forest scene (below).

This year’s tree at Galeries Lafayette (below) features swirls of colorful ribbons that are illuminated every 30 minutes in a light show with music.

Among my favorite places are the local florist shops that take great care to create a festive and cozy haven where residents purchase arrangements and trees for their homes.

This cafe on Boulevard Saint-Germain is holiday-ready year round with its red awnings next to the massive red door but adds extra dazzle at this time of year with garlands and trees.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tour of holiday wonder in Paris! More to come as I make my way around the city. Wishing you a most joyful season!

With love from Paris,

xo

G

Each year, I spend many, many hours creating the curated image collection for each title, all with the desire and intention that the calendars will bring you and your loved ones joy all throughout the coming year. I appreciate your continued support of my work through purchasing the calendars, my books and my fine art prints.

For 2026, I am once again releasing three new large 12″ x 12″ wall calendars and two 7″ x 7″ mini calendars (all created with my long-time publishing partner, Graphique de France), as well as the 2026 version of my free, downloadable Paris Desk Calendar in two sizes.

I’ve listed a few standard stockists for each calendar but I do encourage you to order and purchase through your local bookstores as they need as much support as we can give them during this holiday season and beyond.

(PLEASE NOTE: MANY OF THESE TITLES SOLD OUT EARLY LAST YEAR SO DON’T DELAY!)

A Parisian Life 12″ x 12″

graphiquedefrance.com    amazon.com

Fleurs 12″ x 12″

graphiquedefrance.com   amazon.com

Garden Bouquets 12″ x 12″

graphiquedefrance.com   amazon.com

A Parisian Life 7″ x 7″ (These are the same images as the 2025 large calendar – the publisher makes a mini version for the following year.)

graphiquedefrance.com

Garden Bouquets 7″ x 7″ (These are the same images as the 2025 large calendar – the publisher makes a mini version for the following year.)

graphiquedefrance.com

PARIS 2026 DESK CALENDAR – FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD FOR SUBSCRIBERS

This year, I again have created a digital download version of my popular desk calendar which will be made available FREE to everyone on my subscriber list. That’s right! Absolutely free and you can download and print the calendar at home or your local photo lab. To receive your copy, make sure you are on my mailing list (subscribe here) and watch your email for the newsletter coming out in November, which will have the download links for sizes 4″ x 6″ and 5″ x 7″.

Here’s a preview!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the list to get your copy! If you are already on the list, you’re all set!

Thank you, as always, for being here. Wishing you a wonderful season ahead.

With love,

G