Inspiration
The Good Life in the Villages of the Fontainebleau Region
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Inspiration
A summer day with Gesa Hansen
Nestled in a former artist's house in the village of Samois-sur-Seine, designer and interior architect Gesa Hansen has transformed this home into a creative, family sanctuary. Joined by her three children, Lou, Finn and Romy, she takes us along for a summer's day by the Seine, where nature and the art of living go hand in hand. From bouldering in the forest and pizzas by the river to pottery workshops, favourite restaurants and a roaming pastry stop, the German-Danish designer shares her favourite addresses and seasonal rituals. A summer escape filled with refreshing swims and inspiring detours, perfectly reflecting the warmth and creativity that define her world.
Location
Fontainebleau
Author
Anne-Laure Griveau
Photos and videos
Gautier Billotte, Valerio Geraci
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La Pâtisserie de Molly
“Molly creates beautifully precise, delicate pastries that are never overly sweet, using organic, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. She makes the best kanelbullar I've ever tasted. She spent many years in Norway and now lives by the Seine in a tiny house, where she bakes everything herself. On Friday evenings, you'll often find her at La Ferme des Gogottes.” — Gesa
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The banks of the Seine
“The banks of the Seine are both our daily walking route and our village beach. I walk there early every morning with my dog, and in summer we head down with the children to swim and dive into the river. When I'm swimming in the middle of the Seine, I find the same sense of perspective I usually only experience at sea, whether I'm on a surfboard or sailing.” — Gesa
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Sonja de Monchy Ceramics
“Sonja works with clay as a living material, embracing joyful colours and a truly experimental spirit. I particularly love her raku pieces, which retain the marks of the hand, the fire, and an element of unpredictability.” — Gesa
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Chez Démé
“Chez Démé is the pizzeria run by my cousin Charles and his wife Chloé – they're my family here in Samois. Their pizzas are incredible, and eating them on the jetty overlooking the Seine as the sun sets is one of my favourite summer rituals.” — Gesa
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Fontainebleau forest
“It’s probably the most beautiful gym in the world: sand, pine trees, moss and thousands of sandstone boulders. I come here to climb, but also simply to find silence and focus again. After an hour in the forest, the everyday worries of life already seem much smaller.” — Gesa
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Maison Sumac
“It’s a bit like my headquarters in the village, just a five-minute walk from home. It’s where I meet all my friends from Samois – our local spot, where we gather over excellent wines. Virginie serves food that is both wonderfully wholesome and incredibly delicious.” — Gesa
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Next Up
Gesa Hansen, Lou, 15, Finn, 11, and Romy, 9