Erica Packer on her favourite places to visit in France and her design inspirations
The London-based style setter shares her Paris secrets, latest, interior-world obsessions and favourite restorative escapes.
Your Paris hidden gem?
Jardin Catherine-Labouré is a dreamy escape from the busy streets, with rambling blackberries and fruit trees. It’s a charming spot to read or take a quiet moment in the neighbourhood.
Favourite part of Paris?
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on the Left Bank, is where I keep an apartment. It’s the neighbourhood of museums, culture, beautiful shops of every kind, and hôtel particuliers.
Personal style icon you wish you’d met?
Catherine Deneuve.
Travel destination at the top of your wish list?
I’d love to explore southern France – the Camargue and Biarritz.
Interior world find you would most like to take home?
The Camaïeu Chocolat hand-painted dinner service by my friend Zoë de Givenchy and bronze candlesticks by Osanna Visconti, from The Invisible Collection.
Design luminaries you would still like to meet?
Peter Marino and Pierre Yovanovitch.
Favourite up-and-coming artists?
Idris Khan and Annie Morris – a powerhouse couple, both with an incredible future.
Building you’d love to call home?
The Museé Rodin in Paris.
Hotel you’d like to experience next?
The Maybourne Riviera. It’s an easy flight from London down to Nice to spend a weekend perched high above the sparkling Med.
Latest book on your reading pile?
Picasso’s War: How Modern Art Came to America by Hugh Eakin.
What are you most excited to watch?
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Wellness pursuit you are most keen to try?
A seven-day cleanse at the new Lanserhof in Sylt [Germany].
Favourite drink?
Hendrick’s gin and tonic with cucumber, consumed in my garden at 5pm.
Latest tech obsession?
The LYMA face laser.
Where is your happy place?
On my horse, riding on the beach in Malibu, looking out over the Pacific.
This story appears in the September issue of Wish magazine.
