The French Woman - Garance

6 days ago | garancedore.substack.com | Garance Doré

2025: A FACE ODYSSEYHello, Real Face. How Are You? I hadn’t done any Botox for months and months, and my “real face” was starting to show up. In a way, it’s a bit like going up to the attic where the portrait of Dorian Gray really lives. Suddenly, I discovered my forehead is actually extremely mobile, that I’m not “naturally immune” to frown lines, and—wait, what? Holy shit! I’m getting older. I liked seeing the real me.

6 days ago | garancedore.substack.com | Garance Doré

Join me on June 28th to celebrate our community’s 5 year anniversary! We’ll have food, drinks, and best of all great company. The exact timing for our celebration will be determined based on the final RSVPs so thank you for committing by purchasing a ticket. We have a number of other little meet-ups in mind from a morning run to private museum tour, and hopefully a morning coffee and cake on Sunday, June 29th, so we can all be together in one space.

2 weeks ago | garancedore.substack.com | Garance Doré

I was at a dinner recently, where everyone was chatting about their children—showing photos, debating schools. It’s always a bit awkward finding yourself in these circles when you're not a mother. You never quite know what to say. Eventually, someone always asks if you have kids, and when you say you don’t, you can literally feel the discomfort, see people searching for ways to include you in the conversation. But it’s truly okay.

2 weeks ago | garancedore.substack.com | Garance Doré

… Still in Paris. I am beginning to learn that literally no one stays in Paris one day longer than they need to. For real Parisians, Paris is a week-only place. On top of that, every six weeks there is a school vacation and the city empties of all of its Parisians. If you stay around, your social calendar comes down to about zero. It’s a great time to write that novel, book your facelift or even go on a forced silent retreat, as the only people you will encounter around town are tourists.

4 weeks ago | garancedore.substack.com | Garance Doré

Do you remember when I said that I wanted to update my look because—well, because Paris? Well, I’m starting—ever so slowly. This was yesterday’s look—I had a day of meetings. I had to look good without looking too eager (ahah, do you know what I mean?)(like, “hire me!!!” but also, “I don’t really need it”)(it’s like dating, in other words), relaxed, but not totally chill. I went for an easy, super soft sweater with a white tee shirt underneath whichishow we wear sweaters now, okay?