France is one of my favorite countries to visit and not just the city of Paris, which often wins hands down to any other destination, but points far and wide.

Cannes is on my bucket list so when I received photography of the updated interiors of the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic designed by Kirei Studio, I decided to transport myself there by way of a fictive vacation for two of my favorite writers—Edith Wharton and Henry James. I chose the Christian Dior Suite for their literary design adventure. Not only would they enjoy the 180-degree views from the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and the storied location in the heart of the French Riviera, I reasoned; they’d adore the comfortably elegant furnishings and the airy sophistication achieved by the Parisian-based design firm.

It would simply be a bonus that they are staying in the only suite in Europe infused with the famous Parisian label’s panache. He was in his fifties and she was in her thirties when they wrote their first letters to each other. Once they met, it was a May/December affair of the intellectual kind, a bond the two passionate writers treasured. Their correspondence was filled with explorations of literature, as well as advice, support and excitement concerning each other’s work. I used these letters to create dialogue between the two and had a blast doing it! I have a number of posts under this tag so I if you enjoy stories set in France, both real and fictive, I hope you’ll stop by and read a few.