Kinkahe Travels | An ode to bringing your basket abroad, travel writer, Chloe Frost-Smith shares her fond memories from the French Riviera

I have long adored the rural French way of life - and some of my fondest childhood memories spent holidaying in the South of France include grabbing the biggest basket I could find, strapping it to my bicycle, and filling it with fragrant fruit, jars of homemade honey, and freshly baked bread from the morning market. I learnt from an early age that a sturdy, woven basket was not only a chic accessory on the arm of almost every local, but also a must-bring simply for its sheer practicality (how else am I going to safely transport my Tarte Tropézienne?) 

On my most recent trip to the Côte d’Azur, the small K1 was the perfect take-absolutely-everywhere essential (though serious shoppers should opt for the large). I stocked up on all my favourite magazines in the airport, and still had enough room for my camera - and that’s before I had even landed. 

Seasoned Saint-Tropez visitors will know that a day-to-night bag makes hopping from Pampelonne Beach to the Byblos bar a breeze, and the black handles on the K1 give this basket an all-day edge. Mornings here usually start with breakfast beneath the iconic red awnings on the waterfront, poring over a local newspaper with your pastries. Before the heat of the day starts to set in, I like to saunter along the waterfront – in high season, artists bring their easels to paint the yachts bobbing around in the port, the pretty shopfronts, and the sunshine-yellow bell tower. It’s wonderfully slow paced, and the only real haste you’ll need to make is to grab a spot and lay your towel on La Ponche, a crescent-shaped cove backed by pastel-painted, shuttered buildings.

Late afternoon is my favourite time of the day to catch some rays, either swinging gently in the hammock or lounging on one of the cherry-red beds around the pool at Hôtel Lou Pinet. When the umbrella pines begin to cast long shadows, and the cicadas start to buzz, it’s time to bookmark my page and roll up my towel, ready for an evening of alfresco dining and rosé à la piscine. Speaking of rosé (you wouldn’t believe how many bottles I brought back from a nearby winery in the K1), it’s worth heading into the hills for a tour and tasting at one of the local vineyards while you’re in Côtes de Provence country. Save room to sample and stock up on some accompanying chutney and cheese, as there’ll often be a deli or farm shop of sorts selling locally made produce alongside the wine.

My conclusion? This bring-everywhere basket is a must-have Côte d’Azur carry-on for perusing markets, and idling away slow, sunny days on the beach or by the pool.

I'll leave you with a post-trip tip - fold your Provençal soaps or dried lavender sachets into your linens and store in the K3 or K4 to keep your laundry looking and feeling French Riviera fresh.