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Have you ever heard of Roissy, France? If you have, you likely only know it from two things: Being home to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport; and the key setting for erotic novel The Story of O, a tawdry Eyes Wide Shut-like romp from the 1950s that seemed far more scandalous back then compared to now. 

Erin Zaleski visited the village for Beast Travel and reported it’s far more than old chateaus for debauched fictional aristocrats. There’s ancient archaeological ruins, a craft brewery on a medieval farm, and a quaint town center more rural than anything you’d expect so close to Paris.

Elsewhere, Loïc Cardinal spent some time on Greece’s most touristy islands—Santorini and Mykonos—and wrote about how luxury hotels have embraced fine dining as a way of standing out from the pack in these hotspots.

Speaking of Zaleski’s dispatches from underrated parts of France, I’m reminded of her writing on Bibliothèque Mazarine, the gorgeous, ornate, centuries-old library that serves as an oasis smack dab in the middle of Paris.

Enjoy!

— Andrew Kirell, Senior Editor

This French Village Is So Much More Than Its Famous Sex Novel

Not to be confused with the Paris airport, Roissy is full of curiosities, including ancient ruins and a craft brewery on a medieval farm. There’s also that famous sex book.

Greece’s Most Touristy Islands Get Into Fine Dining

In perennial hotspots like Santorini and Mykonos, hotels like the Katikies luxury brand hope their fine dining options will help them stand out.

France’s Oldest Public Library Is Paris’ Best Oasis

Many of its riches were seized in the Revolution and then ferreted into the library which, astonishingly, stayed open even as the guillotine continued to fall across the river.

Finally, a Chic Paris Hotel That’s Actually Affordable

When it comes to visiting Paris, it’s incredibly difficult to find a decent hotel without breaking the bank. Enter this elegant hotel right near the Eiffel Tower.

“Bewilderment laced with pity would be the best way to describe the reaction of friends and family when I revealed where I was headed for my latest travel assignment.”

—Erin Zaleskion visiting the village best known for its international airport—and as the setting for an erotic novel.

This Suitcase Simplifies Travel

The Zipper Carry-On Max is, first and foremost, shockingly lightweight—which, the more I think about it, is how every suitcase should be. It’s hard-sided, which I personally love because that means it can fit in the overhead bin no matter how much you stuff in it. Trust me when I say I really put this to the test. It has four wheels which are extremely quiet—thank god, because there’s nothing I hate more than the clickety-clack of wheels going down airport walkways.

—Scouted by Daniel Modlin, Scouted Contributor

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Travel the World with the King of Minimalism

There are bold-faced names in the world of design, and then there’s a level above that–the bold-faced names that other bold-faced names turn to. Such is the status of John Pawson, the self-taught architectural designer who has created works for some of the most famous people in the world. Now, a new monograph from Phaidon, John Pawson: Making Life Simpler, dives into the talented man’s vision and work. It is the latest for our series on gorgeous new coffee table books, Just Booked.

The book is equal parts biography and photography. Pawson’s personal life is discussed, as is the course of his unusual career path. The book isn’t an instruction manual, but it is instructive. A reader browsing its pages comes to understand how Pawson’s path took the shape it did. Perhaps, for the young, idiosyncratic creative, it offers the possibility of inspiration for forging their own.

Don’t miss our other selections for our series on gorgeous travel-related coffee table books, Just Booked.

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