What began as a search for the perfect setting for her latest showhome became an unexpected homecoming for acclaimed designer Jennifer Farrell. Drawn to the vineyards, medieval villages, and centuries-old architecture of Bordeaux, France, Farrell discovered the ideal location for Interconnected Changeable Environments, the Showhome Experience by Jennifer Farrell, just 20 minutes from Saint-Émilion, where she and her husband honeymooned years earlier.
Here, Farrell shares how Bordeaux has captured her heart, from its charming cafés and historic châteaux to the extraordinary beauty of the French countryside — and how embracing the region’s celebrated joie de vivre has transformed her perspective on life beyond design.
Destination: Bordeaux, France
Most recent trip: October 2026
Temperature range: 40s in the winter; 90s in the summer
Solo trip or vacation with family/friends? A quest to find a showhome became an ongoing journey with family and friends
First visit or repeat destination? Repeat destination – and now the home of my Interconnected Changeable Environments Showhome Experience
When did you first travel to Bordeaux, and how many times have you returned since?
The first time I visited Bordeaux was about two years ago — we were on the hunt to find I.C.E. House. I was looking for a place to build Interconnected Changeable Environments, and wanted to find three authentic stone houses to transform into the sustainable, adaptable home of the future. Bordeaux and the surrounding region were just part of that journey — my husband and I pretty much went all around Southwest France. We honeymooned in Saint-Émilion many years ago, fell in love with the town and the region, and ended up finding the perfect location for I.C.E. House about 20 minutes from our original honeymoon spot.
What was your first impression of Bordeaux and the surrounding countryside? Has your perception of it changed as you’ve spent more time there?
Bordeaux is a beautiful city, and the surrounding wine region is extraordinary. I would say that the city of Bordeaux is like all the good parts of Paris, but much more laid back, and it moves at a quieter pace. But it’s the countryside that’s really magic for me; endless vineyards, gorgeous ancient châteaux, both bucolic and refined at the same time.
What is it about Bordeaux that continues to draw you back?
The city of Bordeaux must have 50 town squares, with restaurants all around. It seems like everyone’s in cafés all the time, and it’s just so beautiful. Gorgeous architecture, outdoor parks and markets — the city is very cultured, but also very relaxed and friendly.
Bordeaux is known for its vineyards and wine culture, but what do you think visitors might be surprised to discover about the region?
I think what people might be surprised to discover about the region is how old it really is. Villages like Saint-Émilion and Sauveterre-de-Guyenne — where we have created I.C.E. House — are 800 years old. There are churches and cathedrals in the countryside that are quite literally 1000 years old, and they’re still standing; some of them are even still active churches. It’s absolutely magic to walk through the arches of the tiny village of Sauveterre de Guyenne, passing through the same tower that its citizens and visitors have passed through for eight centuries.
What does a perfect day in Bordeaux look like for you — from your first coffee in the morning to your last glass of wine at night?
A perfect day in Bordeaux means arriving by lunchtime and dining on the terrace at the Hotel Intercontinental, in the historic part of the city. From there, I walk down Rue Saint Catherine, which is the longest and busiest shopping street I’ve ever seen — literally thousands of people all on the street at once, with fabulous ateliers. Then I head over towards the Mairie (the Mayor’s offices), and there’s a beautiful square with a gorgeous cathedral and several cafés where I like to have an afternoon coffee or glass of wine. I circle back to the Place de la Bourse, then dinner at one of the bustling riverfront restaurants.
Is there a particular town, village, street, market, or part of the countryside where you find yourself returning again and again? What makes it special?
I return all the time to Saint-Émilion because it really is one of the most beautiful villages in the world. When I’m there, I always go to Maison Galhaud and Chateau Guadet for wine tasting, where the proprietors feel like family. The view from the clock tower overlooking the village is a picture-perfect postcard, and there’s a fabulous café at the bottom of the village looking up at the cathedral and clock tower that is one of my favorite spots.
Where would you recommend staying for someone who wants to experience the character and design of the region?
If you’re staying in Bordeaux proper, the Hotel Intercontinental is exquisite. It’s right across from the Opera House, with a wonderful outdoor terrace that overlooks one of the most vibrant squares in the city. If you’re venturing out to wine country, Chateau Grand Barrail in Saint Emilion is absolutely lovely. It’s a historic chateau in the heart of world-class vineyards, and it’s a charming stroll through the grapevines into the medieval village.
If you could bring one element of the Bordeaux way of life back home with you—not an object, but a feeling, ritual, or philosophy—what would it be?
It’s been a real journey for me: creating a showhome in another country, immersing myself in the language and the culture, and learning to slow down — which is not my skill set. But the French have really mastered the work/life balance, and they prioritize family and friends and quality of life. It’s completely different in the Bordeaux countryside than the bustling rush I’m accustomed to in Los Angeles; dinners with friends last 7 hours, and a sunset walk through the vineyards isn’t an occasional luxury — it’s a daily ritual. That’s the part of Bordeaux that I’ve really absorbed in my travels, and it’s the spirit that I’ll take with me wherever I go: to truly embrace the joie de vivre.
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