Lately, you’ve probably seen the village chic aesthetic spreading all over the internet — also known as cottagecore. It’s a trend that romanticizes countryside living, slow rhythms, and reconnecting with nature.

But for me, it’s not just an online fantasy — it’s my actual summer lifestyle. Each summer, I trade Dubai’s sleek skyline (where we spend most of the year) for my boyfriend’s family estate in Lyon. And here’s the twist: it’s less cottage and more château.

This contrast makes the retreat feel even more authentic: a French Village Chic escape, infused with heritage, traditions, and the kind of bourgeoisie charm that Instagram can only try to recreate.

So today, I’m opening the doors to that world — a glimpse into French bourgeois life, our family estate, and, of course, a curated selection of picks that perfectly match this aesthetic.

Built in the 17th century and passed down through generations, my boyfriend’s family château (in France, the word means a heritage estate, not just a palace) in the French countryside feels like a true piece of living heritage, its walls holding centuries of stories. Dressing here feels like a quiet responsibility — as if the ghosts of the house need to approve the looks you serve.

**Historic Note:** In France, the bourgeoisie were wealthy city families who built countryside estates as symbols of status and heritage. Many included a small chapel for private family ceremonies and a fountain in the garden — both practical and decorative. The chapel marked devotion and tradition, while the fountain echoed the style of grander estates like Versailles, bringing a touch of elegance to everyday life.

So what is a day like at the estate?

It begins with a slow walk to the village boulangerie for fresh baguette and still-warm pains au chocolat.

Wearing: Reformation Dress, Loewe Bag, Celine sunglasses, Hermes Twilly as a headband

Then the day drifts to the basin — which also moonlights as the piscine. I may have snuck in a flamingo float (a very modern intrusion), surprisingly approved by the oldest generation as the perfect wink to the garden’s centuries-old charm. A little bridge between past and present.

Afternoons here mean a leisurely lunch of market finds, a sun-drenched sieste, and finally my favourite time of the day — le goûter at five. Technically, the French go for pastries and fruit, but in our family it’s always rosé and plenty of gossip — that is the French bourgeoisie life at its most charming.

And the day closes with dinner against that poetic view — only to slip seamlessly into a new day, where the slow-living ritual begins all over again.

So let’s get into Cottagecore à la française and how to dress for this kind of ambiance.

Château Core is Cottagecore reimagined through a French lens — countryside romance with château grandeur and that effortless je ne sais quoi. Picture flowing linens and soft ruffles, styled with Jane Birkin’s Provençal ease: woven baskets for baguettes, ribbons in the hair, a touch of boho chic, a hint of bourgeois elegance — and, of course, boots for strolling in the garden.

To capture this mood, I’ve gathered a selection of clothes and accessories that bring Château Core to life — pieces that balance rustic charm with French refinement, and make the aesthetic easy to wear beyond the château walls, from budget-friendly finds to luxury options.