From Paris to Tuscany: The Enchanting World of Da Fred

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 8/30/2025

From Paris to Tuscany: The Enchanting World of Da Fred

Set in the tiny hamlet of Farnetella, just eight kilometers from my doorstep, Da Fred has quickly become one of the most delightful escapes in the Valdichiana. The journey there sets the tone: a road lined with olive groves and low stone walls winding uphill to a medieval village of scarcely 150 residents. Upon arrival, the sense of discovery only deepens. Parking opens to sweeping countryside views, and through the gates lies Da Fred’s rustic garden, a blend of Tuscan charm and effortless conviviality. Here, Fred himself greets you with a warm smile, handing over a small basket, complete with glasses, cutlery, plates, and placemats, before inviting you to sit wherever you feel most at home. Tables are scattered among lavender, roses, and olive trees, strung with garlands of light that create an atmosphere both festive and refined, where elegance meets the warmth of a countryside gathering.

Da Fred feels like a hidden gem you stumble upon and instantly wish were your secret. I’ve been twice, and each visit has been more enchanting than the last. Tucked in Farnetella, it’s the Tuscan home of Frederic and Sandrine Leroy—Parisians by origin, transplanted to Farnetellesi —whose leap from the bustling streets of Paris to this quiet corner of the Valdichiana has shaped not only their lives but also the life of the village.

Sandrine and Frederic Leroy

From City Streets to Countryside Serenity

Their journey began in 1999 with Biscuit Sec in Paris, a boutique that blended home décor with a cozy salon de thé. Over a decade later came Chez Fred, a small épicerie offering French terrines and biscuits alongside Italian staples like fresh pasta and pesto, with an array of homemade sandwiches. But after the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks in Bataclan hit just steps from their shop, Frederic and Sandrine realized it was time for a change. They wanted a better quality of life, a slower pace, and deeper connections—and Tuscany was the place that took their heart.

Farnetella, a tiny medieval hamlet of fewer than 150 residents, quickly became home. Here, life unfolds in small, beautiful ways: stopping for coffee with a neighbor, chatting in the piazza, helping out at local festivals. In 2019, the couple opened Da Fred/Maison de Campagne, a shop that pairs elegant décor and furniture with a curated selection of French and Italian gourmet products.

Visiting Da Fred is more than dining—it’s stepping into a French - Italian lifestyle that resonates within the garden. Frederic greets every guest and encourages you to pick a table wherever you feel most comfortable, handing you a basket of glasses, plates, and cutlery. The garden, dotted with tables under umbrellas, olive trees, and twinkling lights, immediately sets a tone of relaxed elegance. My first visit charmed me; the second revealed even more—layers of taste, style, and heart that make the place unforgettable.

From Foie Gras to Chianti: A Thoughtful French-Tuscan Menu

At Da Fred, the menu is as personal and thoughtful as the setting itself. The house specialty, silky foie gras (€24 for two, €36 for four), honors the couple’s French roots, while duck lovers can savor tender duck strips (€12), paired with a rustic vegetable tarte Tatin, golden potato gratin, or the same gratin enriched with earthy porcini mushrooms. Seasonal lasagne (€8) rotate through delicate layers of artichokes, wild mushrooms, or a Tuscan-inspired mix of pumpkin, mushrooms, and speck, and a tortino al formaggio (€9) adds a rich, savory touch. Generous platters of French and Italian cheeses and local charcuterie invite sharing, perfectly complemented by a wine list that leans French—Champagne, Chablis, Bordeaux—but never forgets Tuscany, with the unmistakable Chianti Classico grounding the experience in its adopted home.