Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2021 i My French Country Home

Dear Readers, I’m delighted to welcome you to the March/April edition of My French Country Home Magazine! We hope you are now well into the swing of your new year, full of gratitude and ready for the brighter skies of spring ahead. Here at MFCH, we’re happy to bring you new and exciting seasonal content that touches on the beauty and charm of day-to-day, authentic French living. For this issue, we take you properly into spring with visits to two breathtaking gardens. The Bois des Moutiers on the Normandy coast and the Chartreuse de Colombier in the Dordogne, though initially very different from one another in the way they were conceived, are both so deeply tied to their owners in immensely personal ways. While we’re in the Dordogne, perhaps you’d…

As in all authentic French country style, you have a muted color palette. Furniture and decorative objects are rustic and made by hand. The pieces have history and sit effortlessly side by side. Utensils are chosen based on both form and function — nothing tips off a French kitchen like an incredibly beautiful and practical set of copper cookware. Tableware may be mix-and-match or complete sets, but the overall style is mainly vintage. With the culture’s love of cooking and lively discussion, it is important for the kitchen to be a comfortable and pleasant place to be. Bar height counters are atypical. Instead, you will almost always find a long wooden table surrounded by plenty of seating for family and friends to savor dinners that stretch well into the late…

This limited-edition box is available for $220* instead of the public price of $255*! (*Shipping not included) MFCH Magazine subscribers can purchase this set for the exclusive price of $220 with coupon code MFCHOPERA at checkout. To purchase this collection go to: mystylishfrenchbox.com/artisans-un-soir-a-lopera Please allow up to four weeks for delivery. Additional $15 shipping supplement for customers in Australia and New Zealand…

Cooking means family for Héloïse Brion, who knows first-hand the difference between the food culture in the U.S. and France, having grown up in both. In America, not everyone was always able to sit down to eat at the same time, but whenever she returned to the Hexagon, her mother insisted they gather daily to share long meals together, as is the French tradition. Picture a family vacation to the Pyrénées-Orientales mountains set in a large, rustic mas (“country house”). No electricity meant all cooking was done over a wood-burning stove. Days were planned around meals, at which 20 people could easily be present: from nearby neighbors to passing walkers to visiting friends, everyone was welcome. Peach jam, honey from her grandfather’s hives, freshly baked bread… the memory of these…

Sylvie Larose and her husband, Pierre, were long-time residents of Versailles, but the couple dreamed of a quieter life off the beaten path. Sylvie and Pierre had always loved the small town of Meulles, located in a quaint corner of the Calvados region in distant Normandy, so it seemed only natural to begin scouring the real estate listings in the area. They knew they wanted a property with undeniable charm where it would be possible to regularly hold large pop-up antiques sales and events. “ We visited only one home, and we bought it! ” “My grandmother’s home was in this region. I visited her often in my childhood with my cousins, so this part of France holds a special place in my heart,” Sylvie recalls. After searching the internet…

Le Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen — situated on the border of Paris’s 18th arrondissement and the outlying suburban city of Saint-Ouen — is known colloquially as les Puces (Editor’s note: directly translating to “the fleas,” this term refers to flea markets). It is a testament to the fame of this particular sprawling market that when les Puces is mentioned, there is no question about which market is being referred to, despite there being three in Paris. Saint-Ouen is the standout, and within it, the portion Paul Bert Serpette is one of the most highly sought after by antiques lovers. Le Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, a destination with around five million visitors a year, was officially established in 1885, though travelers had built a makeshift market on the site long…

Don’t miss BRING ON THE SUMMER! Living al fresco, exploring Toulouse and inspirational gardens. PRINT Delivered to your door, enjoy the magic of French living in a beautiful collector’s-quality magazine. US$59.99 for one year (6 issues)* US$12.99 for one issue* Yearly print subscribers get FREE access to the digital version of the magazine. DIGITAL Enjoy the same beautiful My French Country Home features, photography and delicious recipes - wherever you are. Ideal for commuting or holidays, read the latest issue of MFCH on your smartphone and escape to France with the click of a button. Yearly digital (and print) subscribers get issues conveniently stored within the Bookshelf, accessible from your My French Country Home account. US$35.99 for one year (6 issues) US$6.99 for one issue Enjoy easy reading with adaptable…

In 2017, longing to escape their hectic lifestyles and the stress of the daily grind, Jayne and Steve Simmons decided to start over. Because they always fantasized about living in France, they left Gloucester to begin a new life in the Occitane region. They scoured real estate offerings in the area west of Toulouse, viewing 40 listings in the first month. Château Thuriès was the 37th property they visited, and they immediately fell in love. Although it had been vacant for five years, it was the perfect blank canvas for the couple’s vision — owning and operating a bed & breakfast. Surrounded by beautiful parkland, the château sits on a 3.7-acre property with the Canal du Midi running along the edge of the grounds. Not only is this landscape perfect…

*Wirework An interior décor trend that recently came en vogue, fil de fer is a nod to days past, when wire items were used for practical reasons. Shabby chic, handy and even a bit romantic, these distressed accessories offer a vintage, rustic feel and can be easily incorporated into any room. To give your home an affordable French touch, consider fil de fer — wire accessories popular in France that can take the form of everything from baskets to shelving.…

*Business Woman India Hicks is famous for her interior design, her eponymous lifestyle brand, her books and her extraordinary family story. Daughter of Lady Pamela Hicks and renowned interior designer David Hicks and granddaughter of Earl Mountbatten, India has time and again proven herself independently in the world of fashion and luxury home decor. A champion of female entrepreneurship, her brand allowed thousands of driven, passionate women to create careers from their own homes. Today, a leader of philanthropic endeavors and a spearheader of new projects, India shows no sign of slowing down. We spoke to her about how she created her brand, the importance of creativity and her new book, An Entertaining Story. In 2015, you launched an international luxury lifestyle brand, India Hicks. Can you tell us how…

* What’s new? MAGRITTE AT THE MUSÉE D’ORANGERIE The Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie exhibit a relatively unknown chapter of Magritte’s career: his 1940-1947 “Renoir Period.” The first-of-its-kind exhibition — which compares his works with those of fellow painter Auguste Renoir and contemporary artists such as Picabia and Jeff Koons — comprises 60 paintings and 40 drawings exploring themes of delight, charm and happiness. www.musee-orangerie.fr MARIN MONTAGUT’S PERSONALIZED BOOK OF SECRETS In 18th-century France, it was common to remove the pages of books so their bindings could act as hidden storage boxes for tiny treasures. Parisian artist Marin Montagut has brought this tradition back to life with his “Livres à Secrets” collection. Handmade and painted with whimsical themed illustrations, each Montagut “book of secrets” is lined with a…

Château de Biron 24540 Biron | www.chateau-biron.fr In "The Land of 1,001 Châteaux," as we call it, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but this majestic giant stands apart. You can see why medieval marauders were put off by its impressive size looming over the landscape. These days, it’s far more welcoming, with its weekly night markets in summer, explosive Bastille Day fireworks displays and art exhibitions throughout the year. Dordogne Dining www.privilegeperigord.com www.restauranteleonore.com The Dordogne is the reason they invented elasticized pants! We are truly spoiled for choice with great bistros and auberges (“inns”) dotted all over this area. I often frequent the easy-going Privilège du Périgord, which is nearby, as well as the elegant Restaurant Eléonore. A little further away, the renowned La Belle Étoile is perched between the…

Leeks & Seared Scallops SERVES 4 Preparation time: 10 min Cooking time: 10 min • 2 small leeks• 4 scallops, cleaned (keep the shells for presentation, if you wish)• 1 cup (20 cl) heavy cream• A few sprigs of dill• Olive oil• Pink peppercorn• Salt & pepper Rinse the leeks under cold water to clean. Drain, pat dry and cut them in half lengthwise then again into 3 or 4 parts (to make long, thin sticks). Drizzle olive oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add the leeks, then salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes (the leeks should be softened but still hold their shape), remove and set aside on a serving dish. Turn the pan up to high heat and sear the scallops…

Formerly named the Buffet de la Gare de Lyon, it was originally built for the 1900 Paris Exposition. Just as the city was transformed with themed pavilions of the many countries that would be exhibiting at the World’s Fair, the restaurant was created with different themed-lounges representing various cities and regions of France. Polished wood, sparkling brass, rich leather and blue velvet provides a solid balance to all the gilded detailing. The artwork depicting destinations covered by Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée (the railroad company that built the restaurant) could easily be displayed in a museum — the 41 murals on the walls and ceilings were created by the most in-demand painters of the late 19th and early 20th century. In 1963, it was renamed Le Train Bleu after the nickname of the famous…

1 Paris: From the Air | Jeffrey Milstein - Rizzoli Indulge in views of Paris that go above and beyond the Eiffel Tower. Former MFCH contributor Jeffrey Milstein combines his passion for aeronautics and taking pictures to tackle this aerial photography project. From the sugar-white domes of Sacré-Cœur to the marvelous symmetry of the city’s streets, this unparalleled portfolio of Paris inspires tourists and locals alike. 2 Bien Cuit: The Art of Bread | Zachary Golper, Peter Kaminsky-Regal Arts Much-heralded chef Zachary Golper shares his insider secrets for creating mouth-wateringly delicious artisanal bread from the comfort of your own home. Zachary joyously revives classics, from Sicilian lard bread to Kaiser rolls, all through his trademark approach of long, low-temperature fermentation, creating the signature bien cuit (“well-baked”) crust that characterizes his…

You are the only American designer to have been honored by the French Heritage Society. What was your entry into French style, and can you describe how you incorporate it into your projects? When I was 30 years old, I moved to Paris to run the European operations of the international advertising agency that I had been working for in New York. It truly was the single most life-altering event I had ever experienced. There is this totally intangible feeling deep inside me when I am in France. I honestly feel most at home when I am there — more than anywhere else in the world. The combination of the architecture, history, energy and light just makes me feel good in my own skin. A magazine once described my aesthetic…

As a little girl, Katia Gortchakoff spent a lot of time at the theater, but her experience was atypical. Instead of buying a ticket at the box office and proceeding to a plush seat facing the stage like most spectators, Katia would watch the performances from the top of a ladder in the wings, perched between the projectors. Katia’s opera singer mother used to take her daughter along when she traveled to perform. The drill was always the same: they would arrive early, chat with the cast and crew, Katia would watch her mother prepare for the show and, shortly before the curtain came up, she would climb the ladder to her favorite vantage point among the lights and scaffolding. For the next three hours, she would sit silently, her…

Along, low house that stands alone without a multitude of other buildings on the grounds is called a chartreuse. The term is still commonly used in Southwest France, where the charming Chartreuse du Colombier was built in the 17th century near Paunat in Dordogne. This elegant house is nestled into its own expanse of rolling hills in the verdant countryside. The beautiful building, made from warm-colored stone, features blue shutters and old terracotta-tiled roofing with just the right dose of patina and lichen. Its windows and doors are surrounded by frames of carved stone, and a dovecote provides a whimsical touch. The property was once a riding school and stables for horse breeding. Bernard Hautefort first visited as a 14-year-old cavalier, when he spent much of his free time on…