Innholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2021 i My French Country Home

Dear Readers, I hope that you are well and enjoying life as we slowly return to normal. It has been such a joy to see family and friends, eat at a restaurant and, of course, travel! We hope that you will enjoy visiting France’s beauty again soon — with this in mind, we’ve highlighted 2021’s must-visit openings to add to your itinerary. In this issue, we head to the South, but perhaps not the one that first springs to mind. The lesser-known Gard region has everything you need for a great getaway: delicious local food, untouched villages, a dynamic cultural scene and 2,000 years of history to explore. We take you through the main towns to visit and what to do while you’re there. While we’re there, we make some…

She knows the importance of sourcing the right ingredients, bought from the weekly farmer’s market. A crisp pain de tradition, hot from the boulangerie; a bowl of fragrant strawberries, their green stalks left on; a perfectly ripe peach. And she knows these natural flavors taste best with no-frills cooking. Slow living is the basis of French family dining. Even during the busiest of days, time will be made to lay the table, to prepare a meal, to sit down and share a moment together. The table does not have to be richly dressed. There is no need for lots of cutlery or glasses. At most, an embroidered linen cloth and vintage crockery to highlight the season’s produce, all complemented by some pretty foliage. When Sophie adds a sprig of flowers…

Historic yet modern, imposing yet welcoming, the Gard’s contradictions give it a distinct flavor that sets it apart from the rest of France. Some of the world’s best-preserved Roman monuments are found here, but there is so much more to explore… For a deep understanding of the Gard’s origins, make the former Roman colony Nîmes your first port of call. Time travel 2,000 years into the past at the Arènes — a pillar of the town’s landscape with a vibrant cultural agenda. Meander through the narrow streets sampling regional baked delights or flavorsome charcuterie, then spend the afternoon exploring the Quartier de la Fontaine before alfresco dining at one of the bustling eateries at Place de la Maison Carrée, with its view of a Roman temple in perfect condition. With…

1 • Discover France in 100 Destinations  Franck Ferrand - Flammarion Admire Monet’s water lilies, visit the grave of Leonardo da Vinci, stroll through the Villandry gardens… from vineyards to prehistoric caves to Renaissance châteaux, France boasts one of the world’s richest cultures. In this guide, French historian Franck Ferrand rounds up 100 essential sites to discover — museums, architecture, natural wonders and more — organized by theme and location. 2 • A Table in Paris John Donohue - Abrams Image It’s almost impossible to disassociate Paris from its internationally beloved restaurant culture. This gastronomic guide by artist John Donohue takes you on an unforgettable exploration of the capital’s dining scene by arrondissement. With stories and recommendations from locals, visitors and experts, it charts the best cafés, bistros and brasseries…

In 2019, Stephen and Jeany Cronk — founders of popular Provençal rosé brand Maison Mirabeau — laid eyes on a stunning wine estate in the middle of the Plaine des Maures National Nature Reserve. Driving through its gates after turning off a winding, old road to Saint Tropez, they realized they had finally found what they had been searching for. Domaine Mirabeau, which enjoys a Mediterranean climate and a unique position close to the villages, countryside and coastline of Provence, comprises 50 acres of vineyards and a rich landscape of cork oak trees, umbrella pines and chestnut groves. On it sits a beautiful, 200-year-old Napoleonic bastide, lovingly renovated by Jeany in her modern yet relaxed style of interiors, as well as a charming farmhouse dubbed “Le Mas.” The property is…

July and August can be challenging in the garden. The temperatures rise, the roses are past their best, and it is not yet time for the colorful dahlias and salvias of fall. Enter the sunflower. Bold, extravagant and surprisingly elegant, sunflowers come in a spectrum of warm shades, from shiny gold to blood orange. These giant-headed flowers seen in endless Provençal fields are not easy to use indoors; however, their smaller blooming cousins are wonderful for statement pieces. Arranged with darker leafage to offset the bright petals and highlight the dark centers, sunflowers make for an eye-catching bouquet. To create this bouquet, use thirty sunflowers in varying yellow tones. Assemble in a large vase, then add a dozen branches of dark foliage, such as black elderflower, to add texture. Cut…

* What’s new? LADURÉE VEGAN MACARONS Vegans rejoice! Ladurée, everyone’s favorite luxury French pâtisserie, has made its world-famous macarons accessible to those who favor plant-based diets. Indulge in Coconut Caramel and Pure Chocolate from Peru crafted with ganache made from a mixture of vegetable butter, millet, almond and hazelnut milk. www.laduree.fr WINE & ICE CREAM SHOP “I scream, you scream, we all scream for vin!” So goes the mantra at Folderol, a unique ice cream shop in Paris’s 11th arrondissement, which serves up interesting flavors (such as almond speculoos cheesecake and lemon peanut swirl) as well as an impressive selection of wine. With something for everybody, it’s the perfect after-dinner spot… or any time at all! www.folderol.com KELEPOQ’S VINTAGE PHOTOS Kelepoq (a wordplay on the phrase quelle époque! – “what a…

An address that befits its stately activity, Maison Agry is located on Rue de la Castiglione, the same spot where it first opened in 1811. Connecting Jardin des Tuileries to Place Vendôme, Castiglione is considered one of Paris’s most elegant streets. Large stone arcades cover its sidewalks, and the road (unusually wide by Parisian standards) gives the street an imposing feel. Famous hotels, luxury shops and Michelin-starred restaurants line Castiglione, but most are recent additions to the area — at least in comparison to Agry. The business was bought by the Agry family in the 1860s, and today, Catherine Agry stands at its helm — the first woman to do so among her predecessors. Catherine, who works in partnership with her son, has no plans to break this long-established practice.…

The antiques trade has always been an eco-friendly affair. Countercurrent to today’s fast-paced consumerism, antiques dealers and brocanteurs fix, refurbish and rehome would-be discarded items and ultimately create a second life for ancient treasures. Arnaud de Saint Martin is a trailblazer for this philosophy. His wares do not come polished, dusted or even cleaned. He specializes in antique doors and wood paneling, a selection derived from homes and châteaux across France. Arnaud stores his ever-changing supply in the soft light of an old glass-roofed factory. There is nothing fancy about his display. His inventory of one thousand doors is organized by category and style. Each door or set of paneling is carefully listed with its size, age and any other relevant information on its inside edge for easy retrieval. Much…

Heirloom Tomato & Romesco Tart SERVES 6 Preparation time: 40 mins (+ 30 mins rest time for crust) Cooking time: 30 min For the tart crust • 1 cup (115 g) brown rice flour• 1 cup (110 g) sorghum flour• ¾ cup (85 g) potato starch• ⅓ cup (75 g) cold butter (or dairy-free alternative), diced• ½ cup (65 g) tapioca starch• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast• 2-4 tbsp ice-cold water• ½ tsp sea salt For the Romesco sauce • 1 cup (75 g) toasted almonds• 110 g marinated red peppers, drained• ½ cup (65 g) extra virgin olive oil• ¼ cup (4 tbsp) tomato purée• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar• 1 garlic clove, minced• 1 tsp smoked paprika• ½ tsp sea salt• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper For the topping •…

Utter the word “Provence,” and many images come to mind. Cavernous hilltop villages with buildings coated in wandering greenery, squares with bubbling fountains, the scent of lavender and crisp white linen. Vicki Archer’s chambre d’hôte (guest house) fits perfectly within these visions. Dubbed "Le Petit Bijou" ("Little Gem"), this townhouse is based in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence — a place that has inspired centuries of artists, who have all been drawn to the region’s magical light like bees to honey. Vicki — an Australian writer and ardent Saint-Rémy fan — made a lifelong dream a reality when she acquired this 17th-century property and converted it into a guest house. Le Petit Bijou is situated near Hôtel de Sade, one of the town’s most important institutions, close to a vast complex of ancient thermal…

Roased Tomatoes With Spices & Lemon Yogurt SERVES 4 Preparation time: 5 mins Cooking time: 30 mins • 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) cherry tomatoes• 4 garlic cloves• 2 tsp cumin• 1 tsp dried cilantro• 3 sprigs fresh thyme• 1 organic lemon• 3 tbsp powdered sugar• 1 ¹⁄ ³ cup (300 g) Greek yogurt• ½ bunch fresh cilantro• Salt & pepper Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Zest and juice the lemon. Peel and thinly slice the garlic. Rinse the tomatoes and place them in a baking dish. Cover with all the ingredients except for the yogurt, lemon juice and fresh cilantro. Bake for 20 minutes, then switch to grill mode for 10 minutes more. Meanwhile, mix the lemon juice and fresh cilantro (roughly chopped) into the yogurt, and season to…

*Business Woman Carla, both your professional and personal journeys have been diverse and eclectic. Could you give us a brief rundown of your CV to date? During my 20s and 30s, I had a successful business in Australia selling clothing, but I was missing a sense of purpose, community and adventure. I basically had an early mid-life crisis and swapped Sydney for Italy to start anew. I studied photography in Florence and went on to become a travel photographer, working with magazines and publishing books, including My French Life with Vicki Archer (Editor’s note: the owner of “Le Petit Bijou” on p52). In 2004, my husband and I moved to Paris, where I started a private portrait business celebrating women. A decade later in 2014, I embarked on another new…

Josephine Ryan An antiques dealer and stylist, Josephine’s extensive knowledge and natural eye for beauty make her a reputed industry name. She has penned books, including Essentially French, and divides her time between England and France. Josephine gave us tips for spending time in Uzès, near her French home. @jryanantiques Les Terroirs 5 place aux Herbes www.les-terroirs-restaurant-uzes.com Perfect for an impromptu light lunch (the pissaladière is my go-to) after trawling the market. Tom, the polyglot patron, is always welcoming, and food is served all day. Inside, there is an épicerie with many delicious products that make great gifts. La Chine Populaire 7 avenue de la Libération www.lachinepop.fr Uzès has several antique shops, brocantes and a weekly puces at the rugby club on a Sunday morning. This one is my favorite.…

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