Innholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2021 i My French Country Home

Dear Readers, La rentrée is here. This change affects our gardens, our meals and our homes, offering an occasion to turn the page as a new season begins. Nothing says fall more than rich colors. Dahlias are one of my favorite flowers, so I was thrilled to meet Edoardo Grassi — a talented man who cultivates these jewel-tone blooms out of a 17th-century orangery in the company of his faithful dog, Gaspard. Don’t miss his growing tips on p104. For many, the potager is an investment that brings joy throughout the year, and it is particularly abundant in autumn. So, what better moment to visit two of France’s most exceptional vegetable patches? Barbara de Nicolay has restored Château du Lude to the marvel that it is today — you’ll quickly…

1. The Paris Library Janet Skeslien Charles - Atria Books The true story of the heroic librarians of the American Library in Paris during WWII, The Paris Library follows the lives of two girls: Odile, a brave bibliophile who joins the Resistance, and Lily, a teenager in small-town Montana who uncovers the secrets of her elderly neighbor over a shared love of language. This compelling novel paints an unforgettable and compelling picture of heroism, romance, loss, fear, friendship, family and the power of literature. 2. The Crêpe Recipe Book for Beginners Ann Costlow - Rockridge Press What better way to feel French than to perfect the crêpe? Inside this charming cookbook, find step-by-step instructions and tutorial photos for creating all kinds of delectable sweet and savory crêpes, including vegan, gluten-free,…

*Business Woman You’re most famous as a Chanel model and muse to Karl Lagerfeld when he became the brand’s creative director in the 1980s. What did it mean to be part of this exciting reinvention? When I signed with them in 1983, Chanel wasn't especially desirable, which is almost unimaginable when you look at it today! I was 26 and thought it was a fun challenge to be the face of a brand — in the way that models were in the 1950s. As the Chanel ambassador, Karl sent me abroad to do public appearances. Today, that’s a necessity to ensure success, but back then, it was a real first. We also didn't see the effect of runway shows and press straight away. It’s not like social media today, where…

The design house is aptly named after Louis XV’s favorite mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, born Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson. A renowned doyenne of decorative arts, she was considered the era’s first interior decorator, famously applying her talents on the interiors of the Château de Versailles. Antoinette Poisson, the brand, came to life in 2012, when three paper conservators — Julie Stordiau, Jean-Baptiste Martin and Vincent Farelly — discovered their first domino paper during a restoration in Auvergne. Before wallpaper could be produced in continuous rolls, singular sheets called domino papers, or “dominos,” were printed and then hand-painted with ornate patterns. Considered one of the first wallpapers ever invented, a domino can be distinguished by its unusual size (42 x 32 cm) and unique motifs. The process of creating these papers would…

While her previous jobs were always in the interior design domain, running her own brocante was the ultimate dream. This came true ten years ago, when Christine bought her home in the medieval town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in southwest France. It was during its restoration that Christine realized that the property was large enough to include a shop on the ground and first floors. Once the renovation was complete, she opened the rooms housing her collection to the public. From the street, a painted iron sign reading “Entre Cour et Jardin” signals you to turn into a small garden courtyard — an oasis filled with plants and stone statues — before reaching the front door. The building offers a unique shopping experience for antiques fans. Formerly a merchant’s house, its wonderful…

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 viewing modes, interactive live links for online shopping and a personal library of back…

One of the oldest castles in the Loire, Château du Lude withstood the carnage of the Hundred Years’ War and was gradually redesigned over the centuries by its successive owners. Today, it embodies centuries of architectural styles, culminating in an imposing form softened by its pale beige stones, typical of the area. The grounds cover 18 acres and enjoy a layered effect thanks to the use of vast terraces built on top of and around some of the castle’s old fortifications. The gardens within are bordered by ancient stone walls and filled with beautiful features, such as water bassins, rosariums and sculpted boxwood. The entire garden is run efficiently and consciously, with many initiatives deployed over the years to improve sustainability; for example, a number of beehives are maintained on…

Sharon and Paul are a great match, both in business and in life. A design team since the 1980s, Paul with his architectural practice and Sharon with her business specializing in 18th and 19th-century textiles and furnishings, they opened their celebrated antiques store, Marston House, in Vinalhaven, Maine. For the last 30 years, they have split their time between running the shop in the spring and sourcing items for it in Bonnieux — a picturesque 12th-century village in the Luberon, Provence — during the winter. The pair’s love affair with France began in 1983, when they connected with the artist Niki de Saint Phalle on a trip to Paris. Niki encouraged them to rent a car, travel to the South of France and explore the Luberon. They did just this…

Île-de-France Foire de Chatou Twice a year, the Île des Impressionnistes — accessible by metro or 10 minutes from Paris by car — welcomes some 35,000 visitors for the Foire de Chatou. One of the most important and celebrated antiques fairs in the world, 700 dealers with an impressive range of specialties gather to exhibit over 12 days, creating a nearly 10-acre stretch of treasures to be unearthed. It also offers the chance to refuel with gastronomic delights from local farmers; think Corsican sausages, oysters from Brittany, cheese from Savoy and more. This year marks the famous fair’s 101st edition. www.foiredechatou.com | Spring & fall Foire Saint-Sulpice Once a year over a 2-week period, Place Saint-Sulpice — the stunning square in front of the Église Saint-Sulpice in Paris’ 6th arrondissement —…

Porcini & Truffle Velouté SERVES 6 Preparation time: 25 min Cooking time: 1 hr 15 min • 1 pint mushroom stock (see recipe)• 7 cups (500 g) porcini mushrooms• 2 shallots, peeled & diced• 1 glass of white wine• 1 ¼ cup (30 cl) liquid fresh whole cream• 1 ½ tbsp (20 g) butter• Olive oil• Salt & pepper• Truffle shavings Make the mushroom stock (see recipe). Clean and finely slice the porcini mushrooms (set aside 6 small ones to decorate the plates). Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot and sauté the shallots. Add the porcini, cooking them until golden Cover with the white wine. Once it has evaporated, add the leftover stock. Leave to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, mix everything together…

With its honey-colored stone and stunning views over the surrounding vineyards, Château de Garde immediately enchanted Dimitri and Céline, a couple on the hunt for their next project. Set in the charming wine village of Moulon, Château de Garde is built from limestone mined from the quarries of the neighboring Saint-Émillion and overlooks a magnificent park decorated with classical sculptures and hundred-yearold cedars. Neither too large or small, the perfectly sized house was in liveable state when they found it, but the interiors did not align with their tastes. An expert of renovations, Dimitri was happy to take this endeavor into his own hands. From updating the home’s original features to sourcing elements for its interiors, he led the project’s improvements from beginning to end. This château marks their fifth…

La Villa du Temps Retrouvé 15 avenue du Président Raymond Poincaré, 14390 Cabourg www.villadutempsretrouve.com This museum is a genuine passage through time to the Cabourg of the early 1900s. Themed around Marcel Proust’s book, À la recherche du temps perdu (the featured town of Balbec was based on Cabourg!), it’s an ode to both the Belle Époque and Normandy. An amazing place to soak up some culture. Rosalie Market Concept Store Rue de la Libération, 14055 Beaumont-en-Auge @rosalie_market Jenna Libbrecht has done a great job of creating something truly unique. Jewelry, clothing, decorative objects, an épicerie, a space for yoga classes… not too shabby for one store! Whenever I need to buy a present or simply want to be inspired, this is where I go. Hoalen Ocean Store 1 boulevard…

Roasted Pumpkin with Feta & Pistachios SERVES 4 Preparation time: 10 min Cooking time: 30 min • 1 pumpkin (around 1 kilo/2 lbs)• 3 garlic cloves• 3 tbsp olive oil• ¾ cup (100 g) pistachios, crushed• 1 ¼ cups (300 g) feta, cubed• 2 tbsp Provençal herbs• A few bay leaves• Salt & pepper Wash the pumpkin, removing any parts where it is tough or bruised (but leave the skin on). Cut into eighths and deseed. Peel the garlic cloves and cut them in half. Place the pumpkin slices on an oiled oven tray, along with the garlic, crushed pistachios and a few bay leaves. Season generously and sprinkle on the herbs. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes, adding in the feta for the last 5 minutes. Pumpkin Cannelés…

Edoardo was raised in Tuscany, where his grandmother grew roses and irises in the garden of her beautiful home on the hilltops of Florence. He loved to spend his weekends learning by her side, as the pair coaxed plants to grow from the stony Florentine soil. A deep-rooted love began there, but it was not until he came to live in an orangery near Paris that he truly honed his horticulture skills. When Edoardo and his partner first moved into the 17th-century building in 2013, it was in dire need of renovation. Previous work had been poorly executed, and the overgrown grounds were abandoned. Years of neglect had left a jungle of tall grasses and leggy roses that needed to be cleared before Edoardo could visualize his future garden, which…

* What’s new? 100BON 100Bon prefers you “to breathe, not smell.” Offering rechargeable, recyclable home fragrances, cleaning solutions and perfumes, this 100% made-in-France brand is as sustainable as it is sensational. Its offerings — which range from diffusers to soaps to room sprays — are crafted with clean active ingredients and essential oils beneficial for both the body and mind. www.100bon.com WATER & WINES PUZZLES Not your ordinary puzzle. Elevate game night with Water & Wines, who worked with top sommeliers to make beautiful, hand-illustrated jigsaw puzzles that take you on an educational journey through the world of wine by region. Have fun while learning about grape profiles, tasting, aromas, suggested food pairings and more. www.waterandwines.com HERBARIUM PERSONALIZATION Herbarium has reinvented the traditional savoir-faire of botanical art. Its “herbariums” are…