Innholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2022 i My French Country Home

Dear Readers, La rentrée is upon us! Memories of my children starting a new school year, clearing out the house, the changing landscape outdoors — I’ve always had an affection for this season. A sense of renewal runs throughout our new fall issue, as we look to creatives who have added fresh touches to their homes & gardens. In autumn, mon jardin transforms, with gold and brown leaves contrasting with the jewel tones of my dahlias. Lovers of these pom-pom-shaped flowers will find plenty of inspiration in our featured gardens this issue: the home of former model turned landscaper Suzanne Meijer and a legendary haven in Vendée created by the composer, William Christie. Humbling creativity and skill! Indoors, we tour three different buildings that succeeded in retaining their original charm,…

Jacqueline in Paris: A Novel Ann Mah - Mariner Books From the bestselling author of The Lost Vintage comes a new tale of love, betrayal and coming-of-age in postwar Paris. An intimate portrait of 20-year-old Jacqueline Bouvier’s college year abroad in France — before the world knew her as America’s First Lady Jackie. Out September 27, 2022. France: An Adventure History Graham Robb - W. W. Norton & Company An endlessly entertaining journey through France’s past by the author of the NYT’s bestseller, Parisians. From the conquerings of Caesar to wars fought on the plains of Provence to Paris during the Revolution, Graham Robb spins a witty and factual story of French history mixed in with his own adventures living there. Parisian By Design David Jimenez & Diane Dorrans Saeks…

The 19th century gave birth to many production sites across France, but it was Englishman Thomas Hall who bought the Minimes convent in Gien, in 1821, transforming it into the factory that would become Europe’s largest earthenware manufacturer — the Faïencerie de Gien. This particular site was an attractive choice for the business: located at an important commercial crossroads, the city was full of raw materials, and the proximity of the Loire River meant that wood could easily be transported from the forests of Orleans to fire the kilns. During its first 30 years, Gien produced mostly plain, octagonal, white earthenware before moving on to more creative and decorative pieces inspired by different cities and time periods, like the Renaissance and Ottoman Empire. Gien also became popular for its proposal…

I am from a small town in Massachusetts — a Dedham boy — who, at 22 years old, was exceptionally tall (at that time, probably one of the two tallest men in Paris, Général de Gaulle being the other), ridiculously thin, quietly adventurous and discreetly proud. Paris was quite a transition for this rural lad, but for me, an easy one. I would settle in smoothly in the city of my dreamsand settle in without pause for thought. On the train from Chaumont (where I was stationed with the U.S. Air Force in 1961) to Paris, I shared a cozy second-class compartment with three French ladies, all of a certain age, dressed in proper hats, gloves and the tailored serge suits of the day. It wasn’t long until we were…

24 French gifts for you to open & enjoy every day of December. As an MFCH Magazine subscriber, you are the first to know about this limited-edition collection! Unpack the 24 days of Noël with MFCH Box & Boutique! For this holiday season, we’ve curated a selection of beautiful French gifts — each hand-wrapped and labeled — for you & your home. This box is limited-edition, so be sure to reserve yours soon (available in the MFCH Boutique starting September 1, shipping will begin November 1). wwww.myfrenchcountryhomebox.com/product/24-days-of-noel…

* Business Woman “A company can only achieve greatness if it’s striving to do better every single day” President, Café Caron: Anne Caron You were named France’s Best Coffee Roaster 2017 — tell us about your career so far? I was a bit of a science nerd growing up, so naturally I studied biology — specifically plant biology. From there I went into research, but it felt really repetitive. I ended up changing to business and entrepreneurship and went on to set up my own consulting firm specializing in company quality and organization. It was during this time that the opportunity to take over my parents' coffee company came up. My father trained me, and although I learned on the job, a lot of my business background made me a good…

When I was a little girl, living in a small town outside Niagara Falls, the highlight of the year was our three-day trip to New York City for my back-to-school shopping. My mother, father and I stayed at the St. Regis Hotel, attended a child-appropriate Broadway musical and spent hours at the Central Park Zoo before having lunch at Rumpelmayer’s. These were among the happiest memories of my childhood, and I have always felt it’s why September is my favorite month of the year. But it wasn’t until moving to France that I discovered that this seasonal sensation of adventure and opportunity is as much for adults as for children. There’s even an official name for the transition from summer vacations to our return to home and to work: la…

Tish Jett is an author, a journalist and a former editor at the International Herald Tribune and American ELLE. She pens our regular “Just Between Us” column. www.tishjett.com /@tishjett Yann Villaret is a self-proclaimed “humanistic photographer” who travels the world in search of stories to tell. He photographed this issue’s “Portfolio:” “Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.” www.yannvillaret.com /@yannvillaret Corinne Schanté-Angelé has over 20 years of experience creating interiors, travel and lifestyle features. She shows us Suzanne’s garden in the Seine-et-Marne region. www.corinneschanteangele.com @coulissesdateliers Franck Schmitt This issue, he shot our “Artisans of France” feature on the Faïencerie de Gien, as well as William Christie’s garden in Vendée. www.franckschmitt.fr /@franckschmitt.fr René Mattes has been a photographer for the last 20 years. His work has been featured in Le Routard, Lonely Planet and…

Built in 1727, this formerly abandoned country mansion spanning 6,500 square feet has surprisingly never been renovated, yet remains in a near perfect state. Despite living through the French Revolution and centuries of inhabitants and looters, it has maintained its original features — from its traditional “Mansarde” roof to its layout and interior details. Its current owner, Peter Gabrielse, studied art and started his career working as a set designer for theater and television. Today, he creates unique box sculptures from interesting materials that detail miniature, lifelike scenes — peeks into tiny, three-dimensional worlds. When Peter decided to move abroad from his his home in the Netherlands and begin his search for a small château or country house, France was his first choice. “I was used to traveling to France…

Parisian Onion Soup Serves 4 Preparation time: 15 min Cooking time: 35 min • 1 lb 10 oz (750 g) yellow onions• 3 tbsp butter• 2 tbsp flour• ½ cup (125 ml) dry white wine• 6 cups (1 ½ liters) beef stock• 1 bay leaf• 1 tbsp thyme leaves• 8-12 slices of baguette• 5 ounces (150 g) strong gruyère or other Alpine cheese• Sea salt• Cayenne pepper• Freshly grated nutmeg Peel the onions and cut into thin rings. Heat the butter in a large saucepan. Over a low heat, slowly sweat the onions for about 15 minutes, until they are golden brown and soft, stirring occasionally. Dust the onions with the flour and stir in. Deglaze with the white wine. Add the stock, bay leaf and thyme. Bring the soup…

Spring brings us meadow flowers, young buds and billowing cow parsley, while summer gives forth perfumed roses, daisies and the foliage of fruit trees. The year comes to a close with winter’s textured branches, along with bright red holly berries. For the fall forager, there is also lots on offer, but in a very different color palette. In this season, when nature is slowing down and preparing for hibernation, many of the more interesting plants will already be dried. Tall ferns shed their bright green hue, transforming into a wonderful mix of gold, beige and rust. Brightly colored blooms are scarce, but the dazzling shades of autumn leaves provide the perfect substitute. Tiny silver birch leaves turn bright yellow and beech, a vibrant orange. Oaks take on an entirely new…

From the road, you can just about make out the gamekeeper’s house at the Château de Bourron-Marlotte. Nestled in the heart of a park filled with free-roaming deer, this is where Suzanne Meijer has honed her green-thumbed talent to experiment with shape, color and the region’s hardy plants. “People don't have time to devote whole days to their gardens anymore; I opted for plants that are easy to care for and bloom for most of the year.” In the beginning, there was nothing more than a few poorly chestnut trees and a tired lawn. The front of the house — where the current vegetable garden is framed by perennials and grasses — was a wasteland of brambles and nettles. Suzanne got out her trimmer and attacked the area, foot by…

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake Serves 12 For the cake: • 1 cup (2 sticks/225 g) unsalted butter (room temperature), plus extra for greasing• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting• 2 tsp (8 g) baking powder• ½ tsp fine sea salt• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar• 5 large eggs• 8 ounces (225 g) crème fraîche• 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure vanilla extract• ¼ cup (55 g) firmly packed dark brown sugar• 2 tbsp (12 g) ground cinnamon• 2 tbsp (30 ml) whole milk For the maple glaze: • 1 cup (125 g) powdered sugar, plus extra as needed• ¼ cup (60 ml) real maple syrup, plus extra as needed• ½ tsp pure vanilla extract Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10 to…

Burgundy is renowned for its elaborate architecture, ancient history, gastronomic reputation and — with its long stretches of rolling vineyards — for being one of the principal wine-making areas of France. Every year, foodies, oenophiles and culture-seekers from far and wide flock to get a taste of the region’s myriad riches. And not to be missed on any tour of Burgundy is Dijon: the district’s capital. This may conjure up an image of a jar of mustard, which wouldn’t be wrong — the city rose to fame when it introduced the world to la moutarde de Dijon back in 1856. And today, Dijon has much more to offer than beloved condiments. Itsbustling gourmand scene includes many excellent restaurants, award-winning food & wine tours, festivals & international fairs dedicated to the…

* What’s new? Les Causeuses Conviviality meets refinement. Paris-based interior designer Tiphaine Verdier excels in her use of bold colors to create warm, joyful universes. She is especially known for her romantic, patterned fabrics, which she uses to build the coveted custom furniture and accessories she sells out of her e-shop. www.lescauseuses.fr Les Caves de Taillevent Les Caves de Taillevent offers private, tailor-made and themed wine tastings off the Champs-Élysées, in the heart of Paris. An impressive collection of over 2,000 references kept inside a designer space wholly dedicated to the art of vin. www.lescavesdetaillevent.com LVMH Opens Its Doors After a 4-year hiatus, LVMH’s Journées Particulières are returning! From October 14-16, 57 Maisons across the world will open their doors to the public (free of charge) to unveil the secrets…

L'Isle-sur-la Sorgue lies east of Avignon, in the Vaucluse department of Provence. The picturesque town alone is worth a detour from Avignon’s famous bridge, summer’s haze of rolling, lavender-filled fields and the ritzy resorts on the Côte d'Azur. Appropriately dubbed the “Venice of Provence,” the enchanting L'Isle-sur-la Sorgue is ringed by waterways and crisscrossed by bridges, its myriad canals studded with majestic water wheels — ancient relics of the town’s 18th century successes in the silk, wool and paper industries. This inland “island” is a haven for art and antiques and beloved for its wealth of vintage shops and weekend markets, attracting hundreds of thousands of hopeful hunters each year. Its canal-side quays brim with cafés and restaurants, where tourists pour in for respite from the hustle and bustle of…

PRINT Delivered to your door, enjoy the magic of French living in a beautiful collector’s-quality magazine. US$79.95 for one year (6 issues)* US$14.95 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$39.99 for one year (6 issues) US$7.99 for one issue Enjoy easy reading with adaptable viewing modes, interactive live links for online shopping and a personal library of back…