Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2023 i My French Country Home

Dear Readers, The days are getting longer and the breezes warmer as winter gradually gives way to spring. Welcome to our March/April 2023 edition! Of course the more clement weather tempts us outdoors, and this issue brims with inspiration for those readying their gardens for the coming months. Join us for a meander through the magical Jardins de la Chaubaude — a Tuscan-themed oasis tucked away in the heart of Provence. And, with the help of our friend and floral artist — and now author — Sandra Sigman, we also showcase the vibrant and versatile tulip, one of our favorite springtime blooms. Our “Discovering Guide” takes us off the well-beaten path of the French Riviera to the charming yet still largely undiscovered Languedoc coast. We introduce you to the town…

Éloge de la Beauté by Eric Sander Photographer Eric Sander, has released his second in a series of limited edition art books: Éloge de la Beauté 02 - la mer (Praise of Beauty 02 - the sea). This magnificent collection of photos was captured on Ile de Ré, Saint-Malo, Cotentin and Corsica. The numbered series consists of only 200 copies and comes in a personalized box. Chocoholics Anonymous The French take their Easter confections very seriously. Check out the whimsical seafood-themed sweets fritures or cloches (bells) to ring in the end of Lent. Or how about a decadent oeuf à la coque gourmand — a rich chocolate mousse encased in a real eggshell. Find the best selection at La Mère de Famille in the 9th arrondissement. www.lameredefamille.com Salon du Livre…

The true origin of the poisson d’avril (April fish) has been lost to time, but it remains a beloved tradition and is one of France’s most widely celebrated non-denominational holidays. Like their counterparts in much of the world, the French relish April 1st as a day when licence is given for a few good-natured gags and practical jokes — a moment to laugh and be reminded that life needn’t always be taken too seriously. One popular theory has it that April Fool’s Day was actually invented by the French, in 1564. That was the year that King Charles IX reformed the French calendar by moving the start of the year to January 1st instead of Easter Sunday. But because there was no reliable way to widely communicate this back in…

Provence, with its sprawling valleys of cherry orchards, expanses of lavender and weaving vineyards is a place where many come, not to stand out, but to seamlessly blend in amongst the tranquility of the old stone farmhouses, called mas, that are scattered across the landscape. This 17th century home in the Luberon, is just such a building, and for Anna Covelli, a textile artisan, and her husband Stefano, it was love at first sight — although the property required a substantial amount of work before it could be habitable. The couple thus embarked on a three year renovation project, turning what was originally a collection of stables and barns used by local farmers into a beautiful home where they have now been living for the past four years. Taking inspiration…

Tucked away amid the Loire Valley’s pleasant fields and sober architecture are some rather unusual gardens. Le Jardin du Plessis Sasnières, the work of Rosamée Henrion, is an English-style garden that spans eleven hectares, situated on a plateau overlooking — and spreading into — the valley below. However, when Rosamée, a horticultural enthusiast, inherited the property in 1960, the house and gardens — which can now be considered a veritable paradise — were in need of much repair. To accommodate her family, including four young boys, it was necessary to restore the buildings and revive the surrounding landscape. The original property on the land dated back to the 15th & 16th centuries, but all buildings from this time are now long gone. Instead, the current site is made up of…

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The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris | Daisy Wood - Avon Two timelines of love and loss in Paris are seamlessly woven together in this emotional novel by Daisy Wood, an exciting new author of historical fiction. Wood transports us back to the height of WWII in 1940s Paris where bookshop owner Jacques must make a sacrifice to save a life. Fast-forward to modern day, Juliette is seeking a new adventure when she travels to France and happens upon an abandoned shop for sale, soon discovering that the walls have many hidden layers to reveal. The French Royal Wardrobe: The Hôtel de la Marine Restored Jérôme Hanover and Gabriel Bauret - Rizzoli Constructed by the official architect to King Louis XV, the Hôtel de la Marine is a Parisian institution in…

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…

Recently I’ve been thinking about wellbeing and happiness, that sense of deep, sustaining contentment that makes us feel hopeful, even when life is difficult. After decades of living in France, I’ve found that the French understand the many simple ingredients that make for a life well lived. It’s part of what they appropriately define as l’art de vivre. Its meaning is more nuanced and far more interesting than its literal “art of living” translation. A French proverb explains it best: “La vie est faite de petits bonheurs.” Life is made of small pleasures. At the same time it’s incumbent upon us to slow down and recognize those small pleasures. In many ways I believe the French know how to make time to enjoy the pleasant moments that provide respite from…

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 Franck Schmitt is an author, photographer and journalist. He created and photographed the Wild Garlic recipes for this edition. www.franckschmitt.fr @franckschmitt.fr Eric Martin is a photojournalist noted for his work in Le Figaro Magazine. Our latest “Discovering Guide” exploring the Narbonne and the Languedoc region is seen through his talented lens. www.ericmartin.smugmug.com @photoericmartin Julie Limont is a French photographer with a passion for artisan craftsmanship. Here photographs accompany our conversation with textile artist Dorothée Catry.  www.julielimont.com @julielimont We are delighted to have the following talented writers and photographers contribute to this issue. Joanna Maclennan is a professional photographer with over 15…

With the spring comes a wider selection of flora to choose from. In March and April, camelias, tulips, primroses, peonies, hellebore and hyacinth abound, and if there is one thing we know about the French, it is that shopping what’s in season is the only way to ensure that you’re getting the very best. Having lived in France as a young woman, Sandra Sigman discovered the world of French floristry almost by accident. In her native USA, Sandra had only ever encountered bouquets of the pre-made commercial variety. But in Paris, her eyes and her imagination were captivated by all the wondrous florists the city had to offer, where choice arrangements were made up stem by stem before the eyes of discerning customers. Sandra’s first sojourn in Paris was only…

Hard at work in her sunlit studio, Dorothée Catry sits deep in concentration, transforming blushing strips of silk and fine wire into blossoms that are breathtakingly lifelike. Were it not for the floor-to-ceiling cupboards bursting with ancient hardware, one might think they had entered some kind of enchanted greenhouse. “Every day I plant a new garden, with different possibilities of color,” Dorothée muses. As a young woman, Dorothée fancied herself a painter. But on the advice of a family friend, she enrolled instead in a silk screen printing program at La Cambre, a renowned Belgian art school. It was there that she learned how to divine an infinite rainbow of hues from a palette of just four basic colors: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. She also immersed herself in the…

SPECIALITY: Chafarcani Textiles LOCATION: Luberon CONTACT: Email: monique.alphand@sfr.fr IG account: @ctc_alphand OPENING TIMES: Visits by appointment only The origin of chafarcani can be as tricky to place as its trademark red color. The dye, which is derived from madder root, must be made using a very specific procedure that involves boiling water and a waxy base material. It is then printed onto fabric using carved wooden blocks, creating the signature red-on-white print. This application has been known in India since the second millennium BC, but eluded Europeans until the middle of the 18th century. Yet even more fascinating than this material’s history is that its ease-of-use and affordability — which made it one of the most widespread and democratic textiles of its kind — never altered the quality of its intricate…

Wild Garlic Pesto Preparation time: 10 min Serves 4 • A large handful (50 g) wild garlic greens• Scant ½ cup (10 cl) olive oil• Scant ¼ cup (30 g) pine nuts or hazelnuts• Salt and pepper Wash the garlic greens and place them in a blender along with the olive oil and nuts. Season to taste and blend well. Feel free to add more olive oil if the paste is too dry. You can use this with pasta, or as a sauce for meat or fish. It keeps well in the freezer, ideally in an ice tray. Roasted asparagus with wild garlic Preparation time: 15 min Cooking time: 10 to 15 min Serves 4 • 16 green or white asparagus spears• Handful of wild garlic cloves• Salt and pepper•…

From Charcuterie: Pâtés, Terrines, Savory Pies by The Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts. Pork Liver Pâté Preparation time: 1 hour Marinating time: 24 hours Infusing time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours and 15 minutes Chilling time: 2 hours Storage: 10 days in the refrigerator Serves 12 Equipment: • Meat grinder + plate with 1/8 inch (3 mm) holes• Instant-read thermometer• Food processor• Terrine mold in the shape of your choice, with a capacity of approximately 5 cups (1.2 liters) Ingredients: • 14 oz. (400 g) pig’s liver• 1 ½ tbsp (22 g) fine salt• 1 ¾ tsp (4 g) ground white pepper• 1 ½ packed tsp (6.5 g) muscovado sugar• 3/4 tsp (2 g) smoked paprika• Scant ½ tsp (1 g) quatre-épices (four-spice) mix• Scant ½ tsp (1 g) ground nutmeg•…