Innholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2023 i My French Country Home

Dear Readers, As the vibrant colors of summer slowly fade into the muted embrace of fall, we find ourselves captivated by the sensorial beauty of this enchanting season. This September/October edition takes you through a feast of sights, scents and tastes. Our selection of gardens range from misty and moody to pleasantly dabbled, and our autumnal bouquet, bathed in golden sunlight and shot at the beautiful Château de Chenonceau, simply stuns…. In this issue, we invite you to share in some especially warm and rustic interiors. Step inside a renovated mill in Agen, where a roaring fire, rich textiles and glinting antique brass fixtures draw the eye. Or feel the drama of these gradually darkening months in our escape to a stunningly redesigned tannery in Lectoure. We have specially curated…

* What’s new? Opening of Maison Gainsbourg Immerse yourself into the life and career of legendary French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg at the brand new Maison Gainsbourg, opening September 20th. Located at 14 rue de Verneuil in Paris — next to the artist’s historic home, open for tours — the museum takes visitors through a chronological journey of his life. www.maisongainsbourg.fr/en Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre Celebrating the culmination of the wine harvest in France, the Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre is going big for its 90th year. From October 11th to 15th, enjoy a host of free events and activities in the historic neighborhood where the only vineyard in all of Paris is situated. https://fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com Journées Européennes du Patrimoine On September 16th & 17th, everyone in Europe enjoys exceptional openings…

Céline Chollet remembers a painting she made as a schoolgirl of her family’s house in Lorraine, near the French border with Germany. It was one of her earliest attempts at depicting a building, and she remembers how important it was to get it just right: “At the beginning, I always sketched out the outline of the house before filling in the details — the shape and contours of the windows and doors, the texture of the bricks and the roof tiles,” she says. “Next, I added bits of the garden and the surrounding vegetation.” She became so engrossed that she hardly noticed the hours pass. The end result, she recalls, filled her with pride. “I still have it,” she says of the portrait. Céline grew up in an exceptionally creative…

My first morning awakening in Provence, I opened the shuttered windows at sunrise and looked out on the valley below to a swath of color. Rows of purple lavender, stalks of tall yellow sunflowers, bursting red cherry trees, and vines dripping in dark burgundy grapes. Provence was alive with blossoming color and my camera became a tool for studying nature, harmony, and the balance of seasons. From that fateful first morning view that captured my imagination, I have spent the past seven years photographing this region in the South of France. Provence as muse and flowers as subject matter. This book is very personal. A mix of landscapes, still lifes from my provencal studio, villagescapes, and portraiture all around the eternal blossom we call Provence.…

Carrot Salad With Cumin Serves 6 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Ingredients • 6 carrots • 2 red onions • 1 cup (100 g) sultanas • 1.5 tbsp (10 cl) oil • 4 cups (1 liter) water • 2 tbsp wine vinegar • 2 tsp ground cumin • Pinch of salt To serve • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds • 2 tbsp chopped chives • 1 tbsp chopped parsley • Salt and freshly ground pepper • Nasturtium flowers from the garden (optional) Peel the carrots and onions and slice them. Place the sliced vegetables in a saucepan, then add the sultanas, oil, water, vinegar and cumin powder. Add salt and bring to the boil. Cook over a medium heat for 30 minutes. Drain and pour the mixture into…

Laurent, a gallery owner, and his partner, a travel guide publisher, acquired this modest house more than a decade ago, from the wife of a local fisherman. Their idea was to make it into a refuge from their busy lives in Paris that, while preserving the spirit of Normandy, would also reflect their bold personal aesthetic. “We needed to find a balance between the initial rustic character of the house and our own universe,” says Laurent. The pair were more than up for the challenge — and the result is breathtaking. Passing through the first of two entrances — originally built for the two fishing families who lived there — is like being transported into the imagination of Virginia Woolf, or perhaps into the home of an intrepid explorer. Tribal…

Tish Jett is an author, journalist and 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 photographed the Jardin de Chaligny in the Vendée in this edition. www.franckschmitt.fr @franckschmitt.fr Eric Martin is a photojournalist noted for his work in Le Figaro Magazine. Our latest “Discovering Guide” spotlighting Cognac is seen through his talented lens. www.ericmartin.smugmug.com @photoericmartin Gaëlle Le Boulicaut is a professional photographer who specializes in interiors and travel. Her work has featured in ELLE Décor magazine, Madame Figaro and Departures. www.gaelleleboulicaut.com @gaelleleboulicautpics Corinne Schanté-Angelé is a photographer and journalist based in the Paris region, specializing in interior design. Her photos grace our profile of the saddle-maker Mathilde Costeux. www.corinneschanteangele.com…

Set against an idyllic woodland, the Château de Chenonceau stands as a piece of architectural beauty. Inspired by the opulence of Venetian palaces, the château dates back to the early 16th century. Commissioned by Thomas Bohier, a wealthy financier, but it was his wife, Katherine Briçonnet, who laid the foundations of this architectural gem. Over the centuries, the château hosted a remarkable succession of powerful women with immense influence, including Katherine Briçonnet, Diane de Poitiers, queens Catherine de Médicis and Louise de Lorraine, Louise Dupin and Marguerite Pelouze, all of whom left their mark on the estate, expanding and enhancing its beauty and grandeur. The delicate and immaculately white façades, airy arches and the sensual curves of its turrets are all said to reveal the influence of the Dames who…

Today, Camille is just starting out on her professional career, but cooking remains her passion. Not long ago, she started an Instagram account to share her recipes, and her entertaining videos quickly acquired a large and international fanbase. Here for you to enjoy are five autumnal recipes created and photographed by Camille that are easy to prepare and guaranteed to please. Cream of Cauliflower Soup with Caramelized Lemon, Dates & Walnuts Serves 6 • 1 small cauliflower, cut into florets• 1 leek, sliced• 2 potatoes, cubed• 1 onion, thinly sliced• 4⁄5 cup (20 cl) whipping cream• 1 lemon• Light stock Make the soup by stir-frying the onion, potatoes, leek and cauliflower. Season with salt and pepper. Add sufficient stock of your choice to cover the vegetables, and simmer for 30 minutes.…

Nestled in a stunning 1,000-hectare park, the Haras National du Pin is a unique site, a symbol of French excellence in equestrian breeding dating back to the early 18th century. It was King Louis XIV who initiated the institution of haras (stud farms) in France, for the purpose of improving the quality of the horses used in battle — and Le Pin, built in 1715, was among the first he founded. The site, nicknamed the “Versailles of the Horse,” is open to the public and hosts numerous equestrian events, including competitions, shows and cultural activities. Last December, Mathilde, a graduate of the saddlery training program at the prestigious riding school, the Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Équitation, took up residence in the farm’s saddlery workshop, which had not been…

On past retreats to the abbey, Laurence had always been aware of the elusive presence of the nuns, catching glimpses as they disappeared around the winding paths of the medieval village of Mont-Saint-Michel. But on this visit, she felt particularly captivated by their humility and simplicity. The sisters returned her fascination with warmth and gracious hospitality, welcoming her to their table, where each took turns preparing meals with love and meticulous care. Soon, Laurence was invited to join in the preparation of the communal meals — and her bond with the nuns deepened. Over one particularly delicious dinner, Laurence quietly asked if the sisters might share the recipe with her. Describing her work and life as a stylist in Paris, she could see their eyes light up with excitement: For…

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Les Foudres www.chaismonnethotel.com/savourer/les-foudres 45 Rue d'Angoulême, 16100 Cognac, France In the heart of the stunning Hôtel Chais Monnet — classified as a French Industrial Heritage site — the gastronomic restaurant Les Foudres delights guests as they enter its cathedral-like chai (“cellar” in the local Charentais dialect), passing underneath hundred-year-old oak barrels to arrive at their Michelin-star meal. With local, creative, fresh and gourmet cuisine, each of the chef’s dishes is a journey to new horizons. La Ribaudière laribaudiere.com 15 Rue Saint-Gilles, 16100 Saint-Brice, France Since 1997, La Ribaudière has been committed to reinventing, season after season, all the rich flavors of the region’s exceptional terroir. Thierry Verrat, head chef since the creation of the restaurant, now runs it alongside his son Julien, who holds a Michelin star. Their familial teamwork…

Lourmarin’s allure as a summer sanctuary draws a steady stream of curious tourists to its idyllic embrace — and Nathalie and Jean-Bernard’s antique’s store often becomes an unexpected treasure trove stumbled upon by chance. As sunlight dances on the cobblestones and vibrant chatter fills the air, passersby are irresistibly drawn into their artistic haven. Friday mornings are especially bustling, as the weekly market ignites the village’s vivacious spirit, welcoming fresh souls eager to discover the charm held within the shop’s walls. From the first glimpse of the exquisite storefront, it becomes abundantly clear that Nathalie and Jean-Bernard are more than just antique dealers: they are visionaries with a passion for preserving the past and a keen eye for weaving it seamlessly into the present. "Everyone has to construct their own…

The Postcard by Anne Berest | Europa Editions In this work of semi-autobiographical, semi-historical fiction, Anne Berest delivers an enticing tale that begins with the receipt of an unsigned postcard with an image of the Opéra Garnier. Anne, a Paris-based writer, is determined to discover who sent her the card — which lists only the names of four of her relatives who died in Auschwitz — and why. Revealing the lives behind the murdered family members, The Postcard serves as both a mystery and a modern-day thriller wrapped up in a bygone era that renders the horrors of the Holocaust eerily fresh. Berthe Morisot: Shaping Impressionism by Dulwich Picture Gallery and Musée Marmottan Monet | Dulwich Picture Gallery Accompanying the British exhibition of the same name, Berthe Morisot: Shaping Impressionism…

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In France, as you may know, there is a word for the moment when we transition from the summer holidays to the return to work, school, and daily routines: la rentrée. The rentrée is not solely the time to mark children’s back-to-school preparations. No, the "re-entry" has evolved into a far more interesting, and much more fun time than the debut of the academic year; it’s an all-inclusive cultural concept shared by every generation. Still, we like our classes. As my friends’ children and grandchildren head back to school, they are signing-up to their yoga and Pilates courses. One is adding a twice monthly shiatsu massage to her weekly yoga routine. September is a time for renewal. Certainly, there are scores of definitions for “renewal” from, for example, the commitment…