Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2024 i My French Country Home

Dear Readers Welcome to our holiday edition, filled with inspiration for your end of year festivities! As the air cools and the French prepare their homes for celebrating the season with family and friends, we always look forward to sharing the magic of France during this time. Christmas 2024 in Paris promises to be quite special, as it coincides with the long-awaited re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral, more than five years after its devastating fire. Our Discovery Guide takes you to the heart of one of Paris’s oldest — and trendiest — neighborhoods: Le Marais. In addition to being one of our favorite shopping quarters, this area is bursting with fascinating museums and galleries, convivial restaurants and cozy hotels where you can immerse yourself in the unparalleled creativity and elegance…

Begin by selecting a combination of floral wrapping paper or wallpaper offcuts, paired with a complementary solid shade — such as pink or burgundy — for contrast. Place your gift at the center of the paper and wrap carefully, ensuring the edges are smooth and the folds crisp. For the ribbons, select chiffon or velvet in varied widths and in colors that enhance the overall palette of your holiday decorations. Pull the bow loops wide for a voluminous, dramatic effect, trimming the ends at a 45-degree angle for an elegant drape. For extra flair, layer a second ribbon on top, mixing textures and tones for a lavish finish. Finally, accessorize by slipping thin candles or sealing wax and sprigs of greenery beneath the ribbon. Let these elements spill gracefully over…

Marché des Enfants Rouges 9 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a long lunch soaking up the convivial atmosphere, Marché des Enfants Rouges is one of the best spots (and most culinarily diverse) in the neighborhood. Dating back to 1615, this celebrated covered market now hosts fresh produce sellers as well as a plethora of small sit-down food stalls where you can sample everything from Moroccan tagines and Japanese bento boxes, to the freshest French seafood and organic pastries. Les Philosophes www.rphunter.com/cafeine-reservations-3/ 28 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Come for the classic dishes and affordable wine, and stay to soak in the undeniable charm of this picture-perfect 1930s French bistro. Always bustling — and just a touch chaotic — Les Philosophes is the ideal…

In the heart of Provence, where the Sorgue River rushes past ancient stone walls, and where waterwheels from a time long gone still churn with their moss-covered paddles, we found the place that was destined to become the starting point for our life in France. It wasn’t the quintessential Provencal home we had imagined — a quaint cottage with rustic charm and pastel shutters — but something far richer: a converted 17th -century charity house, or shelter, for the sick and the poor. Once the vision of Pierre Mignard, a renowned architect from Avignon, the house stands tall and prominent. Its stone exterior dating to the mid-1600s remains largely untouched, each stone perfectly placed between massive granite lintels. It instantly embraced us with an overwhelming sense of character and timelessness.…

Paris: A Short History By Jeremy Black | Thames & Hudson This concise history traces the tale of the French capital from the first human settlements on the banks of the Seine to the present and reflects on how each era shaped its unique cultural legacy. It depicts a city repeatedly ravaged by conflict and revolution, only to be revived and reinvented by the creativity, resilience and joie de vivre of its people — inspiring the rest of the world along the way. Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris 1900-1939 By Robyn Asleson | Yale University Press This beautifully illustrated collection of profile essays explores the varied paths of dozens of American women — including Josephine Baker, Zelda Fitzgerald, Peggy Guggenheim and Gertrude Stein — who embraced Paris as their…

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…

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 We are delighted to have the following talented writers and photographers contribute to this issue. Hervé Lenain specializes in travel, architecture, and gardens. His photos have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Gardens Illustrated and Figaro Magazine. He shot the evocative images of provincial French chapels and churches. www.hervelenain.photoshelter.com Jacky Hobbs is a journalist and photographer specializing in French lifestyle and horticulture. She wrote the text and took photos for our piece on the Châteu de Rivau. www.jackyhobbs.com @jacky.hobbs Joseph Marini is the author of Mastering the Art of Entertaining and has been featured in major publications including Martha Stewart Living, Victoria…

Mini Mushroom Pies Makes 4 mini pies Preparation time: 30 min Cooking time: 40 min Ingredients: • 2 ready-made pie crusts• Approximately 9 oz (250 g) button mushrooms• Approximately 2 oz (50 g) dried morel mushrooms• 1 small onion• 1 garlic clove• 1 tsp cumin seeds• 5.5 oz (150 ml) heavy cream• 1 tbsp olive oil• 1 egg yolk, for glazing• Salt and freshly ground black pepper• Flaky sea salt (fleur de sel) and sesame seeds (optional, for garnish) Instructions: Start by preparing the mushroom mixture. Soak the dried morel mushrooms in warm water for 1 hour. Cut the button mushrooms into quarters. Peel and chop the onion and garlic. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5…

1 Papier Peint 88A "Rayures provençales" 140 € antoinettepoisson.com 2 Sabre — Toile de Jouy Flatware $95 mfchboutique.com 3 Handmade Ornaments $69 mfchboutique.com 4 Balsam Hill Artificial Christmas Foliage $279 balsamhill.com 5 Cabbage Salt & Pepper Shaker $135 mfchboutique.com 6 Candle Duo Rose Poudré €15 maisonpechavy.fr 7 Bougie Coeur Rose Pale 35 € lesbougiesdefrederique.com 8 Antique Monogrammed Napkins $175 - $420 mfchboutique.com 9 La Rochère — Colored Bee Glass Tumblers $49 mfchboutique.com 10 Maison Pichon — Iconic Braided Basket With Stand $400 mfchboutique.com…

Breakfast at Carette @caretteofficiel 4 Place des Vosges, 75003 Take a break from the hotel breakfast and spend a morning savoring the view of the magnificent Place des Vosges from Carette. Founded in 1927, this classic café set against the backdrop of the historic square, offers a truly indulgent experience. Don’t miss their renowned chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) — its velvety texture pairs exquisitely with their freshly baked pastries, organic breads and creamy French butter. Explore the Secret Gardens If you need some respite from touring the city, step into one of the neighborhood’s secret gardens. Dotted throughout the area, each garden offers a unique setting for a peaceful break during your exploration of this historic district. Notable are the serene Jardin Anne Frank at 5 Rue des Rosiers, the…

In anticipation of his upcoming book featuring their Provençal home, Joseph has put together a delightful collection of hearty recipes to get us inspired for the upcoming winter festivities. We look forward to seeing these and more French-inspired recipes in his next publication! Corn Chowder Serves 12-15 Prep time: 20 min Total time: 2 hours Corn chowder is delicious served plain, but additions of Italian sausage, crab meat, or shrimp make it a meal all on its own. I have served this as a soup course as well as the main dish served with a chunk of toasted baguette and butter. Ingredients • 7 slices of bacon, cut into small pieces (optional)• 1 finely diced onion• 5 cloves garlic, minced• 1 tbsp curry powder• ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes• 5…

Sandrine has the eye for staging their showroom, or their stand at the local fairs, while Didier is very practically minded, with a keen ability to fix anything and immediately see the potential in a piece of furniture or repurposed product. She is from Avignon, he is from Brittany — the opposite ends of France. But they are united by their love of brocante and their natural curiosity about the history behind the objects they are drawn to. They were both raised in families where it was normal to buy and live with antique furniture. Nothing fancy, but simple pieces of furniture that told the story of past lives. Sandrine worked for 20 years in insurance, but she wanted to find a more creative pastime, and enrolled in a woodworking…

Every year, two weeks before I leave for Chicago in mid-December, I begin to put myself in a festive holiday mood by decorating my home, inside and out. I visit my florist who sets aside three of her blue-and-red-berry-festooned wreaths — one for my dining table in which I place a fat green candle and two for the front door — and six pinky-coral poinsettia plants that I slide into various silver cache pots I’ve collected over the years from brocantes and gifts from my husband. Then I set out two Diptyque Sapin candles. (I want the perfume of pine wafting through the house because I don’t have an arbre de Noël on this side of the Atlantic.) Since almost all of our Christmas trees are planted in the garden,…

BHV Marais www.bhv.fr 52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Founded in 1856, BHV (“Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville”) is an iconic department store that has been a cornerstone of Parisian retail for over a century. It boasts a vast array of fashion, beauty, home décor and gourmet food, making it a chic one-stop-shop for all your needs. Unlike other Parisian department stores, this flagship features a top floor dedicated to home DIY as well as a comprehensive hardware store in the basement, making for a more eclectic and practical shopping experience. Additionally, the rooftop café offers stunning views of the Hôtel de Ville and the Seine. Les Archives Neighborhood Rue des Francs Bourgeois The narrow, cobblestone back-streets of the Archives neighborhood — stretching from the Picasso Museum to Place des Vosges…

HER HIM KIDS HOME FURRY FRIENDS…

Beneath ribbons of drying parchment that drape from the soaring rafters, alongside colleagues meticulously mixing pigments or preparing intricately carved blocks for inking, François-Xavier Richard presides over his small team like a concertmaster interpreting a classical score. Tucked within a quiet courtyard in the Renaissance hub of Tours, a half-dozen artisans are deep in concentration, their brushes, chisels and presses tapping out a soft and steady rhythm as an intricate floral motif slowly takes shape. “We have created a process that is very harmonious,” François-Xavier says. “This is not the kind of savoir-faire where everyone is working alone in their corner. There are many steps that require four, or sometimes six hands.” Originally a painter and sculptor from Lille, François-Xavier says he became fascinated with engraving and printing while studying…

“Fire has awakened all our senses since the dawn of time” The wood trade is certainly an unusual starting point for a home décor brand. Could you tell us about the history of the business? Our family business has its roots in the Dordogne, at the end of the 19th century, where Louis Pechavy was a forester and employed 50 people. His wife, Noémie, ran a restaurant in the village of Perigueux. It was their 16-year-old son, Fernand, who started the firewood trading business, bringing the fuel into the town of Agen, in the Lot-et-Garonne — first by donkey cart and eventually by train. The Agen wood trading company was thus created in 1919. You didn’t exactly set out to join the timber business. How did that come about? I…