Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2025 i My French Country Home

Dear Readers, At this time of year, there is a distinct pep in the air — and it finally seems the moment to embrace renewal, both within ourselves and our surroundings. It’s the season when I love to refresh my home, tend to the garden and map out plans for the summer ahead. Unlike the depths of January and February, which often leave us lingering in a state of hibernation, spring invites us to step into something new. The March/April 2025 edition of My French Country Home Magazine is brimming with inspiration to help you do just that. First, we visit an enchanting country home in the Périgord, lovingly revived by its designer’s sophisticated use of color. We invite you to discover the magnificent Château de la Treyne as well…

Most social historians seem to agree that it was King Louis XIV, in the 18th century, who introduced the concept of étiquette — a strict code of conduct — at the Court of Versailles. Although it initially referred to signs posted on the grounds warning visitors off the royal lawns (“estiquettes”), the term soon came to refer to actual paper “tickets” — formal invitations to palace events that also spelled out the rules for appropriate behavior in the king’s presence — especially at the dinner table. Unsurprisingly, as word of these idiosyncratic dining rituals spread among the bourgeoisie, France’s most avid social climbers committed themselves to learning and then applying them in their own households. Familiarity with proper table etiquette quickly became a marker of class — and an entrée…

Virginie first set foot in a ceramics studio at the age of 47. After raising a family and a successful career in advertising, she was yearning for a new creative outlet when a friend invited her along to her pottery class. In no time she was hooked. After this brief formal introduction, Virginie quickly set out to explore this new art form on her own, investing in a potter’s wheel and a kiln. Virginie’s deep dive began with earthenware and stoneware plates, bowls and cups. But on a visit to the South of France early in her journey, she met a porcelain artist whose work she greatly admired. “I absolutely loved what she was doing, but I thought porcelain was something for professionals,” she says. Porcelain clay has a reputation…

“The house spoke to me immediately. It was obvious!” recalls Mélanie Barathon. “We fell in love with the façade, the courtyard, and the old oak trees at the entrance.” Mélanie, an interior decorator, and her husband were charmed by the property’s well-preserved grounds. Surroundedby 15 hectares (37 acres) of forest and parkland, this 18th-century residence showcases the characteristic style of old Périgord, with flat tiles and a Dordogne stone façade. With its tower, it resembles a chartreuse (country home for the bourgeoisie). “Typically, this style of house has a tower on each side, but this one was not a typical example,” she explains. “It was a rural chartreuse, with a living area and a section for agricultural work.” Renovated 30 years ago, the house was livable but lacked the comfort…

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 Joanna Maclennan is a professional photographer whose work can be found in World of Interiors, House & Garden and The New York Times. This issue showcases her shots of Angela Price’s art-filled home in the Luberon. www.joannamaclennan.com @joannamaclennanphotography Emilie Joly Johnson is an American writer and photographer based in Provence. We experience the beauty of the tulip farms of southern France through her gifted lens. @emily_joly_johnson Joann Pai is a Canadian food, interior and travel photographer based in Paris. She shot the images for our piece on Château de la Treyne. www.sliceofpai.com @sliceofpai We are delighted to have the following talented…

Artichoke Fritters with Ajo Blanco Yogurt Dip Serves 4 Preparation time: 30 mins (plus 2 hours cooling) Ingredients: • 12 artichokes• 3 lemons• 1 ¾ cups (40 cl) sunflower oil• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar• 1 2⁄3 cups (400 g) Greek yogurt• 1 cup (120 g) blanched almonds• ½ cup (50 g) bread crumbs• 2 cloves garlic, grated• 1 tbsp cider vinegar• 2 sprigs mint• Olive oil• Salt and freshly ground pepper Preparation: Remove the outer leaves from the artichokes and cut off the tips. With a sharp paring knife, “turn” the artichoke to remove the hardest bits surrounding the heart. During this step, sprinkle the artichokes with lemon juice to prevent them from turning black, and then immerse them in water. Prepare the sauce: Drizzle the breadcrumbs with olive oil…

“No other country so embodies the art of sweet pleasures like France,” writes François Blanc, the food journalist and editor of Sweet France, a recipe book that features an extensive collection of dessert creations by France’s most famous and beloved pastry chefs. Recently translated into English, the book takes readers and home bakers on a formidable pastry tour of France, showcasing the expert tips and secrets behind crafting the perfect French treat. We are delighted to feature a small sampling of recipes from the book’s 350+ pages, envisioned by talented pastry chefs whose creations have found home in some of France’s most esteemed culinary establishments. *Sweet France Caraway and Orange Zest Bugnes (Fritters) By Sébastien Vauxion for K2 Palace Makes about 30 Preparation time: 1 hour Cooking time: 5 min…

Frederic’s journey began in southwest France, where he opened his first store. A subsequent move to Toulouse led him to further hone his treasure-hunting skills, but it is in the picturesque town of l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, in Provence — his home for the past 20 years — that Frederic has truly made his mark. Known as a mecca for French antiques, this vibrant town transforms every weekend into a bustling haven for brocante lovers, its streets alive with fixed shops and temporary stands brimming with eclectic finds. Vendors with permanent spots are organized into “villages” and grouped loosely by style and speciality. Frederic’s shop is nestled in the village of Hôtel Dongier, whose open patio stretches from one end to the other, inviting visitors to wander among the displays that spill enticingly…

* Business Woman “It’s not just about presenting a finished product, but sharing the process” Inspired by the original wallpapers uncovered during the renovation, Anna’s collection is instilled with traditional techniques and a handmade ethos, reflecting the same care as her earliest lino designs. We sat down with Anna, now on the cusp of launching a textile line, to disuss her impressive ethos and expanding universe. What drew you to lino printing? I studied fashion at St. Martin’s in London, and I have always had a love for printing, but I’d never tried lino printing until I was on maternity leave with my second daughter. I was at home for a couple of months, and I was craving a creative outlet. So I ended up just having a go and making…

The polite formality that is the foundation of les bonnes manières and politesse in France is not at all a stuffy cultural constraint, but rather an elegantly civilized way to navigate social interaction. I must admit, French etiquette is one of my favorite subjects. When I wrote my second book, I took a deep dive into the history and evolution of good manners and politeness. In one interview, Albane de Maiggret, a highly respected authority on the subject — both past and present — explained it like this: “We are steeped in our history, and as a result we tend to have certain values that have persisted. Good manners make life far more agreeable.” Stephane Bern, one of the most delightful Frenchmen I have ever met, is an encyclopedic reference…

Inside Paris By Ricardo Labougle Vendôme Press The well-known photographer and author Ricardo Labougle takes readers inside homes of some of the most opulent residences in the French capital. Owned by his fashion designer, artist and celebrity friends, these exquisitely shot interiors run the gamut of styles, from classical and rococo to ultra contemporary, offering unique insights into how the city’s moneyed and creative classes live and work. With a foreword by Mathilde Favier, head of global public relations at Dior Couture and an acclaimed Parisian hostess. Madame Grès Couture Paris By Olivier Saillard and Anne Graire | Rizzoli Known for her unique draping techniques and stylish asymmetrical dresses, Alix Grès — a.k.a. Madame Grès — was one of the top fashion designers in Paris from the 1930s to the…

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*Lunch on the lawn The setting is simple, a rustic wooden table, with benches for seating, and a couple of armchairs set with floral cushions. To enhance the ambience, two large Medici urns are filled with sprigs of blossom and tall tulips. The table is laid with antique French chinaware sporting a floral design, and antique glassware whose etched details catch the dancing light. Additional entertainment is assured by a couple of baby goats, bouncing playfully between the daffodils, and some fluffy chicks. Along the center of the table, a selection of white jugs and ceramic stem vases allow for a floral display with a down-to-earth touch. The strong hues of the tulips draw the eye to the details of the table linens — individual green placemats with matching napkins.…

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