Photo by ยฉ Corinne Schantรฉ-Angelรฉ
Welcome to the May/June edition of My French Country Home magazine!
Thereโs much to love about the arrival of summer in France. The days start to stretch out as the country shrugs off its final winter vestiges and relaxes into the warmth and geniality of the season. It’s not hard to see why the French prioritize this time of year for exploring new corners of their own country.
The Discovery Guide: Pays Basque
As we all start to plan or embark on our summer explorations, we first find ourselves drawn to the captivating allure of the Pays Basque, where France rubs shoulders with its southern neighbor, Spain. Featured in our Discovery Guide, this region was once a haven for whalers and privateers and now beckons modern-day adventurers, cultural treasure-hunters, and epicurean explorers alike. We’ve also created an 8-day itinerary to go with it!
Celebrating Soldiers and Artisans
This summer also marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a poignant milestone that we reflect upon as we turn our attention to the Normandy coast with a feature on Franceโs annual celebrations of liberation and remembrances of the fallen. We also steer you towards many inspiring artisans. We meet Colombe Lecomte-Flament, an entrepreneur in the Loire expressing her artistic passion and fashion know-how, and take a closer look at how Les Toiles du Soleil, a 150-year-old textile manufacturer in the Pyrenees, creates its kaleidoscopic canvas fabrics.
Blooming Gardens & Detailed Interiors
As Franceโs gardens burst back into life, we take a tour of some of its most enchanting botanical displays, including the village of Apremont-sur-Allier in the Cher and the majestic grounds of the Chรขteau de Canon in Normandy, and we marvel at the delicate irises that sprout from the rooftops of traditional chaumiรจre cottages. Not overlooking our interiors, we step inside the nature-infused Chรขteau Le Breuil, nestled in the Berrichonne countryside, as well as a personal paradise in the Touraine crafted with love and care.
Food ร la franรงaise
Finally, there is no shortage of cuisine features in this edition. Franck Schmitt indulges in his favorite early summer fruit โ cherries! โ and we discover recipes from the popular Bruno’s Cookbook inspired by dishes from the Pรฉrigord. Tish Jett expands on the theme of seasonal eating and French restaurant culture, and we dive into the fascinating history behind the famous Michelin Guide.
Read on to take a peek at a few more of our May/June features, and click below to flip through a full preview of the magazine.
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Traversing Time
In the rugged expanse of the Cรฉvennes mountains within the Languedoc-Roussillon region, an ancient tradition quietly persists โ a journey as old as the hills themselves. In our Portfolio feature for this edition, we take you on a mesmerizing journey through the lens of photographer Jean du Boisberranger who has skillfully captured the harmonious dance enfolding between man and beast, set against the backdrop of the majestic mountain range.
Picture Perfect
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Cher department, in central France, the tidy stone homes and lush gardens of Apremont-sur-Allier pay loving homage to its medieval past. Historically a hamlet of stone-cutters that fell into disrepair after WWII, today it is considered one of France’s most beautiful villages โ particularly in late springtime.
Domino Effect
Vincent Farelly and Jean-Baptiste Martin are the dynamic duo behind Antoinette Poisson, a Parisian brand best known for its hand-made domino paper and home furnishings. Their recently restored 18th century townhouse in Port-Louis, Brittany, serves both as a showcase for their signature aesthetic and a celebration of French savoir-vivre โ the art of living well. We feature shots beautifully captured by Ruth Ribeaucourt for their new book, A Year in French Style.
Cherries, ma chรฉrie!
Cherries go wonderfully with all sorts of dishes! Whether in savory sauces or sweet desserts, their distinctive flavor adds a cheerful touch to every bite. With these delicious fruits now coming into season, we indulge our love for them with recipes that showcase their versatility and irresistible taste.
SHOP THE NEW ISSUE
We hope you enjoy this new issue which we truly believe is one of our very best yet!