My French Country Home

MFCH is a luxurious bi-monthly publication which features the greatest elements of French life. Join us as we explore lush gardens, bustling brocantes, the elegance of baking from scratch, and living simply but well. Our pages will transport you not only to the glamour of Paris, but to the sweeping lavender fields of Provence and the rolling hills of Normandy.

Editor’s Letter

Contributors • We are delighted to have the following talented writers and photographers contribute to this issue.

The Ends of the Earth • From awe-inspiring landscapes to the freshest seafood, the Cotentin coastline has it all. As beautifully raw and wild as it is windy, dip a toe into the waters of this lesser-known corner of Normandy.

Book Club

Warm at Heart • In a small village in La Nièvre, Burgundy, this former rectory has been redesigned with neutral colors, natural materials and warm decorative touches to reveal its coziest side.

Keeping Cozy • It may be the start of a new year, but January is still a time when we can forgo social plans in favor of staying warm and comfy at home. From throws to slippers, here are our top picks of things to snuggle up with this season.

Au Paradis Tropical • Within the remarkable gardens of the Château du Champ-de-Bataille — designer Jacques Garcia’s spectacular home in Normandy — sit two spectacular, 4,000-square-foot greenhouses. Each hosting its own sublime and elaborately staged collection of exotic plants, these wonderful, private universes are just begging to be explored.

ARTISANS OF FRANCE Threading Tradition Manufacture Saint-Jean d’Aubusson • In the middle of l’Hexagone, in the Creuse, Aubusson is legendary for its tapisserie. Tour one of the remaining factories that uphold this venerated style of woven tapestries.

Fireside in the City • Sure, Paris has its candle-lit bistros and steamy cafés, but what is wintertime without a few hot coals? Open fires have historically been banned in the capital, yet there are a few rare spots where you can enjoy a meal and toast those toes at the same time. Five addresses you won't want to share…

Winter Warmers • The cold season means evenings in, and there’s nothing better than the simple pleasure of lighting a candle at home. Firewood, tobacco, leather, musk… each of these bougies is an invitation to get cozy.

Perfectly Proportioned • Why not make a meal that is as delightful to look at as it is tasty? You might not think it, but beyond the classic baked egg, mini-cocottes are extremely versatile. Some sweet, some savory — here, find a few easy-to-make recipes that make adorably sized meals for wintertime.

A Haven of Peace • A stone’s throw from the Presidential Élysée Palace, this two-story home is a sanctuary of elegantly furnished, light-filled rooms — perfect for a modern family.

A Love Affairin Paris • A romantic floral arrangement is the perfect antidote to post-holiday blues. In soft beige, pale pink and glitter-dusted mauve, this flowerscape is an ode to the dreamiest kind of romance. Overtly feminine and vintage in esprit, it finds its ideal backdrop in a chic and cozy tea time at a traditional Parisian café.

QUOI DE neuf ?* * What’s new? • What caught our eye this month

Heart of theHaute-Savoie • A serene natural landscape embodying all the traditional charms of the Savoy, Annecy is an enchanting setting to refresh the spirit and reconnect with nature.

WinterGetawayswith Le Collectionist • Picturesquely planted in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the French Alps is a mountain range home to myriad villages offering some of the most idyllic spots for enjoying the cold weather season and all its activities. MFCH trusts Le Collectionist for the best rental properties across France. Read on to find your ideal...