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.

Putting on The Ritz • As the world’s most-visited city, Paris takes pride in being home to some of the grandest luxury hotels. It is a pantheon of prestige that includes such hallowed names as the George V, Le Bristol, Hôtel Lutetia, Le Plaza Athénée…. But there is really only one that has, literally, become synonymous with glamour, opulence and comfort: Le Ritz.

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

Foray into the Folie • It was almost by accident that Arthur van der Straeten stumbled across — and promptly bought — a small manor house perched on the banks of the Loire. But it would soon turn out that what he intended as weekend getaway would become much more significant.

Bells of May • The lily of the valley is known as one of Spring’s most punctual floral harbingers. The timing of the muguet’s bloom is, in fact, so reliable that the French have practically set their calendars by it for centuries.

Mediterranean Inspiration • Drawing from her Mediterranean roots, her adopted home in Provence and her travels around the world, Perla Servan-Schreiber has concocted a wonderful selection of recipes that spans across seasons. Here you will find six of her delicious creations that, when paired together, make for a perfect, complete meal to serve at an al fresco garden party!

A Verdant Tapestry • Tucked away in the Aveyron, the artist Marion Wilson lovingly tends the magnificent English-style garden that surrounds her impressive stone farmhouse. Each spring and summer, she throws open the gates of her private haven to share the fruits of her passion.

The Woven Willow • Nestled in the heart of Brittany’s Plourac'h countryside is Michel Le Guilcher’s home and workshop: A labyrinth of delicate willow stems waiting to be transformed by his skilled hands.

How to Dine Outside Like the French • From their famously elaborate meals to their effortlessly chic table settings, the French have always been at the forefront of style and sophistication when it comes to dining and entertaining. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the French are also able to make the tricky art of dining en plein air seem like a breeze.

Generations of Design • It was during a sojourn near the beautiful but ancient Château de Louÿe that Patrick Frey — director of French textile company Pierre Frey — had an epiphany that would bring this old property back into its rightful opulence.

Freshly Picked • The return of spring makes us want to rediscover the pleasures of the season’s bounty of fresh, new vegetables. Young carrots, crunchy radishes, melting peas and new potatoes are whispering suggestions in our ears for delectable gourmet recipes.

A Living Masterpiece • Tucked away in the small village of Giverny, just an hour outside of Paris, Monet’s Garden is a true masterpiece of nature, art, and human creativity. The renowned Impressionist painter spent more than 40 years cultivating his garden, using it as a muse for his artwork, including his iconic water lily series. Today, the garden serves as a living canvas, offering visitors a glimpse into the creative mind of the artist and the natural beauty that inspired him.

OUR PICKS FROM THE MFCH Boutique • When it comes to dining outside like the French, the MFCH Boutique has you covered. Here’s a selection of our...