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

Between the Sky and Sea • Gliding high above the sandy landscape, photographer Jérôme Houyvet takes us on an aerial stroll to discover new and magical angles of Normandy’s most famous monument.

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

Destiny in the Dordogne • When a couple first caught sight of this exceptional 14th century manoir tucked away in the hills of the Périgord, it felt like a stroke of fate. Caroline and Niko teamed up with friends to renovate and re-imagine this unique property as a luxurious holiday home brimming with ancient charm.

Down the Winding Path • Seamlessly integrated into the tree-lined Provençal landscape around Apt are the remarkable gardens of La Chabaude, carefully designed and lovingly maintained by landscape designer Phillipe Cottet.

Swimming with Tradition • The approach of Easter in France is accompanied by the arrival of festive chocolates at boulangeries and chocolateries. Among the eggs, bunnies, chicks and other recognizable symbols of spring you might also spot something else swimming among the window displays.

Belles Tulipes • Spilling over from teaming buckets lined up against shop fronts, brightening up every balcony, or displayed askew at fruit and vegetable markets, flowers are a year-round staple of the French lifestyle.

Living Wild • The desire to return to a simpler way of life is a long-existing sentiment. Yet, in the wake of Covid and the ongoing climate crisis, it is one that seems more culturally prevalent than ever before. It is this phenomenon that Joanna and Oliver Maclennan explore in their book, Living Wild.

Stone by Provençal Stone • A passionate collector of all things vintage, Anna Covelli’s home and textiles workshop, La Maison en Pierre, reveals the wonderful effect of fusing slow design with thoughtful restoration.

Get The Look • Make your home feel like Maison en Pierre with these French design items

Stems of Silk • Her love affair with color and silk began in art school. After 20 years as a costume maker with the opera, a chance meeting with a master silk florist opened the door to a new universe of creative expression and experimentation.

Wild garlic, wilder recipes! • A natural inhabitant of fields, forests and even gardens, wild garlic is the perfect addition to your favorite spring dishes. In France, it’s better known as l’ail des ours (bears’ garlic): Alpine legend has it that wild bears like to feast on the pungent greens when they first emerge from their winter hibernation.

Les Jardins du Plessis Sasnière • More than six decades ago, Rosamée Henrion reclaimed an ancient hunting lodge with surrounding land in the Loire Valley. Now, her love and her labors have transformed the otherwise abandoned property into a small paradise.

Le Narbonnais France’s Secret Southern Coast • Discover why artists and artisans are drawn to this picturesque region with its fishing villages, coral colored saltworks, blue lagoons and quiet beaches. A longtime French secret, Narbonne is the perfect holiday destination to enjoy the seaside charm of the Mediterranean with none of the crowds of the Côte d'Azur.

The Preserved Pantry • After being cooped up all winter long, the arrival of spring invites thoughts of entertaining outdoors. Toast these warmer and longer days with an alfresco apéritif paired with savory French spreads....