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.

Bonjour from France!

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

Pipe Dreams • Versailles is the embodiment of French opulence, grandeur and audacity. From the moment Louis XIV first conceived of moving the royal residence from the Louvre in Paris to the site of his father’s favorite hunting lodge, it was clear he would need to enlist the era’s most inventive and creative minds. The ornate fountains that adorn its vast formal gardens are a testament to the Sun King’s zeal to tame the landscape and inspire awe.

A Provençal Palette • Lorraine Frey and her husband Patrick have reworked a farmhouse in the Luberon into a vacation home that both captures the sensations of Provence and integrates signature elements from their family’s storied textile brand.

Get The Look • Patrick and Lorraine Frey’s home décor is all about texture. To get the look and feel of their Provençal farmhouse, mix natural compositions like wicker and rattan with colorful patterns, emblematic of the iconic Pierre Frey fabrics. Balance it all out (and make it comfy) with layers of linen pillows.

Let the Games Begin! • The French capital is succumbing to Olympic fever, so we are dedicating this issue’s “Quoi de Neuf?” (What’s New?) column to the Summer Games! Discover some of the highlights taking place across France as well as the inspiration behind the artwork for this year’s competitions. For more information on specific events, be sure to check out the official website www.paris2024.org

Peach Perfect • The taste and color of perfectly ripened peaches are the embodiment of summer. In July and August, they practically spill from the fruit stalls at farmers’ markets across France. So for those who simply can’t get enough of this succulent, versatile fruit, here are some ideas for sharing the season’s bounty.

Portrait in Petals • A stone’s throw from Fontainebleau, France Jobert has created an extraordinary garden where old roses blossom in an explosion of fragrance and color. A little paradise in infinite shades of pink and white, the Jardin de Berville is an invitation to gentle meditation and beauty.

ARTISANS OF FRANCEPlaying with Light • Hidden down a bustling street in Avignon, is an old building, whose central room is bathed in soft light that enters through the tall glass ceiling. Welcome to the showroom of Vox Populi.

Grand Ambitions • A couple from France’s northeast in search of new horizons loved the idea of a rambling old house in the Charente-Maritime, near the southwestern coast. But with seaside real estate prices at a premium, they decided to cast their eyes further inland — and found the perfect home in the tiny village Courpignac.

Spritz O’Clock

Small Wonders • For more than a decade, Armelle and Jacques Noppe, in collaboration with their landscaper, Chantal Lejard-Gasson, have meticulously coaxed a plot of land next to their Pays d’Auge nursery into a unique center of unparalleled horticultural beauty and historical fascination.

OUR PICKS FROM THEMFCH Boutique • This summer, make sure you have everything you need for a fabulous drink service at home. Whether that involves a seasonal cocktail displayed in a chic Parisian glass, an antique pitcher filled with chilled iced tea, or a warm cup of coffee in an Eiffel Tower mug, the MFCH Boutique will ensure your apéro hour is unforgettable.

REGIONAL GUIDEThe Bay of ArcachonEmbraced...