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

Sacred Stones • Portfolio by Hervé Lenain

DESTINATION FRANCE An Inherited Dream • Château d’Hémevez emerges from its past like a long-forgotten manuscript. Centuries old and weathered by the hands of time and war, it now rests in the careful stewardship of one artistic family working hard to shape its future.

Christmas at the Priory • Straight from the kitchen of his home in the Perche — a former 17th century priory — come these mouthwatering creations by our dear friend and collaborator, Franck Schmitt. Each dish indulges the flavors of the season, bringing a touch of rustic elegance to your festive table.

Cause Célèbre • In 1940, Josephine Baker, the American entertainer and activist, was a superstar in France, her adopted country. But when the Nazis invaded, she fled Paris for the Dordogne, renting (and later buying) the magnificent Château des Milandes. The estate, with its expansive gardens, became a beloved refuge for the artist for more than two decades.

Reopening of Notre Dame • Five and a half years after a devastating fire destroyed its roof and spire, Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral will re-open to the public just in time for the Christmas season. Visitors will be able to marvel at its newly buffed stone walls, vibrant frescoes and gleaming stained glass. A series of events is also planned to mark the occasion and honor the armies of engineers and artisans from across France who helped resurrect this beloved Gothic masterpiece and its precious treasures.

Savor the Season • Among the typical spread that is laid out for the winter holidays, there is one particular little mollusk that always makes its way to the centerer of the table to launch the festive celebration sebrations in France.

A Home for the Holidays • Eschewing the traditional Christmas palette, Sharon Santoni’s holiday decorations embrace winter florals, rich berry tones and soft blossom pinks to create a festive spirit with a fresh and romantic twist. Stepping into Sharon’s home this holiday season feels like entering a festive dreamscape, where every detail speaks of luxury, romance and exquisite curation.

Wrapped in Luxury Gift-Wrapping Guide • To recreate Sharon’s luxurious gift wrapping style, you’ll need a selection of floral wrapping paper or wallpaper offcuts. Pair with a selection of tonal ribbons for a sophisticated yet slightly whimsical festive look.

Get The Look • Inspired by Sharon’s Christmas table display? Transform your dining room this holiday season with Sharon’s favorite French products and brands — many of which are available to ship anywhere in the world straight from our warehouse in the Normandy countryside via the MFCH Online Boutique.

Winter’s Spell • Like Sleeping Beauty’s castle, the Château du Rivau in Chinon lies deep within its own Enchanted Forest, slumbering throughout winter’s coldest months, its ancient towers capped with frost, its gardens enveloped in snow, only to be awakened in spring.

REGIONAL GUIDE Le Marais Paris’s Cultural Melting Pot • Unlike the grand Haussmannian boulevards that define much of Paris, the Marais is formed of a labyrinth of medieval streets, each twist and turn offering up a new delight to be explored.

Things to Do

Where to Shop

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

THE MFCH Holiday Gift Guide • Load the Christmas Tree with presents from...