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, photographers and artists contribute to this issue.

Provençal Pride • Rooted in history and maintained by ritual, the Provençal village of Arles marks the height of summer not with spectacle, but with tradition.

*What’s new ?

Living with Legacy • In a home immortalised by Vincent van Gogh, Jeanne Bayol, a decorator and stylist, has created a 17th century Provençal farmhouse made for living, and above all, for entertaining.

Le Mas de Griffeuille • Get the look of Jeanne Bayol’s Provençal farmhouse by carefully juxtaposing color and introducing a blend of 19th and 20th century design pieces.

Lavender Spell • The sun beats down on violet-speckled fields, while the breeze carries a faint floral perfume. Across a table, freshly harvested stalks of lavender await assembly into wands that may not conjure magic but still cast a fragrant spell.

Root Awakening • The arrival of sweet, earthy carrots in the kitchen garden is a time to celebrate. The author and food stylist Eve Cardi shares some simple ideas that highlight their natural flavor and bring warmth, brightness and a taste of spring to every table.

Serenading the Senses • For close to three centuries, the elegant manor of Le Grand Courtoiseau has graced this quiet corner of the Loiret region, welcoming a parade of creators, intellectuals and dignitaries. Today, its six hectares (nearly 15 acres) of meticulously designed gardens are the main attraction, weaving history, artistry and botanical excellence.

Caring for Copper • From her idyllic Normandy home, the cookbook author and photographer Cat Bude has long championed the enduring beauty of antique copper cookware. Here, she shares her expertise on sourcing authentic pieces, spotting quality craftsmanship and caring for these heirloom pots so they age with grace.

Floral Alchemy • Sometimes beauty emerges from the bleakest moments. In 1870, as Prussian troops marched into northeastern France, a botanist from Nancy made a choice: Rather than surrender to despair, he retreated into his nursery to begin an ambitious experiment. His unlikely muse was the humble lilac.

Renaissance in Normandy • Rising unexpectedly from the Norman countryside, Château de Bailleul marries Renaissance grandeur with rural seclusion. Meticulously restored by its new owners, the 16th century property has been thoughtfully revived for modern life, balancing architectural heritage, cultivated parkland and a renewed sense of community.

Our Picks from the MFCH Boutique • It’s a floral frenzy at the MFCH Boutique! Fill every room in your home with products inspired by fragrant French blooms.

Bon Voyage… Lectoure • There are many places in France where you can buy antiques, but the small town of Lectoure in the Gers region has the particularity of having more antique dealers than bakers or restaurants. We recommend spending time at the Village de Brocante, then walking up the high street to find Jean Claude Hubert and Galerie Jerome Pla among others.

Let Us Eat Cake! • From her roots in rural France, New York-based Lucie Franc de Ferriere creates desserts that reflect a distinctly modern French sensibility. Intentionally less sweet than typical American baked goods, the creations in her new cookbook, Cake From Lucie, showcase unique flavor combinations with clarity and...