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.

The Consummate Collector • One of France’s most celebrated living architects, Jacques Garcia is known for a darkly opulent, history-driven style that transforms collecting and interior design into acts of extravagant devotion. For 30 years, Château du Champ de Bataille has served as both his residence and a living monument to the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Quoi de Neuf ?* •  *What’s new ?

Turning Back Time • After a brief stay in France early in their relationship, a pair of Dutch artisans longed to return one day and restore a historic property. Decades later, they found the château of their dreams near the medieval city of Moulins in the Auvergne, transforming it into a home, as well as a guest house and event space.

Timeless Design • Rooted in antiques and relaxed country comfort, Muriel and Marco’s Auvergne estate, Château Paraize, blends pale stone, painted wood, wicker and washed linen for a bright, welcoming feel. Shaped by a collection assembled over time, rather than strict styling, this look is easily summoned with a thoughtful mix of pieces.

Mending Masterpieces • In a vast, light‑filled atelier in Lyon, discreetly tucked away from the city’s bustle, works one of the world’s most respected experts in the restoration of paintings.

Bistro Bests • Known for its chalkboard menus, the freshest ingredients and the comforting clatter of cutlery and conversation, the iconic Bistrot Paul Bert in the 11th arrondissement has long been a place where classic French dishes are prepared with sincerity, skill and an unwavering respect for tradition. In this beautifully photographed volume, proprietor Bertrand Auboyneau opens the doors to one of Paris’s most beloved dining institutions, sharing the philosophy and time-honored techniques behind more than 100 recipes that define French comfort cooking.

Defining Landscapes • At My French Country Home, we have shown you many Jardins Remarquables (“Remarkable Gardens”) over the years, from formal château grounds to botanical parks and patiently honed private plots. But what does this classification really mean, and why are certain gardens awarded the distinction while others are not?

Verdant Voyage • In the village of Le Châtellier, not far from the legendary Mont Saint-Michel, lies the Parc Botanique de Haute-Bretagne, a horticultural treasure that invites visitors to traverse both centuries and continents without ever leaving the verdant landscapes of Brittany.

Bon Voyage… • L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Edition

La Foire de Chatou • Twice a year, in March and October, the village of Chatou near Paris comes alive with one of the most cherished antiques events in all of France. Here, on a verdant bend of the Seine, thousands of treasure hunters, designers, collectors and curious visitors gather for the Foire de Chatou, a festive and spirited celebration of history, craft and the art of the find.

French Connection • The first Fabergé egg, created in the 19th century as an Easter gift from Tsar Alexander III to his wife, became synonymous with Imperial Russian glamour. Yet few today are aware of the tumultuous history that connects its designer and his family to France.

A Regal Retreat • Discretely located in the folds of the Rémarde valley, south of Paris, the former orangery of the Domaine d’Esclimont...