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France + All Things French

Paris to Provence – A French Festival in Melbourne

Paris to Provence French Festival

The Paris to Provence French Festival brings France to Melbourne once a year in a big way at Como House and Gardens in the luscious, leafy suburb of Toorak and this year I headed there with my daughter to attend the festival and celebrate her 21st birthday at the same time.  What a good idea I hear you say.

So with plans to eat and drink our ‘French’ way through the weekend and meet some amazing Francophiles who were participating in the Festival, we started with a celebratory pre-flight champagne and then jumped on our flight full of anticipation.

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French House Chic by Jane Webster

French house chic by Jane WebsterFrench House Chic by Jane Webster

Jane Webster the amazing and courageous Australian who swapped her suburban Melbourne life to that of château owner in rural Normandy, France has just released her elegant new book French House Chic.

French House Chic is described as “a glimpse inside the most private of French residences: from supremely elegant Parisian apartments to lavishly upholstered sitting rooms in French country estates” (French House Chic) and is a natural sequel to Jane’s bestselling books At My French Table and French Ties. 

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Our Story #4: Aussies in France

Our Story #4: Aussies in France is a memoir of incidents and personal observations of our life in France, like the importance of the ‘right’ Saint, the power of a stick pin, styled by a French supermarket and “Madame, your chimney’s on fire”.

The Importance of the ‘right’ Saint

We read the local advertisement, checked the date, double checked the date and when the time came, dressed ourselves head to foot in the warmest clothes and headed out in the dark with snow steadily falling to find the little village that was putting on the school play we had seen advertised in a local Tabac.

We had dashed into the Tabac on our way home from the butchers to pick up last-minute fresh baguettes, stinky oozy cheese and obligatory wine.

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Deyrolle – A Parisian Curiosity

Deyrolle, Paris - a Parisian curiosityDeyrolle – A Parisian Curiosity

Paris is home to many unique and exotic stores and experiences and Deyrolle, the fantastic taxidermy shop, is certainly the most unusual one that I’ve found so far. Deyrolle was founded by well-known entomologist Emile Deyrolle in 1831, and has been at its current two-story premises since 1881. Can you believe that’s 136 years in the one place!

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Hungry For France: Book Giveaway

*** THIS GIVEAWAY HAS FINISHED ***

Read on about our book GIVEAWAY and how to Enter for your chance to WIN!

France is all about family, friends and entertaining with fresh produce, traditional foods and good wine. What better way to bring a bit of France into your home than preparing sumptuous food and sharing it with others from recipes in ‘Hungry For France’.

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Curious Histories of Provence: Book Review

Provence, France with sunflower field

Curious Histories of Provence: Tales from the South of France

A book about magical Provence …

Fair warning to all of you who might be history buffs or inquisitive readers, the latest book by Margo Lestz ‘Curious Histories of Provence’ will draw you into its pages of historical facts, legends and traditions and keep you wanting to learn more.  You’ll want to head to France to explore Provence, the land of sunny days and quaint villages armed with the stories and histories that shaped the area.

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The Five Sons of Carcassonne

Carcassonne walled city on hill

The Five Sons of Carcassonne Are Worth Exploring

Carcassonne, the impressive medieval walled city in the South of France is a popular tourist destination with an amazing history.  The lesser known Five Sons of Carcassonne are also steeped in history and worth exploring.

To find out more about the Five Sons of Carcassonne, guest writer Keith Van Sickle, part time resident of Provence, France and author of ‘One Sip At A Time‘, will tell us more.

Carcassonne will imprint itself on your memory whether you first cast your eyes over it in the soft morning light, harsh summer sun or gentle moonlight.  And once you know about the Five Sons of Carcassonne you’ll want to explore more than just the walled la Cité, so please read on and enjoy Keith’s post…

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PRESS & MEDIA

A French Collection is featured in international magazines, ABC National Radio interviews, France Media Group webinars & blog articles and interviews.

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