discovering french country life

by Sharon Santoni
Don’t you love travelling?   for all the little surprises, for the discovery of the small things that are done differently to home.  When I’m not travelling I get just as much enjoyment from seeing our guests take it all in here.

 

As our season in the guest cottage and for the brocante tours really gets under way, I try to put myself into the shoes of people arriving here.  Almost always for the first time to our home, often the first time to Normandy, and sometimes a first time to France.

Of course things are different.  There’s be no point in travelling at all if that weren’t the case.  It may be sleeping in linen sheets, or buying fresh croissant in the village, or the sound of the church bells in the distance.  Everyone picks up on something different.   Here are a few of the things that people comment on most often.
“It’s so quiet, but it only took us an hour to get here from Paris”
Well, yes, it is pretty quiet here, and yes we do have the best of both worlds, with Paris so close. But here it’s just a small village in a quiet valley.  There is a village school, and if the wind is in the right direction I can here the children at play time, but other than that my most constant noise here is birdsong.  And the sound of our neighbour’s racehorses trotting up the lane, past my kitchen window, to  their training track.
“it’s so green”
Yup, it’s called a valley full of farmland and forest.  Even my teenage children who love to go into town to see friends, still appreciate the space and green surroundings we enjoy here.  And of course we try to take care of the garden, since that’s right outside our window.
“There’s so much more time”
Not sure about this, although I suppose life feels less rushed than in a city.  And I suppose it is true that we often shop on a bike down to the village store, or do a little painting and yes, we like to take our time over meals, and of course I always try to be sure to have plenty of time for our guests.

 

“You hang your laundry to dry on a line!”
This one always makes me laugh.  But yes!  I definitely hang out laundry to dry, unless it’s raining. Nothing beats that sweet smell of fresh laundry, dried in the sunshine.
“You don’t have bugs!”

 

We’re lucky!  We can live all summer through with windows and doors flung open.  Meals outside, windows open at night-time too.   If it gets really hot we’ll have a few flies from the horses all around, but nothing dangerous.  The children can sleep in tents without any worries too.
“It all looks so old and French”
Well yes, that’s because it is well … old and also,  well you know … French!   Seriously though, I know what they mean, we are lucky to live in an area that is still pretty unspoilt, and of course we enjoy the whole brocante spirit, so at home I guess that shows even more.
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So tell me, do you still get that tingly feeling when you travel somewhere new?  Can you remember a really striking first impression ?  Can you pin down exactly what it was that gave a place it’s special character?  I’d love to know ….

51 comments

Kris Vogelsang April 11, 2012 - 2:29 pm

Yes, yes I can. I traveled to Germany with my husband, before kids, and we stopped at a little village to spend our first night. It was the quinessential European village…a stone and stucco bed and breakfast over the family restaurant, the friendly staff, the wide open windows (no bugs!)with lace curtains, that looked over the centers cobblestones, working fountain, church spire and the castle ruins. Every single window had a window box cascading with flowers, the sidewalk tables, and the green countryside beyond that. It was a slice of heaven!
Love your slice of heaven!

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Susan April 11, 2012 - 2:43 pm

I can't wait until I come to stay at your guest cottage. I was sad that we wouldn't be able to make it this summer, but I'm hopeful of visiting next Spring. I just have to get my husband to "sign off" on it. He's never been to France, and he's been looking forward to going for years. I am hoping these pictures entice him more!

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Anne April 11, 2012 - 2:52 pm

I've often wondered why it is that the photos of French houses show the windows thrown open with no screens on them! No bugs!! I'm moving!!!!!!!!!

TFS!
xox

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Karen April 11, 2012 - 2:58 pm

Thank you for the photos and nice getaway so early in the morning. You are very blessed.

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NotesFromAbroad April 11, 2012 - 3:06 pm

I get that tingly feeling every time I go to London and Paris.
We got it when we visited Buenos Aires and well, you know what happened with that !
Now we are getting a tingly feeling about another move, another sort of lifestyle and more adventures.
Perhaps there will even be horses in our view !
besos, C

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Jalon Burton April 11, 2012 - 3:11 pm

I simply love your photos and the feel of the life you offer to share… I miss these posts when I am away from my computer for a few days and love to return to see what is new and exciting in France! Gorgeous images – Thanks for sharing and have a great day! Jalon

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Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest April 11, 2012 - 3:21 pm

You create magic.

And, well, don't you get mosquitos there???

If I leave a door ajar for 5 seconds we get em.

LOVE French doors, but cannot have them here because we cannot leave things open w/o screens.

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Corrine April 11, 2012 - 3:37 pm

I spent years and years planning what I would visit on a trip to France. When we arrived in Paris it was dark and I felt like I was being cheated because I could not see everything. Then we stopped at the Eiffel tower, the lights came on and I cried. I was so happy that I cried. That memory is so strong, I can still sense it. The other special moment was on the train from Paris to Rome. We passed fields of mustard, in bloom, it was stunning, absolutely stunning. Now that I recall, I slept very little that night as well. I was afraid I would miss the view.

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La Dolfina April 11, 2012 - 3:53 pm

Oh to be a guest in your world….a dream I hope to one day come true!!!!

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Amber April 11, 2012 - 3:55 pm

So beautiful! My next European holiday will be France! I'll pack heavy, I just might have to stay!

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Blondie's Journal April 11, 2012 - 5:04 pm

You have me sold…I'd love to come for a visit. Your pictures rival a travel brochure!

XO,
Jane

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vicki archer April 11, 2012 - 5:27 pm

Love this Sharon… such great questions and answers… I think you live in paradise… and heaven is only one hour away! xv

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Catherine April 11, 2012 - 5:28 pm

I am sitting here listening to the garden crew next door that have just arrived with… Five gas blowers, Lawn mowers and weed eaters… In one of the worst crime ridden cities in the USA. Dreading summer flies and mosquitos and other buzzing vampires, 105 degree F temperatures and 97% humidity that makes you wish you had a oxygen tank for a deep breath.
I am delighted to know places such as yours still exist. :-))) It's is a bit of much looked forward to magic for me every day. Thank you!

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Curtains in My Tree April 11, 2012 - 6:04 pm

looks like my imagination of France, I have never been in europe and the though of no bugs is heaven

I often wonder why we have all the bugs here in America?

girl you are living the dream

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Gina April 11, 2012 - 6:07 pm

Dear Sharon, this is a most beautiful post. I'm so sorry that we could not find a few days that were open for us to come for a visit while we are in France this Fall.
My most vivid memory of traveling was waking up early in the morning to see Machu Pichu and the sunrise. All tourists had left the day before and we had Machu Pichu to ourselves.
I am lucky in that I live in a very small community. We have all the wonderful things you described except church bells ringing and fresh breads every morning from the local bakery.

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LA VIE EN ROSE April 11, 2012 - 6:14 pm

Oh Sharon, every time I visit your blog I fall in love with your home a little bit more! I so want to visit your corner of France and stay in your guest cottage – I'm going to work on husband this evening – drop a few, ahem – hints!!

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Annette April 11, 2012 - 6:43 pm

You've captured Normandy, for sure — captured what captures us when we visit. And now you are making me want to visit you! …someday, I'm sure we will. We love hanging out in the non-touristy places and experiencing the rhythm of life in a different place. That is the best part of traveling — oh, and the food of course!

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Amy April 11, 2012 - 6:54 pm

Such beautiful, beautiful photos – of an absolutely magically gorgeous place. I could just stare at them all day. Maybe I will…

In answer to your question…The striking first impression? Paris. My mother took me to Paris in 2009 to help get me out of a bad funk I fell into as a result of my house being broken into for the 2nd time (and other reasons, yes some had to do with a boy…). I didn't want to go, had no interest in Paris, didn't care about France at all. Then the taxi driver roared over the petit pont in front of Notre Dame on the way to our hotel, slowed down, and said, "Look, Mademoiselle…it's Notre Dame. I think you HAVE been here before."

And I burst into tears. From that moment on, Paris has owned my heart.

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Lorrie April 11, 2012 - 7:24 pm

Five years ago my husband and I arrived in Paris after a very long flight from Vancouver. We settled into our hotel and went for a walk, trying to stay awake until bedtime in Paris. We wandered through the Place des Vosges and along the streets. Hungry, although it wasn't yet dinnertime, we stopped at a café. The waiter told us it wasn't yet time to serve dinner, and lunch was long past. After explaining, in my hesitant French, our situation, he said that he had some smoked trout quiche and salad he could rustle up.

We sat on the sidewalk, drinking wine, eating our quiche and watching life go by. At that moment I knew we'd arrived. It was bliss.

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Lorrie April 11, 2012 - 7:25 pm

And I forgot to say that your photos are beautiful and so enticing. Perhaps it's time for us to begin thinking of our next trip to France!

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Isabelle Thornton April 11, 2012 - 9:06 pm

Hello friend!
I would love if you link some French posts to the French party on Monday!
XO
https://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com/

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Roberta April 11, 2012 - 9:14 pm

Such pretty pictures on this post! I dream of visiting and staying in your guesthouse sometime! I think I will post a pic of it on my inspiration board. It's hard to believe that some people do not have a clothesline:) I would never do without one. xo

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Jody and Stan April 11, 2012 - 9:48 pm

Love this post with all the wonderful french photos. I want to be there so bad. You blog is the closest I can be to France.

Jody

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Cara April 11, 2012 - 10:17 pm

beautiful photos!

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PURA VIDA April 11, 2012 - 10:22 pm

I will never forget when I rounded the corner and saw the Eiffel Tower for the very first time. I still remember the awe.

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seashoreknits April 11, 2012 - 11:13 pm

Those impressions are simply the best, because they stay with one forever.
Some of mine are: my first trip abroad, arriving in London, traveling to our hotel straight from the airport, and a light drizzle of rain out the windows. Although it was a gray day and raining, I felt immediately that I WAS IN ENGLAND and I was incredibly happy. And when I saw Salisbury Cathedral for the first time (also in a light rain) I was so moved I cried and cried.
Another wonderful impression was arriving at this oh-so-quaint hotel in Austria and finding no top sheets but only a lovely puffy duvet rolled so attractively at the foot of the bed. Everything about that room said European to me – and I remember every detail. I could go on and on – thank you, Sharon, for evoking these and many more memories.

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Anonymous April 11, 2012 - 11:21 pm

Dearest Sharon- what a breath-taking tour you haven taken me on! Everyday I look forward to seeing this beautiful blog and your wonderful descriptions of this wondrous land. I have my coffee at 3:00p.m. everyday and this is the blog I open to enjoy my coffee. Everything cleanses the senses. May I be so bold as to ask- do you have a source-i.e. a blog, book, etc to help me design a faux French garden in my backyard? I have a good size backyard with little vegetation so I can pretty much start from scratch. Thank you soooo much for sharing. By the way-I sign in anonymously because I do not know how to sign in any other way-my name is Lupe. Blessings.

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rosaria williams April 11, 2012 - 11:28 pm

Ah, an inspiring description of the country life! That outdoor table scene makes us all feel at home right there in your garden. Thank you for such beautiful sights you share.

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Emily April 11, 2012 - 11:36 pm

Oh my Sharon you are making me want to get on a plane right now! Lovely post!!

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Ideezine April 12, 2012 - 12:24 am

Travel is guided by your soul agenda that's why it speaks so well to answer what your heart asks for…an awesome experience.

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Faye Henry April 12, 2012 - 2:41 am

Love your photos as always.. Such a beautiful place..
I know what you mean about a certain moment that you always relate to that special place..
For me there was the walking upstairs from the subway and stepping onto the sidewalk in Madison Square in New York City… Wow… I will never forget it..

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Katherine April 12, 2012 - 3:06 am

By far, out of everywhere I have traveled, it is France that captured my heart. One day, maybe one day, it will be a spot for a second home for us.

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kim April 12, 2012 - 5:10 am

What beautiful photos, what beautiful words! Your France will be the first place I go should I be granted the privilage of traveling abroad!!!
kim https://whitebarnbasics.blogspot.com/

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Stefy S April 12, 2012 - 7:49 am

Oh yes!!I love travel and possibly took photo… I love walking in the nature.. it's a sweet moment for me and my husbund!! But.. when i cannot travel like I love, I visit many blogs that I know give me lovely sensations…look like from a window into the world..ok I talk too much!!ahah!
Have a lovely day!!

Stefy

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Magnolia Verandah April 12, 2012 - 1:18 pm

I still get excited driving to the airport! I love holidays – all sorts, relaxing resort style and touristy types, trying new things, discovering new places and meeting new people. I am sure everyone that visits your country house leave with fabulous memories.
Love the washing – nothing better that freshly dried washing.

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Country Design Home April 12, 2012 - 1:52 pm

Have done quite a bit of travelling. What's to say about Paris and Normandy…sigh. Would live there if only I could! Your blog images are so lovely and really give a sense of the French countryside. Cannot wait to return.

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Nancy Claeys April 12, 2012 - 7:05 pm

What a truly inspiring post! I do so love the French style of decorating, but alas, my old farmhouse is more shabby chic than chic. 🙂 The photography is lovely and your descriptions make me want to come and visit your special home.

Thank you so much for sharing with us at Rural Thursdays! It's really quite a treat.

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Lisa @ Two Bears Farm April 12, 2012 - 8:07 pm

I'd love to go to France sometime. Your pictures are truly gorgeous!

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Elizabeth Martin April 12, 2012 - 8:27 pm

wow! thats all I can sayy…Wow! 🙂

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Tricia @ Bluff Area Daily April 12, 2012 - 9:25 pm

All beautifully photographed images! =)

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Anne Payne April 12, 2012 - 10:40 pm

All I can say is…wow! I want to live in France 🙂 Thank you for sharing these spectacular photos of your home!

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Beth April 13, 2012 - 3:49 am

great shots. i love, love, love your header photo. really love the yellow flower pic & the church photo. lovely. (:

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Pat April 13, 2012 - 6:43 am

What a lovely country home you have!

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susan vieth April 13, 2012 - 9:26 am

How wonderfully and beautifully you have captured these emotions.

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Lost in Provence April 13, 2012 - 10:38 am

Oh I am glad that I didn't miss this even though I am behind on your blog. As I mentioned, we are on the road for a week and it has been so exceptional even though my honey is working. But just how fantastic to keep the senses keen. To be taking new things in all the time. I found your blog so many eons ago because I was searching for a house to rent in Normandy for a trip that didn't work out–but I still really hope to get there sometime. 🙂
Each part of France has so much to offer…

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SALLY April 14, 2012 - 5:54 am

Catherine, you must live in my city, Houston!!

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SALLY April 14, 2012 - 6:00 am

Sharon, I LOVE your blog! Your photos and descriptions make me
feel like I'm almost…..in France! I've posted many of your pics in my Pinterest file. Everyone loves them!

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gtyyup April 14, 2012 - 8:10 pm

Absolutely beautiful…how nice to visit another country and not leave your home. But, I think going to France in person would be even better of course! Thank you for sharing~

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Looking Glass April 18, 2012 - 6:14 am

Hahaha! In Australia we all hang our washing on a clothes line outside! Tourists find it so strange 🙂

~ Clare x

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Daphne Michaels June 13, 2012 - 2:21 pm

“But here it's just a small village in a quiet valley”—well, generally people take a vacation or travel along with the intention to rest and relax, and that kind of environment could well offer it. Also, that kind of setup very much exudes the culture of your country, which is an important thing for the visitors to feel when they visit another nation.

Daphne Michaels

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Barbara July 6, 2014 - 9:19 pm

In suburban Connecticut it is against the law to hang your laundry outside!

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