Bonjour mes amis!
After a fair bit of snow at the end of January it’s starting to feel a bit spring–like in most of France although there’s still plenty of time for more snow and cold spells!
We don’t let the weather stop us here at The Good Life France though and we’ve got some really great features and interviews to share with you.
People
We were thrilled to interview Matthew Feroze, a young English accountant working for the Civil Service in London who took 2 years off work to follow a dream – a cheese dream! His cheese hobby led to a job with a top cheese firm and he has just won the most prestigious cheesemonger award in France.
We talked to expat Brit Cathy Henton of Le Tasting Room in the Loire Valley about wine and what it’s like to set up a wine business in France.
Gastronomy
Matthew Feroze, France’s top cheesemonger gave us his top 25 cheeses for the perfect cheese board – and great tasting notes!
We’re working on our Valentine’s Day recipes and added two new great desserts – Coeur a la crème and Tarte aux pralines roses – so easy to make but you’ll definitely impress with them. Plus, a wine exert tells us what wines are great to drink for Valentine’s Day.
I made duck in red wine and crème de cassis – my favourite cooking lesson so far!
Arts & Literature
We reviewed: Carol Drinkwater’s Olive Series – we interviewed Carol earlier in the year); Deborah Lawrenson’s The Lantern – we also interviewed Deborah; John Dummer’s Serge Bastarde Ate my Baguette and interviewed John.
This month we’re offering a signed copy of The Lantern by best-selling British author Deborah Lawrenson – just click to find out how to enter a prize draw!
We also remembered Colette – the great French writer who was born 140 years ago this month – what a fabulous story hers is.
The Pinacothèque Museum in Paris has a fabulous double exhibition – Van Gogh and Hiroshige – the great Dutch painter professed himself much influenced by the art of Japan and the wonderful art on show certainly illustrates that.
More
We’re adding to our property, building and renovation, living in France and holiday pages so don’t forget to check us out.
Events coming up in France: Dunkirk Carnival, Festival of Mimosa, Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival plus a whole lot more – check out our monthly events guide and if we’re missing something you love please let us know – we’ll update our guides!
You can keep up with us on Twitter and Facebook too – we love talking to you!
Best wishes,
A bientôt
Janine
