The Good Life France Newsletter from Versailles!

Bonjour

I hope that you and yours are well.

This week I’m sending you the newsletter from the Palace of Versailles – no not my new home, I’m on my way to Honfleur in Normandy and stopping off at the bling bling castle of France’s Sun King to ogle the sumptuous rooms and research for an article about the most recent discoveries and restorations (more coming up in The Good Life France Magazine).

I first visited this glorious gilded royal residence when I was 14 years old – many years ago – and though I’ve been back many times since, I still find it a thrilling place, to know that I’m standing in rooms where Kings and Queens plotted, planned and partied and where major league historic events galore took place. You can come with me via Instagram where I’ll share photos and videos.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, or rather my little village, everyone is getting prepared for the winter months, I was going to say cooler months but pretty much this entire year has been very cool and very rainy in France. My neighbours are busy packing carrots in sand to store in boxes in cellars and pouring potatoes into sacks to let them sleep in dark, cold rooms. When I get home I’ll be joining in, making chutneys, confitures (jam) and cramming veg and fruit from the garden into freezer bags.

And already we are waiting for the precise moment that raclette is ready to be eaten. As soon as there is a hint of a frost in the air – French people scuttle to the shops en masse to buy mountain cheeses to melt and spread over ham and potatoes – a comforting concoction, its alpine soul food (there’s a recipe for raclette here if you want to give it a go). French etiquette, according to my neighbour Jean-Claude, is that you mustn’t eat raclette until its suitably chilly out, though some can’t help themselves!

Wishing you a Happy Halloween for next week! Yes it is celebrated in France – find out how in our Halloween podcast featuring haunted castles, ghost stories including a wooden leg that walks alone – plus the worst Halloween jokes ever! No app needed – just click & play: Halloween in France

Bisous from Versailles,

Janine
Editor

Read the whole newsletter here

Janine Marsh is Author of My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream, My Four Seasons in France: A Year of the Good Life and Toujours la France: Living the Dream in Rural France all available as ebook, print & audio, on Amazon everywhere & all good bookshops online. Her new book How to be French – a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre, is out now – a look at the French way of life.

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