driving through normandy

As we were out and about this weekend, we drove through some really pretty villages  and some breathtaking forest.

I thought you may enjoy a little armchair tourism, here are some of the shots I took along the way.

As we drove a little way north from here, they were less stone houses and more bricks and beams.  I love the colours used for the shutters, and the sweet fenced gardens.

The entry to the village church here was quite impressive, and the beautiful house next door, today an antique store, was probably once the church presbytery.

Take a close look at this home made gate.  Can you see all the different things that have been used to make it?    Iron plaques from fireplaces, grills, even a frying pan!

After leaving that village we got back out to open country, and came across these beautiful homes, in the middle of nowhere - so tranquil.

Hope you enjoyed this little bit of rural France to start off your week - en douceur!

Le Manoir de Kerledan, a luxury French B&B

When I showed you pictures of Brittany yesterday, I promised to tell you about a wonderful place to stay.

Le Manoir de Kerledan is more than just a beautiful stop over, it is also the story of how a  talented couple embarked upon a huge and daunting project to create this haven of peace and beauty.

Today Kerledan is all about sweeping gravel drives, manicured gardens, sumptuous bedrooms and fine dining, but when Penny and Peter first found the property it looked .......

more like this .......

and today's beautiful façade looked like this!

It took them years of clearing rubble and bulldozing land to create the picture perfect home and gardens that they own today.

The garden has been created around 'rooms' of colour with hornbeam hedges, a potager, a topiary garden, a croquet lawn and a rose garden, as well as the parkland and walnut garden.  Central to the planting scheme, this rather wonderful wild boar presides, keeping an eye on the perfectly trimmed alleys and lawn.

Indoors, Penny and Peter have created an exceptionally elegant home.  Peter served for many years in the British army, and Penny learnt from their 13 moves how to single handedly furnish and decorate each new home.   They have two children who came to Kerledan with them and who were part of the renovation project, and who today are starting out on their own exciting lives.

The kitchen plays a central role as Penny prepares wonderful dining for their guests.

Guests to Kerledan are welcomed with open fires,

and stunning bedrooms furnished with French antiques and fine linens

Downstairs there is place to relax before dinner, or read the paper after breakfast

or maybe stroll back outside to check on the boar!

 Le Manoir de Kerledan is situated in cenral Brittany and provides a fantastic base for visiting the region.  If you'd like to know more about staying there, just drop Penny a mail, and she'll  give you the details.

all photos thanks to le manoir de kerledan, you ca also visit kerledan on facebook

Restoring old French property

There is something about a barn that appeals to most people.  It can be huge, or modest in size, but it's the combination of the strong walls, the link to the traditional lifestyle and a rural setting that attracts.

For many people, acquiring an old barn and renovating, seems like a economical path to owning a beautiful property.    Economical maybe, but not easy.    To go from this

to this, will never be without its headaches, and heartaches, and misgivings.

What looks quaint and charming, will inevitably prove to be full of woodworm or subsiding, ... or both!

 There are barns and farmhouses waiting to be restored all over France.  Their selling price never seems very high, but when the estimates and bills start to come in, they don't always work out as a very good buy.

Here are just a few that caught my eye, they are easy to find on google images, just type in 'grange à restaurer'.

And if you would like to follow a renovation project through from beginning to end, you'll find this barn interesting

where this sweet young couple seem to be doing everything themselves - a true labour of love!

Happy to be joining up with Tricia's Barn Charm for this post!

An old french farmhouse restored in style

This is French restoration at its stylish and contemporary best.  Traditional and antique pieces are

 used freely but there is nothing antique to the feel of this family home in the South of France.

From a derelict stone farmhouse, the owners have created a chic, comfortable and modern family home.

They haven't been afraid to use colour (just love the three tones of pink on the canapé),

 they have chandeliers in every room, I'd like to see a little more furnishing in this living room,

but let's say that with time that will happen.

The bedrooms are calm and neutral, showing off the wooden beams and stone walls.

Architectural elements are used for fun, like this mantel simply

 posed against the wall instead of as a working fireplace.

But my favourite space is this dining room, low dark ceiling, an odd mix

 of comfy dining chairs and a long table to share.

photos thanks to Cote Ouest magazine

A French chateau for a family day at Chantilly

If you are visiting Paris this year with younger children in tow, you may be wondering what can be found to amuse grown ups and little ones alike.  Here is an idea for you, a few miles north of Paris, the Château de Chantilly and its beautiful Potager des Princes,  racecourse and equestrian museum.

The chateau can be visited inside as well,  it's a fantastic alternative to Versailles because there are not the same unending crowds and queues.

At Chantilly they have really thought about their family clients and offer rowing on the lake, the stables and equestrian museum, a lesson in planting in the potager and they even have rabbit races!  Although I don't know if they take bets :)

Good French family fun!