WINTER 2022/23 THE GUIDE


workshop in Bracieux, in the Loir-et-Cher department, he guides visitors through the various tastes and aromas of chocolate from Venezuela, Ecuador, Madagascar, the Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, São Tomé, Tanzania, Uganda, Peru, Vietnam, Brazil and Mexico. And if you can’t make it in person, you can always buy from his online shop. Chocoholics beware! www.maxvauche-chocolatier.com


Treat a loved one to some luxury soap from Château du Savon


all sorts of Christmas gift recommendations, from wine and cheese (naturellement) to chocolate and wooden clocks.


Distilleries et Domaines de Provence


“In the heart of rural Provence, in an authentic setting between mountains and scrubland, Distilleries et Domaines de Provence lovingly rewrites the recipes for its aperitifs and spirits.” So says this wonderful distillery in the Provençal town of Forcalquier, which offers pastis, absinthe, eaux de vie, liqueurs, gins, vermouths and much more. Distillery visits with – bien sûr – free tastings are available to book. www.distilleries-provence.com


Amanda’s Wines


What started off as a hobby has now grown into a “fully fl edged, time-consuming, business”. Set up in 2007 by British sisters Amanda and Susanne, Amanda’s Wines selects choice wines from independent vineyards in the Loire Valley – including some beautiful examples of Sancerre, Saumur, Crémant de Loire, Touraine and Vouvray – and delivers them to customers in the UK. Amanda says she is “dedicated to helping wine lovers, bored with uninteresting wines, discover our delicious unoaked wines”. www.amandaswines.co.uk


Château du Savon Lifelong Francophiles, the owners of this British company source the fi nest natural soaps in France, bringing them across the Channel for us rosbifs. There’s an amazing range on offer, from hair, skin and body soap, to travel soap, household soap and soap on a rope – all delivered in planet-friendly, plastic-free, biodegradable packaging. chateaudusavon.com


Cheese to your door As anyone who has driven back from France with fragrant fromage in the car boot will know, transporting cheese long-distance is a tricky business. One French company which will help you out of this whiffy problem is fromages.com, who will deliver up to 122 different varieties of (mainly French) cheeses, as well as some very inspiring cheeseboard selections. Our favourite is the Tour de France, which includes a Brie de Meaux, a mini Rouelle cendrée, a Selles-sur-Cher, a Pont-l’Évêque, a Comté and a Fourme d’Ambert. The cheeses are sent in an isothermal wrapping to keep them cold during transportation. www.fromages.com


Max Vauché chocolatier Artisan chocolatier Max Vauché is as serious about his chocolate as the greatest oenophiles are about their wines. At his


2023 calendar Time to plan ahead for next year. This 2023 France calendar is produced by the publishers of France Today and features 14 beautiful photographs from all over l’Hexagone. It includes the French school and public holidays, fêtes and saints’ days, as well as ample space for notes and reminders. There’s even a


boards and plates to ashtrays, clocks and address signs – all handmade in their 200m2


They also offer a custom furniture-making service. www.creationsenbois.com


Aimee’s French Market Enjoy a French marketplace experience from the comfort of your home. When you browse the online stalls, you’ll fi nd French market décor, gift boxes and authentic items from France. All items are hand-selected, and the team do their best to procure vintage items and unique products from local artisans. www.AimeesFrenchMarket.com


Steal a march on 2023 with this beautiful France calendar


forward planner for 2024. Now, that is organised. francemedia.shop/products/ france-calendar-2023


Woodcraft gifts Toulon-based business Creations en Bois makes all sorts of wooden homeware gifts, from chopping


Christmas shopping at Galeries Lafayette For the ultimate in Parisian fashion, head for Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann, in Paris’s 9th arrondissement. At Christmas time, your eyes will positively boggle at the clothes, perfume and luxury goods on offer, all beneath that famous glass and steel dome, and overlooked by the beautiful Art Nouveau staircases. The festive window displays and stunning Christmas tree are legendary and will inject festive spirit into even the most humbug of visitors. Be sure to take a breather on the panoramic rooftop for some of the best views in Paris. Just down the road is the Lafayette Maison and Gourmet store for homewares and luxury food and wine. www.galerieslafayette.com FT


studio.


Galeries Lafayette’s Christmas displays are one of the highlights of the festive season Oct/Nov 2022 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 145


IMAGES © GALERIES LAFAYETTE, FMG, CHÂTEAU DU SAVON


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