JOIE DE VIVRE CLICK OF THE MONTH
TRUSTEDHOUSESITTERS.COM French icon
This platform connects homeowners with house sitters, providing an affordable way for people to travel and experience new places. Some listings provide opportunities to care for pets in exchange for free accommodation, while others have no pets but facilitate long-term house-sitting assignments. This mutually beneficial arrangement means house sitters can live like locals while owners have the peace of mind of a well-maintained home and a lovingly cared-for pet.
Discover some of France’s most fascinating icons
HERMÈS Since its establishment in 1837 by Thierry Hermès in Paris, the house of Hermès has epitomised French excellence and refinement. Initially specialising in equestrian and carriage goods including harnesses and saddles, the brand quickly diversified to offer clothing, accessories and perfumes. Thierry’s son, Charles-Émile Hermès, expanded the business to include an emblematic store
on Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré, marking a pivotal moment in the brand’s growth, while the family’s visionary member, Émile Hermès, further diversified the business by introducing luggage, handbags and other leather goods. Each product reflects meticulous attention to detail and is craſted by the same France-based artisan from start to finish, ensuring consistency and exceptional quality. Birkin bags, introduced in 1981, and Kelly bags, an older design from the early 1900s, are made
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by a single designer who assembles each bag from scratch. Their exclusivity stems from their limited availability and high prices, ranging from €9,000 to over €250,000. They are not easily accessible to the general public; acquiring a Birkin or Kelly bag can be a challenging task that oſten involves long waiting lists and a requirement for customers to have a purchase history with the brand before being offered one. As of December 2023, the Hermès family is reportedly Europe’s richest, with a combined
fortune of €138bn. Now in its sixth generation, the family has continued to prioritise quality and refinement, ensuring the brand’s legacy. Their iconic products are elegant and exclusive, making Hermès an example of a luxury brand that has not fallen victim to mass production or celebrity endorsements to boost sales at the cost of quality.
What to drink…
Each month, we take a look at a different French drink. This month, Condrieu...
Condrieu is a renowned white wine appellation in the northern Rhône valley of France, known for its exceptional Viognier-based wines. This small but prestigious wine region has a long and storied history, dating back to the Roman era, and has experienced a remarkable renaissance in recent decades. The Condrieu appellation is located on the western bank of the
IDIOM
“Ne pas avoir un radis”
1. To be clueless 2. To be poor
3. To be confident answers p98
Rhône river, just south of the Côte-Rôtie region. The vineyards are situated on steep, terraced hillsides with a predominantly south- facing aspect, helping protect the vines from the cool northern winds and providing optimal sun exposure for ripening the grapes. The best Condrieu wines are known for their purity,
concentration, and textural richness, with a balance of ripe fruit flavours and refreshing acidity. The small size of the Condrieu appellation, with only around
135 hectares of planted vines, contributes to its exclusivity and the high prices of its wines. However, this also means that the best producers, such as Guigal, Rene Rostaing, and Georges Vernay, have been able to establish Condrieu as one of the most prestigious and sought-aſter white wine appellations in the world.
96 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: May/June 2024
©SABELSKAYA – ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
©CHRISTOPHER MOESTUE ©HERMES ©SHUTTERSTOCK
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