Catchy overall title. Lots of French people flee Paris, but few Americans do, so I was intrigued when I came across you on substack Friday night..
I began reading with some interest, but once you mentioned the Perche I was really hooked. It's our favorite part of France. We'll be back this spring for a visit.
Saturday morning I finished catching up. I particularly enjoyed reading about your stay in the "big town." R10's ice cream is the best.
I think you said you've found only three decent restaurants? I'd be interested in knowing what your local favorites are, if you don't mind. We have our favorites and I wonder if they are the same.
It goes without saying that your cats are charming.
oh those heating woes got handled before winter was finished. we are now two winters hence and i'm still here.
what a lovely note, thank you!
the big three:
1) cafe des amis in boissy maugis, but they have annoying rules. do not even think of showing up after 1:15. they will not give you any bread until your food comes. if you ask, you will be lectured.
2) villa fol avril in moutiers though the OG chef is on extended maternity leave.
3) i have a soft spot for the hotel du tribunal despite its leroy merlin decor. they have a new sommelier there who is like 17 years old and fantastic.
honorable mention to oiseau oiseau though it's very parisian, with very parisian prices.
Dear Alexandra - well you’ve done it again! I read with an experiential sense of comraderie.
My first years - descending into the Quasimodo murder cave chez moi to examine my very own chitty chitty bang bang. I was engulfed in fear and ran upstairs. Dirt floors - black soot - and 1500 liters of fuel.
I rented out the house a few weeks later to a couple of adventurous gals from the USA.
It was January and they decided the house was too chilly so they navigated the stairs to the cave and cranked the dial on the chauffage up to 75 - 75 C
Long story short they used all the fuel in 3 weeks and then blew out the system because the fuel ran dry.
Lots of eye rolling from my neighbors- as they were mystified that the ladies turned the dial up to 75C
And the first of many chapters on heating a French house…
Thanks for your letters - it makes me feel that I’m not alone on this journey 🙏
thank you so much for this note! i would have killed those people. KILLED. finding people to do big work on your house is not at all easy in the countryside.
Catchy overall title. Lots of French people flee Paris, but few Americans do, so I was intrigued when I came across you on substack Friday night..
I began reading with some interest, but once you mentioned the Perche I was really hooked. It's our favorite part of France. We'll be back this spring for a visit.
Saturday morning I finished catching up. I particularly enjoyed reading about your stay in the "big town." R10's ice cream is the best.
I think you said you've found only three decent restaurants? I'd be interested in knowing what your local favorites are, if you don't mind. We have our favorites and I wonder if they are the same.
It goes without saying that your cats are charming.
Very sorry to read today about your heating woes.
oh those heating woes got handled before winter was finished. we are now two winters hence and i'm still here.
what a lovely note, thank you!
the big three:
1) cafe des amis in boissy maugis, but they have annoying rules. do not even think of showing up after 1:15. they will not give you any bread until your food comes. if you ask, you will be lectured.
2) villa fol avril in moutiers though the OG chef is on extended maternity leave.
3) i have a soft spot for the hotel du tribunal despite its leroy merlin decor. they have a new sommelier there who is like 17 years old and fantastic.
honorable mention to oiseau oiseau though it's very parisian, with very parisian prices.
Dear Alexandra - well you’ve done it again! I read with an experiential sense of comraderie.
My first years - descending into the Quasimodo murder cave chez moi to examine my very own chitty chitty bang bang. I was engulfed in fear and ran upstairs. Dirt floors - black soot - and 1500 liters of fuel.
I rented out the house a few weeks later to a couple of adventurous gals from the USA.
It was January and they decided the house was too chilly so they navigated the stairs to the cave and cranked the dial on the chauffage up to 75 - 75 C
Long story short they used all the fuel in 3 weeks and then blew out the system because the fuel ran dry.
Lots of eye rolling from my neighbors- as they were mystified that the ladies turned the dial up to 75C
And the first of many chapters on heating a French house…
Thanks for your letters - it makes me feel that I’m not alone on this journey 🙏
thank you so much for this note! i would have killed those people. KILLED. finding people to do big work on your house is not at all easy in the countryside.