It took us a few weeks to move into our home in Burgundy, with the bulk of our possessions delivered by professional movers mid-November (see my last post if you're curious how moving is done in France). Some things we had to take care of ourselves. Our moving guy took one look at my collection of fragile "globes de mariée" and categorically refused to touch them. They would not survive... (btw, I swore it was my last move... I think it was my 8th or 9th one...). So we lived in Lyon for a couple more months after we received the keys to the house. I was musing over what I would change in it, what the garden should look like, what colors can be used in the rooms. I saved countless images on Pinterest. But after we actually started living in our house, it dictated its own wishes. It is true that one needs to live in the space for a while to see how the light falls, how the rooms are used, which rooms face the east, and which the west, and a myriad of other considerations. Same is true for the garden. They say to observe it for a year before changing anything. In my case, I plan to create a "potager" and a flower garden where the large areas of grass and weeds grow. The beginning of the "potager" has been started this year. As for the rest, I decided to give it indeed a year. I am still identifying shrubs, and plants that just began to grow and bloom this spring. When I clean around the bushes, trimming them, removing fallen branches, I am discovering old overgrown garden markers, outlines of old paths, that might have been there for a very long time, overgrown by grass and weeds. As well as other plants that got "lost" in between of overgrowth, and now can get more light and air, with the hope to help them thrive again. In February our lawn became covered with blooming primroses. So now I know that in order to save them from being dug up when we prepare the garden beds, I may want to replant them to other nooks and crannies of the garden. Over the months we've been here the house "told" us what it wants. It is over 200 years old, and evolved over the years, but retaining many original details and the main layout. Sitting in a small burgundian village, amid the fields, it is neither a cottage, nor a farmhouse. It maybe described as a "maison de maître", a bit "bourgeois", but not too formal either. The style is somewhat hard to define. It has some quirky details, some can be changed, some are there to stay, and we have to just start loving them. It is obvious that it was once a home for a prominent family in the village, given its size and the central location. At some point we would like to find out more about the history of this place. One can go to the archives, probably in Nevers, to look at old documents. I hope to make it a small project once I have a little bit more time on my hands... Although the house is proportionate and well laid out, there are some oddities here and there that can't be explained, or changed. For example, with generous proportions of the main rooms, the house has a curiously oddly shaped entrance. Was it like this originally? Maybe it was. We will make the best of it. Another thing to love is a long and narrow corridor leading from front to back of the house. Having been divided into two residences sometime in the 1950s, the only way to access the big garden in the back is through this corridor. It divides the kitchen from the "salle a manger" and the salon. Everyone, including us in the beginning, first considers it a waste of space. We were planning to remove its wall on the kitchen side. However after using it everyday we realized that without it all the dirt from the outside would end up in the kitchen. And we would lose a wall in the kitchen - a very valuable wall on which I would like to have floor to ceiling tall cabinets, where I can display my pottery collection. So the corridor stays. And we will need to love the other quirks. If we wanted everything just perfect, we would build a new house from the ground up. I always say if you want a new house don't buy an old one and try to change it. I am not saying you must live without electricity and canalization, but there is a reason to buying an old house. They don't make them like this anymore. Without the irreplaceable features and elements it becomes just another empty characterless box. This old house has a soul, which must be preserved. I refrained from showing a lot of pictures of the inside of the house (these will be coming soon, I promise!). The way it is now one needs some imagination to see the final result after all the work is done. One thing is certain - we both love old houses with character, and want to give this one back it's luminosity and warmth. One way to do it is to keep the elements in harmony with one another. In tandem with our architect we are working on the plans to make the house a comfortable place to live in the 21st century, while honoring its history and charm, and preserving its soul. We want to reuse as many details of the house as possible - this even includes a sink in the kitchen and all the beautiful early 20th century porcelain and ebony doorknobs. We are even thinking about re-using old doors we found in the attic, if they are in good condition. Irreplaceable charm of the old - the stone, the hues of wood, even the door handles I am waiting impatiently when the actual work will be scheduled. But as they say - measure twice and cut once! I would hate to agree to something of which I am uncertain just to change my mind later. Or be unsatisfied, and make a costly changes after that. But we are out of the "dreaming" stage, and onto the "planning" one, so we feel pretty good about this progress. With longer and warmer days it is a joy to be here, and we are learning more and more about this house. Next time I will be able to give you more details how things are progressing, and share some images of the inside - the plans are almost done! Thank you for following along. Questions and comments are welcome. To be continued... xoxo Joanna

We left off at the moment when we decided to buy our house. That was almost a year ago. As I mentioned, it takes a very long time to close on a real estate transaction in France. Especially when you encounter August... because absolutely nothing happens in the month of August. If you tried to do anything (other than going away) during this month, you know. I will digress - when we moved to France in 2018, we purchased a bed. We were told it will take about 6 weeks to be delivered. So far so good, we thought. We were still in our Air B&B we rented for our first weeks in Lyon, so in six weeks time our bed could be delivered to our more permanent rental apartment we have just found. We overlapped the two rentals to be sure we have a nicely furnished apartment to move into. How wrong we were! It took six weeks PLUS the month of August for the bed to come to us. We had to leave our temporary rental, and ended up sleeping on the floor (albeit a beautiful "parquet" hardwood floor) for over a week. We got a call that the delivery is ready on September 1st. Live and learn! Now back to where we left off. Summer of 2023 was a busy one. While the skies of Lyon were oozing heat at historic heights, I was arranging for movers estimates, searching for an English speaking notary who could help us with this real estate transaction, and calling around to find an architect willing to take on our renovation project. I will not go into the details of the French real estate transaction process unless asked. We did have an excellent bilingual notary, thanks to a friend who knows absolutely everyone in Lyon, and helped us out many times. Even if you think your French is very good, I strongly urge you to employ an English speaking notary, or have a bilingual friend help you out with all the documents and communication. We asked around for moving companies recommendations. Attention, we are entering another saga! In France, when you live in an apartment building on a higher floor, it is very common that your possessions enter and exit your apartment through a window. A big truck with a lift parks below, and all the furniture, boxes, etc. get transported to, or from your window. This is the way it worked when we moved in. Two years after our move-in the city of Lyon started transforming a lot of streets in the center of town into pedestrian only zones. The street below our windows was under way of becoming a no traffic zone... The "mairie" (town hall) categorically refused issuing a permit to park a truck in the street, or block it while we were moving. We were looking at extra costs to have our possessions moved by workers in a teeny tiny elevator and the narrow stairway of our building. At that time I narrowed my search down to two moving companies. The first one was more expensive, and the lady who visited to give us an estimate wore huge Dior glasses (kind of intimidating) and had a mannerism of a "gendarme". I was willing to forgive her bossing me around, but her estimate was almost double the estimate of the company we chose at the end. And she didn't seem to be able to tell us anything about how to go around the "no parking" situation. For her it was a "fait accompli", this is the way it is, she wouldn't try to help us fight "the city hall"! The movers we decided to hire were local (Fontaine Demenagement), and knew the city like the back of their hand. Their representative was professional, straightforward, and it looked like he knew what he was talking about. But the same problem remained - we still needed the permission of the "mairie" to block the street for the lift and the moving truck. The company rep was shaking his head. It looked hopeless. However I was not giving up. And neither did he! "Monsieur" - I asked him - "when we were moving in, all our possessions, including the furniture, came in through our window. The boxes can go out via stairs, but I doubt that my furniture would fit. Could you present it to the powers that be at the "mairie" in this way?". This argument seemed to work, and we got our permit, provided that we moved out on a Wednesday morning. This I could work with. Sometimes when you get a "no', you need to ask and ask again till you get to a "maybe", and then a "yes". You may remember that we were buying a house that needed renovations. Seriously. It was habitable, but it needed some work. In some areas the work was cosmetic, in some we were looking at the task of moving walls, installing canalization, putting down new flooring. We needed an architect. In France you don't have to hire an architect for every home improvement project. But we decided from the start that the only way for us would be to work with one. We needed someone specifically to be also a "maitre d'oeuvre", that is a project manager. One can hire an architect to draw the plans, and that's it, the rest is up to you. You can hire your own "equipe" (crew), or you can work on the project yourself. For a myriad of reasons this solution wouldn't be for us. We needed someone to help us with the project from A to Z. We needed a French speaking professional who could communicate with the crews, and represent our interests. We had a couple of names of architectural firms from a friend who recently finished renovating their house. But these firms were too far from our village. They recommended we look closer to where we were going to be. So not only I had to comb the web for someone closer to our zip code, but I needed to make sure that they specialize in what we were looking for. While speaking French of course! I spent many hours on the internet looking at websites, completed projects that would represent the aesthetics of the firm, calling around. After a few weeks (right before France shut down to go on vacation, see my digression regarding the month of August above), I managed to find two agencies who were interested in our house restoration project, and were willing to meet with us. August came, a sweaty summer in the city continued. We continued packing the boxes, getting things organized. The weeks of summer vacation slipped by - the vacation was for the rest of the world it seemed, but not for us. But finally the last week of the month came, bringing with it more open businesses, school kids coming back from vacation, the restaurants reopening, and tourists slowly leaving the city. The very hot summer was nearing an end. We were living surrounded by towers of boxes. Many evenings were spent with friends who were happy that we found a place to call home, but sad that we were leaving Lyon. Some of them couldn't understand why we were leaving the city life. Some of them were concerned. But mostly they tried to share our excitement for the chapter that we were just about to start. And finally having a home. Not a rental apartment, but a place that we could make our own. After over five years of living in France we still had boxes that were never unpacked. I haven't seen my art collection in years, Jim wanted to set up a woodworking workshop, I wanted to garden. Above all we yearned for some tranquility. If we wanted the city life, we would come to it. To be continued.... Thank you for following along! xoxo Joanna

Once you have bought (or fell in love with) your first ironstone piece, the obsession to collect it starts. Plates, sugar bowls, tureens... Chipped, stained, cracked... It doesn't matter how usable it is, the beauty of vintage and antique ironstone pieces becomes a lifetime "idée fixe". Those who caught the "bug" want their shelves filled with piles and piles of dreamy "terre de fer". The vintage ironstone pieces are all unique, and getting scarce as time goes by, but they are still one of the easiest way to add that French country flair to your home. What is ironstone? In brief, ironstone is porous earthenware, made of clay mixed with feldspar, patented in early 19th century by Charles James Mason in Staffordshire, England. It was developed in efforts to find a substitute for porcelain that could be mass-produced for the cheaper market. Needless to say, it was an immediate success, and ironstone blanks were decorated with transfer patterns or hand painting to imitate Chinese porcelain. What's in the name? There is no iron in ironstone. It was named for its durability. What to look for when you shop for ironstone, and how to recognize it? Weight - when you take a piece of ironstone in your hand, it will always feel heavy. The sides of the ironstone piece will be thick, unlike the piece made of porcelain. Ironstone is stoneware that has been produced to feature a thinner and more refined appearance. It often looks like porcelain, but is sturdier and more durable. It is also more opaque, and it can be bright white or creamy colored. Condition - when it ages, the glaze on ironstone pieces develops cracking, and some pieces start getting "tea stains" - these just add the charm and character! If you find a wonderful ironstone piece do not be deterred by a chip here and there. Many covetable antique dishes have lived, were used, and will have these signs of time. Makers mark - most, but not all, ironstone is marked with a stamp on the bottom that is printed, impressed or both. In France the ironstone pieces are often stamped "terre de fer" underneath. The leading names of the ironstone "manufacture" are (or were) Sarreguemines, Digoin, Longchamp, H B & Cie, St Amand & Hamage, Choissy le Roi, Salins, Boulenger, and more. Each one with their own distinct makers mark which has changed over the years. There are many online resources that will help you to identify the age of the piece just by the look of the stamp underneath. When you look for ironstone in France, you will see many faience pieces as well. Faience and ironstone are not the same (although often made by the same "manufacture"). Faience is earthenware glazed with a tin-based slip and often decorated with hand-painted motifs. Glaze is a liquid coating applied to ceramic ware before it is fired in the kiln. Ironstone (as we know) is a thick, heavy earthenware noted for its strength and white, porcelain-like appearance. You will also see some pieces stamped "porcelaine opaque", which improperly designates certain fine earthenware made from kaolin and feldspar. It also takes the name of half-porcelain. So - what to collect? Pitchers, platters, cake stands, compotes, tureens, cups, plates... All white, or adorned with transferware patterns. You can focus on just white, but why limit yourself. Mismatched motives look so beautiful together! Collect what your heart desires! How to care for your ironstone collection? I always recommend hand washing your ironstone pieces. Modern dishwashers have higher temperatures that many older pieces can withstand. To keep your lovely finds looking good, hand wash them, and dry with a soft towel. Don't use bleach, which can penetrate the glaze, dissolve it, eventually cause the clay to crumble and disintegrate. For ironstone aficionados every piece in their collection is special. There is often a story to how a piece was found. Once it is in your home, that's it, it stays forever! Do share with me your favorite pieces, I am curious what makes your "ironstone heart" sing. À bientôt! For the current selection of French vintage and antique ironstone at My French Maison boutique please click HERE.

The pandemic put a cruel twist on all our lives, so crying over not being able to travel and staying put in Lyon for months would be a selfish act. So I am not going to do that. I am going to do a happy dance that I was fortunate to take a few days in the beautiful Villeneuve-lez-Avignon! I have been a few times to Avignon, but this time I decided to stay and spend more time across the river Rhone, in Villeneuve-Lez-Avignon. I craved quiet, greenery, long walks in the narrow medieval streets... With Avignon nearby, it was easy to take a train from Lyon, which takes just about an hour and a half, and a bus from the station took me right to the tourist office in Villeneuve. From there, there were just a few steps to Le Cloitre du Couvent, a charming b&b where I booked a room for a couple nights. Let me invite you to a virtual stroll around Villeneuve Les Avignon - there is beauty on every corner in this charming little town. Next time you are in France, and your path will take you to Provence and Avignon, consider taking a detour here... The town dates back to the Middle Ages, and lies beneath the impressive, and imposing Fort St.-Andre. Another must see is the Chartreuse de Villeneuve convent, with its cloisters and an arts center. But even if you don't want to do the touristy things, just wandering around this gem of a little town is a delight. Don't forget to stop and notice the little details, look into gates, wander into passages, and let yourself be lost. Nothing is very far from a cafe or a restaurant here. I was lucky - the outdoor spaces are allowed to open again, so I was able to taste some delicious food, and refuel with cups of espresso. If you are in Villeneuve on a Saturday, the morning flea market is something not to be missed (that is, if you're into this kind of thing, but you probably are, since you're reading this blog!). The flea market is at the foot of the Fort St-Andre, and I am told it is spectacular. One day.... There is so much to see in such a small place - but no need to rush, it is OK to just wander around and be... I hope you will take a look across the Rhone when you are in Avignon and discover this charming place! You know I am hooked - and it is likely I will be back. - Joanna

If you have been following me here for a while, you know that brocante is my life - I dream, live and breath "les puces". When did it start? Hard to tell. It may be something in the genes, maybe the love of old things, or a fascination with history, and objects that are unique and one of a kind. The love of the hunt gets me up at the wee hours on a weekend, and I can talk about it forever! After I moved to France I quickly "sniffed out" the closest "flea" and the rest is history. Was it easy? Absolutely not. My French was basic at best (and even now, frankly, sometimes even the simplest expressions can leave me unexpectedly), and the rules of the French flea, while somewhat universal, were full of surprises. Even for the French a visit at les puces (the flea market) can be overwhelming and intimidating. But it doesn't have to be! For me a twice weekly escapade to the flea in Lyon is a fun and exhilarating experience. (side note - at the time of publishing France is in its third confinement, meaning all flea markets are closed...) As I said, my visits to les puces were (and still are) full of surprises. Mostly delightful! After seeing my face a few times, the vendors were starting conversations, asking questions about where I am from, and we quickly became friends and acquaintances. Flea market visits morphed into chats over many small cups of espresso, sometimes enhanced by a glass of wine (yes, in the morning!), a slice of brioche, saucisson, a fistful of garden grown strawberries... But to the point - how to have a great visit at a French flea market? How to make a day at les puces a delightful adventure (and score something wonderful to bring home from your French vacation)? Here are a few tips: - Go early. Yes, I know, it may be a weekend, or your vacation, but going really early is key. Most flea markets are set up by 7 AM. Be there around 8, and you will find the place is crowded already. Sleep in, and you may be disappointed - many vendors that come in for a day may be packing already, and oftentimes the best finds are already gone... - Wear comfortable shoes, and dress for the weather. Dress in layers. Keep in mind that you might get dirty... A hat in summer (and sunblock), hat, gloves, and scarf in winter will save you. I always bring an umbrella and a bottle of water. But - don't dress like a hobo. The European crowd can be nicely dressed even at les puces. - Bring something to carry your purchases home. Bags, or even a wheelie if you can. Even something that seems light starts weighing down your arm after a few hours... - Bring cash - few vendors can take credit cards as payment, and you may get a better deal by paying cash anyway. Small bills and coins please! There is usually no ATM close by... - Bring a French speaking friend - or at best, know key phrases (I have listed some at the bottom of the post). Knowledge of French numbers helps, a lot. Some vendors will speak a few words of English, but don't count on it. And - you will possibly have a better experience if you have someone to show you around anyway. - Bring good manners - saying Bonjour is a must. When something interests me, I say Bonjour Monsieur/Madame before I touch the item. I smile (even now from behind the mask), I ask questions about the provenance, sometimes we chat a little before the transaction is completed. For many these encounters are not just about making a sale - it is about the overall atmosphere of les puces. Meeting like minded people. Learning about interesting objects and interesting people. Always say "merci" and "bonne journée"even if you don't purchase anything. - Leave your Rolex at home - while looking like a hobo is not encouraged, don't be flashy... - Bring a snack, and hydrate - it's important to keep your energy up. You may not be able, or want to, sit down to a meal in the middle of an exciting expedition. The time to have a coffee and/or a meal is after... I always have breakfast and coffee before I leave for les puces, and I always bring water with me. - Yes, you can bargain - but be reasonable. If you know what you're looking for, do your research and familiarize yourself with prices of such objects. This way you know what to expect, and whether you are getting a good deal. If something is priced at one euro, offering less is, well, cheap... non? If you buy a few items at one vendor you will usually get a better deal. - But if you spot something you love, and the price is a little bit too high, think long and hard before you walk away. I speak from experience. I still dream of the objects that got away because I couldn't make up my mind fast enough... - Just because you see it at a French brocante market, doesn't mean that its is French, or is old... I have seen many objects with an "Ikea" logo, or "made in China"... so be aware, and always turn the object over to look at the markings - Stay focused - the flea is full of randomness. As the saying goes - "one man's trash is another's treasure". If you came for the overall experience, relax and enjoy. But if you are looking for a specific item, or items for your collection, it is easy to get distracted. Some flea markets have permanent stalls, or even boutiques, so you can do your homework beforehand, and visit just those that interest you. Otherwise skip those that don't have anything that catches your eye right away. Usually there are hundreds of exhibitors, and kilometers to cover, so focus is key! - Be careful - pick pockets are everywhere... Hide your money, wear a cross body bag with a zipper, don't leave your purchases unattended. - Lastly - be nice! Say "bonjour", "merci", "bonne journée". Smiling never hurts. People are generally super nice at les puces, and curious of the foreigners. And have fun! I doubt you will leave empty handed. Oh, last but not least - make sure you are able to carry your purchases home! Here is a bit of French flea market vocabulary that might help: marche aux puces, les puces = flea market brocante = another word for a flea market un brocanteur, une brocanteuse = a flea market seller chiner = bargain hunting bon chine! = have a good time bargain hunting! payer en liquide = to pay in cash un stand = a booth objects d'occasion = second hand goods bric a brac = this and that, knick knacks vide-greniers = yard sale, garage sale braderie = a grand street fair bon marché = cheap, low priced "un cadeau" = literally "a gift"; in a flea market jargon, it means something priced so low that it is practically a gift cher(e) = expensive bon chance! = good luck! vendu(e) = sold Combien? = How much? C'est combien s'il vous plait? Quel est votre prix? = How much is it? What is your price? C'est votre meilleur prix? = Is this your best price? Peut-on trouver une bonne affaire? = Can we strike a bargain? C'est trop cher pour moi = it's too expensive for me D'accord, merci! - OK, thank you! Merci! Bonne journée Monsieur/Madame! Au revoir! = Thank you! Have a nice day! Good bye! Our favorite merchants at Les Puces Du Canal (among many many others): @lestresorsdedadou @maoantiques @vialemariejo @victors_secrets_antiques @brocantepatriciasamoilikoff @la_grabotte @colorhavana @marinebigatin @jean_marc_chineur_du_canal @brocante_corinne

By definition "collecting" is to bring together into one body or place, to gather an accumulation of (objects) especially as a hobby. (by Merriam-Webster). "Collecting" is to be constantly (and obsessively) searching for seemingly unnecessary objects, which we desire and dream about, and search for at various vide greniers, les puces, old attics, basements, rummage sales, charity shops, and the internet (by My French Maison) I am writing this during the time when most of the world is in some form of confinement. When we have to stay in our own spaces to prevent the spread of the virus. While I'm not happy with the state of the world, I am happy that I have been collecting, sometimes accused of obsessive collecting, amassing? hoarding? so many pieces of china, linen, silverware, art work, that now bring joy to me, and help me stay chez moi... In my life I claim that every lovely object I bring home has a purpose. Is it surely questionable how many plates one has use for in one's life... Is it really necessary to have stacks of antique linen? And how about bunches of silverware standing in multiple pots on the counter, while one can get by with just a fork and as spoon? My husband accused me of hoarding, but how can I pass by a stack of gorgeous dishes that I am positive I cannot live without? How can I live without the pleasing view of linen kitchen towels among gleaming silver in the kitchen? In my home every piece has a story. I can tell you exactly where I found each painting, conversations I had with the vendor of lovely linens I treasure, and I can still recall it was raining the morning I hauled a big ironstone pail home. Come to think of it everyone is a collector - even those who lead minimalistic lives collect something. Travel photographs, spices arranged in identical containers in neat rows, multiples of black shoes in neatly arranged closet... Some collections take more room than others, as many of us vintage hunters need to admit. But all of them have a power to make us feel more pleased with a day to day. Books, plants, baskets... Transferware dishes, old silver, textiles...What are your favorite things to look for, what is your "secret" obsession for which you are willing to get up before dawn? Do share! - by Joanna #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #collecting #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarketdecor #vintagehome

For our Part 3 of Summer Staycation we invite you to a Lyon quartier south of Place Bellecour - Ainay. Whenever I get off the metro, and start down Rue August Comte, I feel like I just stepped into another world. Everything suddenly slows down just a bit, it is quieter... We walk down narrow cobblestoned streets, past small boutiques, art galleries, antique shops... It is a more residential district, with inner courtyards, small restaurants tucked away at corners, and narrow sidewalks. Whenever we have visitors in Lyon, we always take them there, to wander around, sip a cup of coffee in a little bistro, and to visit Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs. It is a textile and decorative art museum housed in two beautiful hôtels particuliers. The collections are breathtaking, very well worth a visit, especially for those who dabble in vintage and antique home decor. But most often I go to stroll around, and get inspired. Take a look around with me! But although it feels like we're far from the busy part of Lyon, we're actually not. Continue walking down and you find yourself by Gare Perrache, another big Lyon train station. And further down to the tip of the peninsula and you see an entirely different world - sleek and modern, with Musée des Confluences crowning it. But that's a story for a new chapter of our blog. This is the last "staycation" part for this year - you can read Part One HERE, and Part Two HERE. Thank you for being a part of our virtual walks in Lyon! -by Joanna #lyon #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #travelsinfrance #armchairtraveler #staycation

Although I have lived in Lyon for two years now, with my husband and our dog, and we have seen the major sites, we mostly keep to our own residential quartier. That's how it goes when you settle in, you run your errands, go to cafes and restaurants, and shops, close to home. Before the pandemic we went out of town to other regions of France at least once a month, and although during the "deconfinement' we are free to travel, we have chosen to stay in Lyon this summer. We are not complaining - Lyon is a wonderful town to live in, and we have not seen most of it yet. The public transportation can take you to the farthest corners, and a lot can be done on foot as well. This summer we will explore our adoptive city a bit more. Recently we have taken an afternoon to take another look around the area of Place Bellecour. Centrally located on La Presquille, it is the kilometer 0 of Lyon: all distances are counted from this point. With the Rhone to the east, the Saone to the west, one of the oldest districts of Lyon, Ainay, to the south, and the Croix Rousse to the north. In pre-pandemic times when we had visitors who never had the pleasure to see Lyon before, Place Bellecour was the first thing we showed them. Now you are our virtual guests - follow us on this stroll! We can start with the tourist office which is housed in this stylish pavilion. There are two identical ones in the square, its twin houses an art gallery. La Place Bellecour is one of the largest public squares in Europe. The equestrian statue you see in the middle of the square is of King Louis XIV. The basilica you see above on a hill is the famous Fourvière. The tower next to it looks like a replica of the Eiffel Tower, and is simply called La Tour métallique. When you get tired looking around, here is a perfect spot to catch your breath! In summer months this is the place in the south part of the square to rest your feet. Place Bellecour is surrounded by rows of old buildings, each one different, each one with beautiful details. From the Place I like heading over to Ainay, a quartier just south of the square, to get lost in the gauntlet of little street, full of bookstores, art galleries, and cafes. It's has a Parisian feel to it, a little bit like Saint Germain. Or one can walk just a few steps toward the Saone, and across a bridge (there a many, you can pick and choose!), and suddenly we are in Vieux Lyon - but that's another "chapter"of our virtual trip. Thank you for strolling around with us - till next time - À bientôt! - by Joanna #lyon #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #travelsinfrance #armchairtraveler #staycation

We have never met a (vintage) wicker basket we didn't love. With hues in a soothing palette of beiges and grays, a variety of shapes, they are good looking catch-alls for household "detritus". They hide and at the same time display the most mundane objects in a charming way. From laundry, to magazines, to casual displays of flowers, fruits, toys, collections, torchons... In the kitchen, office, bathroom... The modern ones are great, but the antique ones are better. When you find the one you fall for, grab it! We always search for the loveliest ones for our shop - for our current selection of wicker baskets in the shop please click HERE, HERE, and HERE. A bientôt! #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #organizedhome #frenchlife #wickerbaskets

At the end of our first "staycation" post (you can read it HERE), we left you by the river Saone. After we visited Place Bellecour, we headed west toward Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon). If you are ever in Vieux Lyon in person be sure to bring comfortable shoes because you will be walking over cobblestones. A LOT. It is Lyon's oldest district and one of Europe's biggest Renaissance neighbourhoods. It is also one of the most atmospheric places I know in Lyon - whenever I come here I feel like I'm on vacation, even if it is for an hour or two. Although it's just a skip and a hop from my "quartier", mentally I feel like I'm not only far away but in a different era. I am not even going to attempt a history lesson here. It is rich, layered, and fascinating. But I would love to take you with me on a stroll down small cobblestone streets (as I said!), and give you an idea what a beautiful place it is. Even with crowds of tourists (they are here, even during the pandemic), you can just turn into a small passageway, and escape the noise. As I mentioned before when you are on La Presqu'ile (the area between Le Rhone and La Saone), you can just cross over one of the numerous bridges. Or you can take the metro. When you take the metro be sure to get off Vieux Lyon stop (obviously!). I personally love the transition - from the modern metro you exit, turn left, and you find yourself in the beautiful square, with the imposing Cathedrale Saint Jean over it. When you plan a visit to Lyon, it is inevitable you will learn about "traboules". They are secret passages very specific to Lyon, mainly in Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse (another district of Lyon). There were about 400 of them, and now only 40 are open to the public. You can take a guided tour of traboules (not sure how it works now during the pandemia), or when you are out and about when you see an open door to a courtyard, go in. You get rewarded by an off the beaten touristy track surprises. Secret courtyards, staircases, arcades... I was at first shy to go in, but now when the door is open, I take advantage to pay a brief visit. I always have a feeling like I'm Alice in Wonderland. When you wander the winding streets of Vieux Lyon don't forget to look up - the buildings have beautiful details , and often times there is a stone Madonna sitting in a corner looking over the inhabitants. After a few hours of taking it all in take a break and have a meal or just coffee at one of the numerous cafes and "bouchons"(a bouchon is a typical restaurant in Lyon serving traditional cuisine of Lyon). The French always take their time to enjoy. Enjoy the visit, enjoy being with friends, enjoy the day... Where to next? How about taking one of the numerous climbs and stairways (called "montée") to the next adventure, which is the Basilique de Fourviere? Truthfully, I always take the funicular up, and a "montée" down! But that's a story for our next staycation installment. A bientôt! - by Joanna #lyon #vieuxlyon #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #travelsinfrance #armchairtraveler #staycation

When we are at the flea market we oftentimes are taken by memories of our childhood. It is a bit like going down the memory lane. This story is a bit nostalgic, but it may explain why we love old objects so much. Maybe because they bring us closer to the ones we loved? The story today is filled with the quiet world of delicate lace and embroidery. Two generations ago it was common to see girls and women spending hours creating their "trousseaux", or hope chests, and after they were married, beautiful items for the home. We are fortunate that so many of them survived the decades (and sometimes centuries), and we can now enjoy them in our modern world. Read below a childhood story by Dorota. You can read an English translation, or practice your French a little :) Memories, memories... When I was little I went with my mom to visit an old aunt who lived 15 minutes away from our house. I loved going there because her house was special. In the hallway you could smell perfume and apples. My aunt also loved chocolates and she offered them to us each time we visited. But the best treasures were in her chest of drawers. As soon as you opened a drawer you could see lots of wonders. My aunt had lots of linens. All the pieces were embroidered, or decorated with lace or frills. She had crochet lace that she hung on the shelves of her sideboard and her wardrobe by passing a satin ribbon through the holes expressly provided for this purpose. There were pillowcases embroidered with floral or geometric patterns etc. My aunt had obviously done everything herself. In the living room there was a round table covered with a crochet tablecloth !!!! Can you imagine how long it took her to do all of this? Not to mention multitude of doilies that decorated small tables, dressers, etc. My aunt is no longer there and with her her world of lace and embroidery has disappeared or ..... almost? Because during our flea visits, Joanna and I follow in the footsteps of my aunt and our grandmothers. We always marvel at the sheets decorated with embroidered monograms, the pillowcases embroidered with English embroidery flowers or art deco patterns. Each of us has a collection of household linen: some items inherited from our grandmothers and others found in flea markets. We are happy to integrate them into our daily lives. You can see a selection of what we have found for you in our online store including napkins and tea towels. Joanna even found old lace, and I, a piece of guipure - a new project for you? Have fun! by Dorota Souvenirs, souvenirs... Quand j'étais petite j'allais avec ma maman rendre visite à une vieille tante qui habitait à 15 minutes à pieds de chez nous. J'adorais y aller car sa maison était particulière. Dans l'entrée on pouvait sentir une odeur de parfum et de pommes. Ma tante aimait également des chocolats et elle nous en proposait à chacun de nos passages. Mais les meilleurs trésors se trouvaient dans sa commode. Dès qu'on ouvrait un tiroir on pouvait apercevoir plein de merveilles. Ma tante avait beaucoup de linge de maison . Toutes les pièces étaient brodées, ou décorées des dentelles ou de volants. Elle avait des dentelles faites au crochet qu'elle accrochait aux étagères de son buffet et de son armoire en faisant passer  un ruban de satin à travers les trous expressement prevus à cet effet. Il y avait des taies d'oreiller brodées avec des motifs floraux ou géométriques etc. Ma tante avait bien évidemment tout fait elle même. Dans le salon il y avait une table ronde couverte d'une nappe faite au crochet!!!! Vous imaginez combien de temps il lui fallait pour faire tout ça? Sans parler de tonnes de napperons qui décoraient des petites tables, des commodes etc. Ma tante n'est plus là et avec elle son monde de dentelles et broderies a disparu  ou..... presque? Car lors des nos visites aux puces , Joanna et moi suivons les traces de ma tante et de nos grands mères. Nous nous émerveillons toujours devant les draps décorés de monogrammes brodés, les taies d'oreillers brodées des fleurs de broderie anglaise ou des motifs art déco. Chacune de nous possède une collection de linge de maison : certaines pièces héritées de nos grands mères  et d'autres trouvées aux puces.  Nous nous faison un plaisir de les intégrer dans notre vie quotidienne. Vous pouvez voir une sélection de ce que nous avons trouvé pour vous dans notre magasin en  ligne notamment des serviettes de table et torchons . Joanna a même trouvé des anciennes dentelles et moi un bout de guipure!!!!! (A vous de voir comment vous pouvez l'utiliser!!)  Amusez-vous bien!!! - par Dorota #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #frenchtabledecor #vintagelinen #passionforvintage

So many ideas, so little time! We all want to surround ourselves with beauty, and make our homes inviting and reflecting our personality and taste. And there are so many ideas out there nowadays... But many years ago, before Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, the main source of decor inspiration were magazines and books on decorating. It was during the pre-internet times, when you couldn't source whatever your heart desires without moving from your couch... We were just north of New York City, and I lived for weekend garage and estate sales. I think my system is still programmed for an early wake up call on Saturday and Sunday mornings! I was surrounding myself with stacks of decor magazines (most recently "Domino" was my favorite, and I can't believe it is not around anymore), and I was also collecting books on decorating. My favorite ones were by Mary Emmerling. Her "Quick Decorating" was on my night stand. Mary was my idol (she still is!). She won my heart by making decorating seem easy and effortless. She really did. She taught me how it can be easy breezy, and fun. But - just like with cooking - "quick decorating" is only quick when you have the right "ingredients" on hand. Hence my frequent visits at garage sales then, and flea markets now. I still look for, and collect objects that have the power to transform the space, and decorate it beautifully and fast. The objects that are both useful around the house, and beautiful. So when I come back from the flea, I come back with these decor necessities. I always look for baskets to hold throws and blankets, handmade bowls for the colorful fruit on a kitchen table, vintage vases for fresh flowers, candle holders, beautiful linens, little "tabourets" to hold magazines and plants, mismatched silverware... Things with a soul. Things that are keepers, and will make the decorating quick and easy. Things that you can find in My French Maison online shop. And the last time I also found this quirky wire basket. Made to hold drinking glasses, in my eyes was perfect to hold votives and flowers. It makes decorating quick, and fun and easy. It's quirky, a little bit "shabby chic", and one of a kind. And it's perfect for My French Maison. The wire caddie and the glass votives (which can double as drinking glasses) can now be found in our online boutique: wire glass holder (update: the wire caddy is sold), and the votives HERE. We will try to share some ideas for Quick Decorating with you often. Do tell us, what is the magic that makes decorating your home quick and fun! #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome