When is the best time to visit Lyon? If you can make it happen, it would be the time when magnolias are in bloom. Place des Celestins in Lyon is a quiet corner of La Presqu'ile, close to La Saône river, tucked away and sometimes overlooked by tourists. The italianate theatre building is a joy to look at (and if you have some time do book a tour, or take in a play). In warmer weather the restaurants and bistros around the place serve drinks and meals "à la terrace". Kids play on theatre steps summer or winter. Sometimes there is dancing. It's the time of year again, when the weather flirts with spring. It is playing with our feelings, playing with our hopes. We long for longer days and warmth of sunshine. This is when the two rows of white and pink magnolias in front of the theatre come into bloom. Encouraged by the warmer sun, little by little the blooms are coaxed from the fuzzy shells of the buds. And one morning, all of the sudden, I wake up to the fragrant bomb of ballerina like blossoms in front of the Theatre des Celestins where I am lucky to live. The sunny days that gave the promise of spring turn back to winter quickly, as they do every year, but the pink blooms of magnolias soldier on. And the cooler weather will make the flowers stay longer on their branches. When you're visiting Lyon, and are lucky to be here in late February or early March, take five minutes and stop by Theatre de Celestins and take in the fragrance of the magnolias in bloom. Theatre des Celestins, 4 rue Charles Dullin, 69002 Lyon

I could write about the farmers markets a lot! I think it was my first stop right after we moved to France. It wasn't a Chanel boutique, or Galeries Lafayette, but the market, the baker, and the butcher. That's where we get our veggies, fruits, meat, fromage... and of course flowers. That's where we discover local specialties - saucisson, little pastries and quiches. In the summer it's at the market where we find the sweetest tomatoes, and in winter a rainbow of root vegetables. When we lived in the United States of course there were farmers markets. But they were seen more as an entertainment. There were vendors with produce of course, but most shopping was done in supermarkets. In France fruit and vegetable markets are an integral part of this country's famed tradition of good eating, and is one of those French traditions that never went away. Visiting a farmers market here, even when on vacation, is as authentic an experience as one can wish to find. In our old neighbourhood in Lyon the market was held twice a week, always in the same place. Now we live close to the Saone, and are lucky to have Marche de Sainte-Antoine basically right under our noses, six days a week. The market schedules in Lyon can be found on the Mairie's (town halls's) website, for every district of the city. In France, markets are an integral part of the French culinary tradition, and a part of our life here. While we all go to a regular shop for many other household necessities, the farmers market guides us what to put on our tables to feed our families. The first visit at a French farmers market for a newcomer can be overwhelming - there is no line, everyone seems to be pushing through, and everyone speaks very fast French. And what food stall are you supposed to choose? But after a few times you learn that the vendors start recognizing you, you know where to get the best produce, and there are some unspoken rules who gets served first. In spite of what seems to be a frenetic pace, people are patient (one needs to choose the perfect head of lettuce!), tips on how to eat the freshest goat cheeses are shared (for me it is with lavender honey and a crispy baguette), and the recipes on how to poach salmon are received (in white wine and olive oil). It goes with everything one does here - you take your time. And if you're shopping for a few days ahead, make sure to let your vendor know. They will pick a perfect melon for today, and another one that will be ripe in a couple of days. For my family our local market is where nearly all the food comes from. The difference between the store bought, and the market bought in quality and taste is obvious. The additional bonus - we support the local famers and growers. We primarily buy from the same vendors, mostly "producteurs". We know that what we buy from them literally comes from their farm to our table. Everything is in season, fresh, ready to be enjoyed. Other than being the source of locally produced, fragrant, delicious food, the market is a feast for the eyes. Every season brings different delights. Now in the spring the bunches of crisp pink and white radishes, the bouquets of green grey artichokes, the pastel of the country eggs on wicker baskets, the rows of white goat cheeses... Even if you never had any artistic inclinations, these sights would make you grab a brush! All this bounty is offered against the background of Vieux Lyon with Cathedrale Saint Jean, and La Fourviere. Wherever you decide to visit in France, do stop by at a local farmers market. Enjoy! Bon appétit et a bientôt!

Where did it all begin? The popular story on how the name "bistro" originated says it came from the Russian word "bistro" or "quick", "fast". When the Russian army invaded France during the Napoleon wars, they used to shout "bistro" to demand faster service. The name stuck, and now we refer to Paris bars as "bistro" or "bistrot". Bistros were a lower class restaurants, where the French workers could gather, have a cheap meal and a drink. In the traditional bistro nowadays you can still find a zinc bar, and a menu written on a blackboard. While the drink offering is extensive, the menu is usually short (but so good!), and based around traditional French cuisine. From boeuf bourguignon, blanquette de veau, to a tarte Tatin and an île flottante. Simple food, wine from the region, an intimate, low key, laid back atmosphere - this is what a French bistro is about. Other than a for a full meal, people drop by for coffee, bien sûr! Served in a tiny porcelain cup, it gives you a permission to stay as long as you want. The cups and plates have either a brand of coffee printed on them, or the name of the establishment itself. Many times you also find the style as in the picture below, colored dark green, burgundy, yellow, or white, with a gold rim. Now I am coming to the part that will interest aficionados of highly collectible French bistro items. In the 19th century right up to 1950s coffee in French bistros was frequently served in thick porcelain cups called "brûlot". They are the traditional kind of cups that were used in French cafes all over France for many decades but sadly went out of fashion... Made of heavy porcelain so they could stand up to the constant abuse of handling and washing...and to keep the coffee hot. The name "brûlot" comes from the eponymous preparation of strong coffee on which a sugar sprinkled with brandy was flamed. The way they were treated in a fast paced life of a bistro made them prone to chips and breaks. Needless to say, nowadays they are rare and highly collectible. When I am at a flea market I always have my "feelers" out for them, and ask my friendly vendors to save me some when they come across them. The real rarity are the numbered saucers. They were used in old French bistros as a way of charging the drinker. The pile of dishes on their table were testament to how many drinks they'd had. The colors of the rim denoted the amount the drink cost. They are very difficult to come by these days, and are prized by collectors. In the country with rich culinary traditions and a strong cafe culture, the distinctions between brasseries, bistro, cafe, etc. is slightly blurry now. What hasn't changed is the outdoor seating in traditionally woven chairs, "terrasses" cropping up for lunch and dinner times almost everywhere, and the relaxed atmosphere of taking your time, alone or with friends, savoring every bite. So when you find yourself in France next time, bring your appetite with you. From restaurants, brasseries, bistros, to les bouchons, guingettes, cafés... It is really hard to have a bad meal in this country! But remember the mealtime hours. Déjeuner is a middle of the day meal, and is served between noon and three (make sure to be seated by 1 pm, or you may go away hungry...). Dinner is served from 7 or 8pm depending on the region. What to do in between? There is always "apéro", but it is a subject for a new blog post! And when you come by a flea market to try your luck - maybe you will find a brûlot to remind you of your French adventures? And if not, one of the virtual "shelves" (French bistro) in my online shop is dedicated to vintage bistro collectibles. A bientôt!

And by "lavender country" I mean Provence, bien sûr! We spent a few days in the area of the Alps-de-Haute-Provence, the most undiscovered region there. Its richness and beauty always surprises me, and takes my breath away. It is a bit different from Vaucluse, which is where we go most often - more wild and rugged. A paradise for hikers, bicyclists, and lovers of water sports with the Lac St Croix and Gorge du Verdon. It was also the part of Provence I saw 25 years ago, and fell in love with. It was my first time in France, Paris, and Provence... and I will never forget how overwhelmed I felt with beauty of it all. This time around it was the first time we were in Provence in the summer so we were able to see the lavender fields in bloom. The view is incomparable! Kilometers of purple fragrant flowers, dreamy... Next to them - big fields of sunflowers. This was our reward for going in summer, since we normally go to the south off-season, and never regretted it, because the region is truly magical in any time of year. So it was the first time we were in this part of Provence since that first time 25 years ago. I was a bit afraid there would be too many changes, but the beautiful vistas, small towns scattered among the hills, aromas of figs and lavender, friendly people - this luckily stayed the same. The stone houses still stand quiet and strong, the pale blue shutters closed against the heat of the day. The rhythm of the day is unchanged, the delicious food always delicious. So what do you do on a provençal vacation? It of course depends on who you are - ready to conquer the blue waters of Lac Saint Croix at the crack of dawn? Wonderful! But I encourage you to surrender to experience a different rhythm of day - the day unfolds slowly here. You wake up with the song of birds. The leisurely breakfast follows. Plans are made for the day over strong aromatic coffee (these can be deviated from easily, if one sees a charming vista or a small town one has to stop in a wander around). Unless you are swift and energetic (not us), you head out before the heat of the day. But it's not us... We take our time! You leave around 10 to get to your destination of the day. When you get there, it is just about time to sit down and eat. You find a charming bistro. The mid day meal will take about two hours. You sightsee some more, head back to your bed and breakfast, apartment, hotel... and have a siesta. Around five, when it may not be as hot, you go for a stroll among the lavender fields. You might have found some cheese or olives to have with wine for an apero... Around 7:30 you have drinks with your hosts, and dinner is served no earlier than 8 PM. You eat under the stars and never want to go home... So what to do and see in Alpes-de-Haute Provence? Here are some hints: - avoid the high season (which is summer, June through August). As lovely as it is, it is hot in the middle of the day, and crowded. It is vacation time for nearly everyone... As well as France shuts down in August and you may find some places not available to visit... All attractive sites - Lac de Ste-Croix, Moustier, Gorge du Verdon - will be crowded, and there will be difficulties in parking. Come in winter, spring, or fall - the sight of blooming almond trees in February is something to behold. - make sure you have a car to get around as the public transportation is not frequent, and most sites are accessible only by car (or bicycle if you're so inclined). Other necessities - sunscreen, water, and a hat. This is a dry, very sunny climate. It's easy to get a sunburn, and get dehydrated. I also bring a shawl or a light sweater. After the sun sets the temperature drops. - this is a rugged, rural part of Provence, so nature lovers, hikers, will be in paradise there; but there is something for everyone - the history and architecture buffs will delight in visiting medieval towns and castles; do spend an afternoon in Sisteron with its 13th century citadel. I also recommend the underground cathedral in Saint Martin de Pallieres. - take advantage of the culinary delights of the region - the olive oil, wine from small vineyards, honey... The food is fresh and local, no time for a dietary regime here! Don't forget to pick up a "sachet" of herbes de Provence and lavender to bring home. - lovers of faiance, beware! This region is known for pottery ateliers. Moustier-Ste-Marie is well known for its famous ceramics, and there is a museum devoted to the original Moustier ware. Another town with a museum and ceramic studios is Varages (in the Var). - the most charming town of our vacation - Cotignac (just next door, in the Var region of Provence)! If you only have time to see one small provencal town, put Cotignac on your itinerary. - where to stay? There is no shortage of boutique hotels, private apartments to rent, bed and breakfasts.... there is something for everyone. I almost never do it, but this time I have to mention the charming place we managed to find, and were very happy with. It is in a tiny village of Saint Laurent du Verdon, and is called La Colombiere du Chateau. www.lacombiereduchateau.com - there are many travel guides and online resources, but I find that local Office de Tourisme, and there is one in almost every town and village, is the best source of information. They have local maps and brochures, and can point you to the places that cannot be found in a guide book. Bon voyage!

Have you seen it too? August heat gave in quickly to September's cool mornings and early evenings. I have to admit that autumn is my favorite season, and I almost count the days to the end of August every year. Is it the child in me that always loved the get back to school moment on September 1st? The smell of new books, a row of newly sharpened pencils, a reunion with my school pals? So - welcome to early fall! Summer is always so short, it slips away quickly, every day a brief blink of sunny brightness. This year it was a blur for us, not punctuated by trips anywhere - this summer was spent in Lyon. We felt suspended in an uncertain situation of Covid-19 threat, listening to the news each day. We do thank our lucky stars we could visit les puces regularly and continue with our business. And we live in such a beautiful spot too! It's been a looong time since we were in school, now instead of rows of sharpened pencils we welcome stacks of cozy cashmere sweaters and comfy boots :) And for our home it's the blankets, long candle lit dinners, and many glasses of red wine. From summer's laid back casual mood we welcome fall's richness, and opulence. We are ready for the days to get shorter, the rains to draw in, the crisp morning air. We want our home to become a warm space, where we can safely be. We are wishing you a beautiful fall season! Do tell us what your fall rituals are, and how was your summer this year, by leaving a comment below. - by Joanna #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #frenchlife #autumndecor #latesummer

I love Provence, especially in the off-season, and especially the places that are not usually on the tourists' itinerary. Tired of the city's hustle and bustle, we packed a rental car, and headed to a little stone house we found on vrbo.com, near Mazan. All was what I wished for - the crisp air, the blue skies, the faded hues of the stone walls, olive trees, the quiet... We took small trips here and there, but the best time we had was just staying in our little rental house, under a walnut tree, with a glass of red wine, looking out onto the seemingly endless rows of vines... This is my idea of heaven! The fall was just starting to put her color here and there. We spotted it in the ivy covering the walls. There was some red and orange we saw in the vines, and on the trees. There was brilliant sunshine, a bit tricky, because some days one could not be warm without a coat, hat, and scarf. Sometimes we planned our days, sometimes we headed in a general direction and stumbled upon beautiful vistas, randomly discovering hilltop villages, little vineyards where we tasted local wine, but also places that were always on out list to see, such as the Senanque Abbey. We ate the delicious meals, drank the wines of the region, chatted with the local folks. Our dog wanted to hunt for the pigeons, squirrels, and rodents. We slept late, and avoided the news (not altogether, we did found out about the new curfew rules in Lyon...one cannot avoid reality forever). Now, back in Lyon, we're planning our next getaway, crossing the fingers, that we'll be able to travel. We hope you all - dear followers - are well and safe! - by Joanna #provence #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #travelsinfrance #autumntravel

We have had quite a long stretch of rainy days in Lyon. Rain, confinement, and a general trend of domesticity contributed to the decision to spend a cozy afternoon in the kitchen. I am by no means a "domestic goddess", and usually prefer to sample something delicious from one of our local patisseries. But I always have the necessary ingredients to throw together this very informal, "deconstructed", tarte aux fruits. I love the aroma of baking on a rainy day! This is a very easy tarte, it requires very few ingredients, and once you've made it once, you will see how easy it is to customize it. I use frozen dough for the crust (I always keep some in the freezer just in case), and any fruit that is in the kitchen (usually apples). As we don't like very sweet desserts, the grated lemon peel offsets the sweetness of the fruit and sugar very nicely. You will need: - frozen dough (I use the Picard brand of "pâtes brisées, pré-étalées, rouleaux, pur beurre" loosely translated as "shortcrust, pre-rolled, pure butter dough" - a few apples (for this tarte I also used a small bowl of frozen berries) - butter - sugar - grated lemon peel First take out your frozen dough a few hours before baking. For the fruit compote (or "sauce") that goes on the bottom of the tarte, peel, core, and cut 4-5 apples into little chunks. Place them in a small skillet, and pour some boiling water onto them, so they're just covered. Cook on low heat (stir often, don't let them burn!) until soft. While they cook add some sugar and grated lemon peel to taste. Peel, core and slice 3-4 apples - these will be for the top of the tarte. Toss them with sugar. Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius (which is about 425 Fahrenheit). Schmear some butter on the bottom of a baking sheet or baking pan so the dough does not stick to it. Unfold the sheet of dough onto it. Spread the compote evenly over the dough, leaving about 2 cm around (0.4 inches). Fold the edge of the dough - this will prevent the compote from spilling over. Now I don't have a baking pan yet (you'd think that after two years in France my kitchen should be well equipped!), so I use a roasting pan (the kind to bake a chicken in), so my tarte is rather "deconstructed", with uneven edges folded over. Do what pleases you, you can get quite creative with that edge! Arrange apple slices on top of the compote with tiny dollops of butter among them if you wish. You may arrange the apples in any pattern you desire! Place the tart in the oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the dough starts getting slightly brown. Hint: the tarte is great warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side... Enjoy - Bon Appetit! (by Joanna) #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #tarteauxfruits

Depending where you live in France, you either have bunches of fresh flowers, or - not... In Lyon, we had not seen cut flowers in weeks until a few days ago, when I stumbled upon a teeny tiny farmers market (there were only two vendors), and I found buckets of lilacs and peonies for sale! I quickly bought two bouquets of these gorgeous pink peonies. I was so happy I almost floated back home! (keeping the safe distance from the others of course). So many people stared at my pink fragrant flowers, and two of them asked where did I get them? So many of us are missing fresh flowers this season! The peonies decorated our salon for a few days. Every time we passed by we inhaled the wonderful aroma. And one morning all we saw was a puddle of hot pink petals on the table... So the status quo is that we don't see fresh flowers this spring... Who knows when will be the next time? In the year of firsts, these days we cannot go the farmers market and buy bunches of blooms. This used to be so natural, and something we took for granted. So for the moment we are feasting our eyes on the flowers in art. These are not fragrant like the real deal, but at least they will not fade away. These vintage paintings are in the shop, and available (please make sure to read our delivery policy in the times on COVID-19...). You can see our vintage art collection HERE. We hope that all of you are safe and well and enjoying spring! (by Joanna) #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #vintageart #collectingart

Is it smart to undertake an opening a new, albeit, online shop in the time of the pandemic? We won't know until we try it. For weeks we were getting ready, and then, boom, coronavirus times! Then we were waiting for the normal times to come back. But we think you will agree that the "old normal" is replaced by the "new normal". So we made the decision to go ahead and hit "publish" - Bienvenue! Why now? Because we all need some cheering up. Because we love sharing our passion for all things French and vintage. Because like many of you we are looking to freshen up and energize the space we are in. Because we seek comfort and simple pleasures of home, especially now. Making the world beautiful around you is what we live for. Sharing this little venture with you all also gives us hope that things that we came to love in France, will gradually come back. That flea markets and vide greniers will re-open, and we will find new treasures to share with you. That we will be able to head over to farmers markets and come back home with baskets full of fresh goodness and bunches of flowers. And, finally, that one day we will be able to share the bises! What will you find here? For the new shop we have been selecting objects that will add the French spirit to our homes. We focus on the items for the kitchen and table, for the home and garden, vintage, antique, and more recent. We want you to be inspired, energized, and let your imagination soar when you visit us here. A lot of what you will see in the new shop we have been accumulating over weeks prior to the lock-down. Some items are from our Etsy shop, because they are better suited to be here. For the moment we will be running both the Etsy and the new shop. The new shop gives us more freedom of what we can offer, how we can present it to you, and how we can direct the growth of My French Maison. We hope that you will like this new direction! Lastly - connecting with you brings us joy. We love getting your messages of encouragement, from all over the world. We love looking at your decorating projects, your blooming gardens, places where you draw your inspiration from. Take good care of yourself and your families, stay safe and well! Joanna and Dorota​​​ And now, because we live in precarious times, and it is NOT business as usual, please read: A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE ON SHIPPING IN TIMES OF COVID-19 Please expect an extended shipping time and delivery - as you all know, we live in complicated times right now. First of all, we are in the midst of the global health crisis - no news here. Second of all - the logistics of shipping are difficult to say the least. In France we are still under mandatory confinement till May 11th.  The post office operates but with some limitations and with reduced hours. If you decide to place an order and wait of its delivery, Thank You! We will let you know when it is on its way to you, and will provide you with the tracking number.  You can contact us with any concerns and questions. Merci! #restezchezvous #lifeintimesofpandemic #confinement #lavieestbelle #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome

Be forewarned - this is likely a first installment of many blog posts devoted to the doors of France! I know books have been written, and websites created, filled with beautiful images of French doors. I thought after many visits to France, and over a year of living here, the fascination will pass. But I still feel compelled to stop in the middle of the street and take a picture of a beautiful door... Even if I walked on the same street for months, I always manage to see a new detail. Here are a few beauties I fell in love with in my adopted city of Lyon. Enjoy! - by Joanna #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #travelsinfrance #lavieestbelle #lyon #doorsoffrance

I meet a lot of people who love and are moved by art but are not certain how to go about buying it, and collecting it. They visit galleries, flea markets, second hand shops, thrift shops, or look at what we buy for My French Maison, but are having a hard time making a choice. As someone who shops for our online store and for her own home (I buy contemporary art from living artists, and vintage art as well), I always get a question - why is this painting in your collection? Why did you select this and not the other? And inevitably - how do I start? I don't have a lot of money, or space. I don't know how, I don't know what I like, what if I make mistake... First of all, there are no rules (well, just a few little ones!). So here are my "five cents", or "cinq centimes", on the subject: 1 - Buy what you like, and trust your instincts - you cannot make a mistake. Collecting is a very personal activity, and if it makes you feel good, nobody else's opinion matters (unless they're your life partner, but that's another blog post!). If you are drawn to a piece of art, if it "speaks" to you, I say go for it! 2 - It doesn't need to be expensive - you can build a unique collection of affordable pieces that doesn't break the bank. 3 - Take your time. There is no pressure, collecting is an ongoing process. It is also an exciting and enjoyable process, that can take years and become a passion (or an addiction, depending who you talk to). Don't feel pressured to acquire many pieces all at once (unless you love them, of course!), but... 4 - If you see that perfect piece right in front of you, go for it! It's very likely that you will never see it again, and will always think of it as the one that got away... 5 - Flaws can be good; buying vintage means being OK with little flaws and signs of time the piece usually comes with. Make peace with little imperfections that give your vintage find a little character. But - structural integrity is important. For example if a painting is stretched on a wooden frame which is in very poor condition, it may be very hard to have it repaired. If it has a huge cut right in the middle I would think twice... Same goes for dirt - if you're OK to live with it, it might not bother you. But if a painting could benefit from a good cleanup, consider your time and additional expense to bring it to a former splendor. Above all - have fun! Shopping for vintage is an adventure. Keep your eyes open, and enjoy it! Next up on our blog: Decorating with (Vintage) Art The Vintage Art section in our shop can be found by following this link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/myfrenchmaison?section_id=25222042 (by Joanna) #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #vintageart #collectingart

Is it just us? Are January days the hardest? After the hustle and bustle of the holiday festivities, with lots of things to do, meeting friends and family, the beginning of a year is, by contrast, quiet, and maybe a little sad... Whenever winter doldrums get us down, we look at our summer travel photos. They remind us that the winter chill will be over in a few weeks, and the days will get longer. (although there is a certain charm to winter travel, we admit, and there may be an option to jet over to warmer climates for some). That's why, in this post, we are taking you, and us, on a mini trip to the sun-drenched Burgundy, mainly to Beaune, the cobble street town in the middle of the winemaking region of France. Beaune was one of our destinations last summer, and we really enjoyed getting to know it. This is not meant to be a travel guide, but simply a slow walk down a twisty sun drenched lane in the Bourgogne town... Beaune - easily reached by train (when you're already in France), extremely walkable, it greeted us with sunshine, charmed us with its winding streets, story book vistas, and numerous vintners. We arrived by train from Lyon, and from the tiny train station (where both local and TGV trains stop) walked over to our hotel. It was love at first sight. Although a small town, we quickly discovered there's plenty to do there on our short vacation - we loved visiting the Hotel-Dieu, the 15th century former hospital, now museum, showcasing works like "The Last Judgment" altarpiece by Van der Weyden. We visited a few churches, that provide stillness, moments of reflection, and stunning sacral art and architecture. We never felt hungry, but pampered with numerous cafes and restaurants. Beaune is surrounded by vineyards, and the whole town is full of charming "maisons de ville", with painted shutters, and tiled roofs. And we let ourselves dream a little - what would it be like to live in a small place like this one? Set amongst the vines, Beaune feels bucolic, and peaceful. We felt in the vintage and antique heaven visiting numerous antique dealers, mainly along Rue Carnot and Rue Monge. Peaceful streets, charming houses, inviting sidewalk cafes, and friendly people. You see, it has something for everyone. Stay in town for a few days, or make it your starting point to visit more of the region. Did it work? We are already planning a summer break. Are you? Where is your summer travel going to be this year? #frenchvintagedecor #shabbychicdecor #myfrenchmaison #howivintage #wheretofindme #frenchcountry #frenchantiques #collectedhome #notrevieauxpuces #eclectichomedecor #frenchfleamarket #passionforvintage #fleamarket #vintagehome #travelsinfrance #burgundy #beaune