THE BEGINNING
March. The awakening
I finished my February and started my March in Nice—a city I did not like at all when I visited almost 20 years ago. But, to be fair, it was just a 5-hour drive-through visit, as we were on our way to Monaco and Menton, the latter of which I fell in love with.
This time, I happened to be there by a silly accident, and thank God for that, as with every step I took, I fell in love with Nice like never before, soaking up the sun and the first two days of +16°C. Coming back home and watching mimosa trees on my way, I was welcomed in Lyon with barely +5°C. What a shock it was. But it was nice to be back home.
Today, being in this newfound life situation (divorce, for those who still don’t know), I sit in my study, wondering what March will bring. More of those life lessons that are so popularly played on Instagram reels (and I love to laugh about them), or finally, something that will change my life for the better in a way that’s not considered baby steps but a visible, big jump ahead.
I don’t know, but what I do know is that be it one way or another, I will spend a lot of time in the kitchen, testing recipes, being overly happy when they work out and desperate when they don’t. The process of recreating and redeveloping heritage recipes from 100-year-old books can be a road full of surprises—like the one I had a few days ago when none of the recipes I tried turned out to be the kind someone would receive with open arms. What I also know is that I will finalise my list of recipes we will cook during my April three-day weekend in Burgundy and May (one room left). I also know I will work on recipes we will be cooking during a 3-day weekend in June at La Manufacture Royale de Lectoure (book your place now).
On top of that, I will be enjoying the arrival of spring, soaking up the sun, smiling back at people, watching everyone enjoy their lunches, apéros, and dinners on terraces (open from the 1st of March in Lyon), and biting into all of the spring products I will find at the markets in Lyon, Burgundy, and wherever life will take me.
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Book the most incredible experience
Have you ever read a book, seen in a movie, or seen on social media how someone sets the most adorable and divine French dinner table? How can someone whip up the most incredible French dishes with such ease that it is almost unbelievable, not only during festive seasons but all year long? Have you ever tried a light and airy chocolate or berry tart, wondering how the pastry can be so incredible, the same as admiring every bite of the salad someone has made for you? And then biting into that piece of succulent chicken, wishing you could make that. And have you ever dreamt of being in a place you have seen in a movie, wishing you could be one of those people eating on the terrace of that stunningly renovated French house, drinking wine, eating and laughing? I have good news for you. All of that and even more you will experience here in La Manufacture Royale de Lectoure, all you need is to book your place to make your dream come true. Discover and book
Travel
Sensual and unplanned
Paris in three days
I clearly remember checking in and checking out of the hotel two nights later. The rest in between passed like a movie where I enjoyed good nights sleep, perfect breakfasts and chatting with the hotels team while meeting my friends, enjoying generous portions of fantastic food in restaurants, sipping countless cappuccinos, espressos, and glasses of wine, walking at least 45 km, and testing every pastry or croissant I came across. I never made it to the Musée du Carnavalet (my favorite way to discover Paris's history), I graciously stated to all my friends that I would.
But who needs all that when the real magic is in the unplanned moments, being embraced by the most sensual city on earth? Who needs more when, whilst having a love affair with the city of love, you connect with generous people, turning a cup of coffee into a deep dive into leather craftsmanship and life stories. And most importantly, you finally manage to do what you wanted most — tick off places from that long list while rediscovering the beauty of a city so mesmerising that it leaves you wondering if there’s even more to discover. And yes, there is. Visit
RECIPES
From simple appetisers and dinner dishes to easy-to-make cookies, tarts and more laborious cakes. But, mostly, all French and seasonal. Visit
HOME
From essentials like the softest and best-made duvets and cleaning materials to scents, candles, interior design accessories and all that makes your home the best place to live in. Visit
Drinks
One can pretend that a meal without wine is the best. But one can also be honest and say that it lacks that excitement of discovery. Some may say that coffee is the worst thing ever, exchanging it for tea or a chai latte, while others say that one cup of coffee is such a pleasure that it even times stops. And there is no right or wrong, as long as the product you use is made with respect, love and, preferably, a sustainable approach. Visit
BEAUTY
No matter the beauty rituals we have, we do have some. Some get by with a simple wash with soap. Some need four different products. Some crave an SPA visit every day, and some do not wish for anything annoying to their perfect, natural skin. I like to have a bit of everything, yet, as long as it is natural, clean and makes my mind and body happy. Visit
My latest recipes
Featured
EVENT
Cooking weekend in Burgundy
The evening of our "last meal", I sent one of them a message asking how they enjoyed the restaurant in Paris that evening when I received a reply that they did not go, as they were so full from the weekend that there was going to be no food for a week now. I took it as a compliment, as we ate and drank a lot that weekend in Burgundy. And many of us - walked as well.
