Victoria French Cottage 2021

Dear Friends This Victoria Classics issue brims with the authentic Gallic charm that always seems to capture my imagination. The sight of an elegant maison—especially a sprawling country house with fragrant roses twining the front door and weathered shutters framing expansive windows—never fails to enchant. And just as fascinating to me as these centuries-old havens are the keepers of history who thoughtfully tend them. It would be difficult to choose a favorite abode from the varied selection of properties highlighted in this publication. Loving vibrant hues as I do, my heart is drawn immediately to the sumptuous furnishings at Château de Nyon—in particular, its canopied daybed and abundance of cheery red toile. Learn more about this stately residence in “Her Once and Again Home” on page 43. Another retreat that catches my…

Below the branches of a majestic mahogany that has proudly stood for more than 150 years, Sophie and Gilles Oustalet have created their dream bed-and-breakfast just a short walking distance from the historical heart of Bourges, France. The tree was planted in the same year the house was built: 1860. Along with other century-old greenery, it hid most of the façade on the couple’s first visit fifteen years ago. However, upon their entering the structure, the pair became absolutely enchanted by the home and its history. The first thing that Sophie and Gilles noticed was the authentic mosaic floor, which still bears the initials of the industrialist and first owner, Désiré Labbé. Determined to maintain the historic charm, the new proprietors began the interior’s renovation and design with an important question:…

When Marie-Christine and Philippe Deroin-Thevenin were looking for a property in the countryside where they could realize their goal of opening a bed-and-breakfast, they learned the eighteenth-century Domaine de la Creuse was on the market. Originally built as a country house for the owners of nearby Château de Villebertin, the eighteenth-century structure was primely situated near the historic town of Troyes in France’s picturesque Champagne region. “I had always been intrigued by it, and even visited it a few times just out of curiosity,” says Marie-Christine. “When we went to have a look as prospective buyers, I felt like I was stepping into a fairy tale!” Lovely old roses scrambled up the half-timbered façade, while ornamental details, such as tiled roofs, stone pediments, and timber posts, added plenty of eye-catching interest.…

Blessed with a desirable southern exposure, the stately home owned by designers Sandrine and Jacques is bathed in light every day, lending each of its three stories an easy, tranquil feeling. Though every room has its own well-defined character, the couple intentionally designed the spaces to flow harmoniously from one to another, creating a cohesive and carefree ambiance. “At the time of purchase, the house was not exactly as we wanted,” explains Jacques, “but we weren’t discouraged and got to work straightaway.” After renovations were completed, the “boudoir-style” structure had been transformed into an elegant residence, with reception rooms on the ground floor opening to a veranda that looks out to a picturesque backyard, brimming with all manner of greenery, as well as statues, busts, and a stone fountain. The living and…

The history of Château de Nyon reaches back to 1750, when it was built as a résidenceseigneuriale (stately residence) for a family who retained the land until the early twentieth century. Cathérine Henry’s parents bought the country house and its 160 hectares of land in 1956, when she was five years old. “As a young child, I was already very fond of nature,” she relates. “I liked to be outside, wandering around these old trees, taking care of the animals, and helping my grandfather pick fruits and vegetables from our large garden.” Cathérine was also fond of the venerable manor, with its multitude of rooms and long corridors. The place was a sight to behold when decorated for the holidays, with candles illuminating the interiors and chandeliers shimmering above festively set…

Twenty years ago, as Brigitte Breitindejas and her husband were looking to purchase a home, they fell in love with a circa 1675 redbrick-and-stone house located in a particularly pretty part of Northern France. The owner insisted on selecting only a buyer who would respect the soul of the old abode, and, recognizing that the couple’s intentions matched his own, he approved the sale. The former vendangeait—a “harvest house” typical of those built in this wine region from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century—had only been used for summer months and needed an extensive renovation. Many of the original features required repairs or replacing altogether, but Brigitte could see past the flaws to embrace the befitting backdrop for her beloved antiques. Brigitte explains, “There was wallpaper dating to just after World War…