authentic french country style

'French country style' ...  it's a term that's used a lot, all over the world, but what is the true definition?  Is there such a thing?

I can't pretend to be a world expert on the matter but I do know about the vital elements to what I call a French country home, here in Normandy.

First of all , it helps if it's in the country!  Preferably somewhere beautiful and peaceful, a village where the church bells ring on the hour from dawn till dusk.

Next you need a gate,

not necessarily this grand 

-  it can  be made of metal or of wood  -

oh yes,   and a stone wall ...

The house must be authentic but not necessarily big.  A lot of the most attractive 

properties along our valley  are less than 2000 square feet.

 Shutters on the windows and doors are almost inevitable,

painted or left shabby as your inspiration leads you;

A truly vital element is outbuildings:  small barns, old stables, even the odd pig sty works!

A few chickens scratching around the garden are an excellent idea;

a dog  is  'de rigueur',  cats an optional extra

at this time of year it's a good sign to have a pair of boots outside the door, a watering can

and a basket or two, although one is never sure what they shall be used for -

going to the market, picking up apples, cutting flowers from the garden...

of course the boots , basket and watering can are elementary accessories for caring for the potager,

which will be regularly hoed, varied in its planting and  'parfait' all year round!

There we are, it's really quite easy once you know what to look for!!

Hope your week is going well,

thank you for stopping by.

all photos taken by yours truly here in the valley