Lifestyle

Readings - With her new book The Little Provence Book Shop Gillian Harvey offers you a chance to get a glimpse of French lifestyle.

 Annette Charlton from A French Collection has concocted a very nice paper about Christmas in France.

Want to know more ?

FR - A gourmet encounter with Madame Cookie, who pampers cookie and biscuit lovers with amazing recipes.

FR - Created in 2023 by notary Anne-Sophie Arnal, in collaboration with rally specialists Viviane and Patrick Zaniroli, the Raid des Notaires (The sollicitors' raid)  is now in its second year.

Reading - Happy reading with this beautiful book published by Flammarion.

FR - A creator of paintings and decorative objects based on old magazines, Cindy Michel has created her own world.

FR - The doors of young Gard chef Hugo Mercier's restaurant opened in Saint-Siffret early this summer. An address to remember and an invitation to immerse yourself in generous, convivial cuisine.

FR - Continuation of our fascinating feature on French know-how, written in collaboration with Myriam from the Atelier TUFFERY in Florac.

FR - Françoise Mouton-Perronnet is the witty spirit behind Beau & Chic Japonais, a unique link with Japan and traditional clothing. Haori, yukata and hanten, presented at exhibition-sales such as the one that took place at Emotions sans modération in Montaren, recall a very special way of life.

Follow the UzEssentiel editorial team on its...

FR - As soon as you visit Marc-Antoine Lemonnier's website, the tone is set: ‘Open the door to a fantastic universe! The live action role-playing role (LARP)... only better! Put on your character's outfit and play him or her for real. The outfits, weapons and accessories are there to refine your outfit and make your protagonist unique’...

FR - Created in 2022 around ‘an original and innovative concept in the image of the culinary creations’ of young chef Nathan Henck, LOGGIA is above all a skilful emulsion between its two founders, the chef in the kitchen and his partner Mathilde, on the catering side and in the dining room.

FR - Proud of the expertise of previous three generations, the Atelier TUFFERY in Florac cultivates French handmade denim.

FR - In a cosy atmosphere, La grange d'Uzès offers a fine selection of decorative objects in a perfect setting, with exposed beams from the old barn (grange) where it is located, old stonework and patinated parquet flooring.

Decorating is all about creating a brand new world! And Anne-Sophie's adapts completely and faithfully to your desires and preferences.

FR - Second Gard address for Alfonso Cannarozzo's handmade chocolate, aside the one of Alès where he shows his tasty creations and shares his passion between shop and workshop, Mes Chocolats (understand... My chocolates) has just opened in Uzès centre.

FR - Opened in June this year, Une pincée de sel already promises a wide range of tastes.

READINGS - Kids can have fun too reading! Here is a good example with a book written by Eric Teyssier, who teaches Roman History at the Université de Nîmes and experimental archaeology.

FR - Follow UzEssentiel's editorial team as they meet Charlène, a beautician specialising in facial treatments and discover the beauty benefits of facial massages...

Published 4 July 2024 at Bloomsbury Publishing, here comes the second novel of londoner writer Louisa Treger.

FR - Emotions sans modération? A name evocating the imagination towards subtle, refined emotions, where our longing of discovery is reinforced by promises of adventures in the past, present and, why not, the future...

FR - A summer pop up shop will welcome you in Uzès. It's particularity? Exposing and selling recycled, vintage, upcycled articles...

We had the pleasure to speak about Jane Bertch’s first book The French Ingredient in our April book review.

Time to learn more about this modern American in Paris, who has lived in Europe for more than 20 years.

FR - Eric Desnoues has been the director of the Nuits Musicales d'Uzès festival since 1994. But while he is no stranger to the world of music, it was on stage that his heart was driven before he became Festival Director. A fine musician, notes once teased his professional aspirations.

FR - In the ‘quartier des Bourgades’  of Uzès, stands a holiday home with a distinctly Occitan charm that you.

A tourist stopover as much as a cultural one, Maison du Puisatier, ideally located in the heart of pedestrian streets, has been tastefully renovated, ‘its original cachet blending the authenticity of the stonework, beams and tiled floors with contemporary comfort in an elegant and relaxed spirit’.

Adding to this a confidential garden, perfect alcove for a secret swimming pool, where you can swim to the sound of cicadas...

French TV entertainer Stephane Marie shares with us his passion for gardens with this beautiful edition of The most beautiful gardens of Paris.

FR - We met Sylvie some months ago at a craft market, where she showed us her colourful creations. Customised coffee pods, cabochons, patchwork pockets, Sylvie's work is sure to brighten up your everyday life.

FR - An age-old Japanese massage, the Kobido massage is increasingly taking its place in anti-aging facial treatments today. And it is well deserved! After all, the Kobido massage is known to have been initiated by the Chinese and then Japanese masters.

FR - The need to refocus our diets on eating well, to give our bodies the ingredients they need to function properly and to maintain their vitality, means that living foods are increasingly taking a more important place on today's menus.

(FR) - A newcomer on the Gard gastronomic scene, Ode des sens is promising you a succulent experience "where tradition and innovation meet".

With its plunging view over the nearby valley, the Maison æterna's guest room is an invitation to enjoy south of France in a very pleasant way.

Our visit to the restaurant Ousta-Maï, which is celebrating its very first anniversary, is proving to be a delightful moment.

Chloé Paule's shop and pottery workshop at the 25 rue de la Grande Bourgade in Uzès, with its ancient vaults and 1900s shop front, is the perfect place to start learning about pottery.

FR - Creating frames with pebbles, what a surprising idea! Discovered during our visit to the Séquence boutique in Uzès, Poésie de galets is a source of inspiration, giving their right place to these small, rounded, smooth fragments of rock.

The Christmas tree is a symbol, interpreted many ways by different people and in different countries.

Here we are, But you are in France Madame finally appeared in its audiobook version on Spotify.

FR - Plus que cuir (More than leather), the art of leather jewellery according to Victoria Garcia, in Poulx.

Ciguë is a most poetic shop.

Situed rue du 4 septembre in Uzès, it is specialized in dried flowers in bunches, soliflores, wreaths...

Séquence, a newly based in Uzès boutique , promotes local craftsmanship. It's a trademark and a clear commitment to select designers from the south of France, but not only.

In Séquence, we can find names and skills such as Olivotte, Elsa Lenthal, Flor do Sertão, Poésie de galets, Lin Mandarine, Vannerie Vergan...

The blog editor pushed open the door of this Provencal jewel case, right in the heart of Uzès.

A new selection of readings for enjoying October leafing through pages...

The Prieuré Saint-Nicolas has been reinvented as a multi-faceted place, elegantly combining guest rooms, art gallery, concert hall and even a temporary restaurant during the summertime...

Join owner Arnaud Le Bihan on a guided tour that combines French lifestyle and gourmet delights.

We have selected some books you might be interested in...

Love, fear and a return to France is the third book in Catherine Berry’s series celebrating her French-Australian life and published the 14th of July. Couldn't do it better right!

So, if you wanted some update about the author's life in France, well, here is your opportunity. 

Have you noticed? The editorial team at the UzEssentiel blog is passionate about local produce.

So... it didn't take long to decide to have a chat with chef Petra Carter, who runs the Le Pistou cooking school, just a few steps from Place Albert 1er.

New edition of the Terralha European Ceramic Festival from 14 to 16 July, in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie.

FR - Perfectly nestled in the canton of Lussan, a stone's throw from the town of Verfeuil, the Domaine de Gressac is also at the heart of a Natura 2000 classified site.

Its size is breathtaking: 115 ha! The ideal place to start a unique equestrian adventure, a breeding of Spanish horses, where the animals take full advantage of the woods and meadows of the Domaine.

FR - Decorative art prized during the Roman and Greek antiquity, the mosaic still has great days ahead.

FR - In her furniture restoration workshop settled in Aubussargues, Catherine Parant started a brand new adventure : the Florentin patina.

FR - Claire is a specialist in "baby cuteness" and is particularly inspired.

Decoration, clothing, bibs, games and so many other creations are to be discovered here below. Follow UzEssentiel guide!

FR - Known as the Capital of Ceramics, Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie has been hosting a residency of artists.

Fashion icon Ines de la Fressange, together with fashion reporter Sophie Gachet and French actress Olga Sekulic, authors of The Parisian chic, co-sign this news book.

Read or... read, but this time in French, the lovely trilogy of Peter Mayle.

At  Home with Art , A Beginner's Guide to Collecting on any Budget, by Olivia de Fayet and Fanny Sauly, co-founders of French Art gallery Wilo & Grove, turns around 5 very special parts :

A must have book !

Published in April 2022, Coming Home to Nature, The French Art of Countryfication, is the English version of Campagne, Pour un nouvel art de vivre (Flammarion). 

For more than 25 years, Sylvaine Delivré has devoted herself to creation: jewellery, bags looking like the ones of the thirties, but also ethnic masks.

Sylvaine Delivré is a skilled bead embroiderer and has been exhibiting some of her last models at the Maison des Artisans d'Art in Uzès since April 2022.

From the Duperré School of Design and Arts and Crafts to an internship with master glassmaker Luc Benoît-Brouard, from the discovery of "traditional materials and techniques such as Tadelackt and Zellige, ancestral practices acquired from craftsman Abdella Bougrine" to modern mosaic in the Isara workshop, and then Roman mosaic alongside France Hogué", Flore Molinaro explores art and techniques.

Once a biochemical engineer, Françoise Escale Agnan became an artist in the early 2000s.

First stepping in the art world by engraving, she then discovered painting, which challenged her and offered her a freedom she had never imagined. Then came sculpture, the sublime.

FR - Agathe has been passionate about ceramics for a long time.

And, one day, she decided to make a rather drastic professional move and became a ceramist. 
 

French version - Settled place d’Austerlitz since October 2020, near the library of Uzès, MADE IN XAVIER is present in the city for 4 years.Specialized in local art, MADE IN XAVIER is a temple of creation, between lights, jewels, ceramics, furniture and so on, offering a wide selection of products coming from around Uzès (no further than 250 km).

Un site, une page Instagram, des box, A French Collection, c’est un peu tout ça à la fois, en fait.

Mais A French Collection, c’est aussi et surtout la touche de sa créatrice, Annette Charlton, une australienne tombée amoureuse de la France en 2009.

You wish to enjoy your garden in the Gard ? First you have to learn a bit more about the plants of the region.

God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.  Francis Bacon (1625) Essays ‘Of Gardens’