Indholdsfortegnelse for May/June 2024 i Victoria

Dear Friends Isn’t it amazing to consider how inspiration begets inspiration? As an exchange student, Writer-in-Residence Jennifer L. Scott gleaned lessons in the art of living from her Parisian hosts. Years later, memories of preparing meals with Madame Chic inform not only the author’s everyday cooking but also the From Our Table menu developed for this issue—recipes that chefs in the Victoria test kitchens hope will become reader favorites: served to loved ones and even passed down to future generations. Author B. J. Nesbitt surmises that our lives are made up of our experiences, both positive and negative, adding that “like a flowing river, those same experiences, and those yet to come, continue to influence and reshape the person we are, and the person we become.” Looking to our May/June…

Cradled by ancient ramparts, Dinan rises on a hilltop in the northwest corner of France. Clusters of half-timbered abodes accessorized with vibrant shutters and blossoming flower boxes mingle with medieval relics, from an array of military towers to a romantic fourteenth-century castle. As if designed for a cinematic period piece, the picturesque destination remains remarkably well-preserved. Brittany officially became a part of the country in 1532, but the region retains a distinguishable personality. In Dinan, Celtic influence is discernable by the cheery folk music playing in the streets and red-haired locals chatting in their native Breton language. Although the Celts are the earliestrecorded inhabitants, nearby megalith stone monuments hint at residents from thousands of years ago. History enthusiasts find their quest for stories fully satisfied. The fortified walls of the…

One could easily mistake the streets of a French city for a fashion show catwalk, as the natives have a worldwide reputation for their impeccable taste in haute couture. If there is one itinerary item not to be missed on a trip to France, it’s shopping; and one store, perhaps a secret source to some, boasts a luxe array of merchandise. As the doors open toLa Maison Renouard, the scent of leather imbues the air with earthy appeal, while displays of purses, belts, shoes, silk scarves, and more draw the eye. In 1891, Joseph Renouard fashioned leather footwear for the patrons of Saint-Lormel, a quaint commune in the Côtes-d’Armor department of Brittany. Today, five generations of the entrepreneur’s lineage have burgeoned the business, opening fourteen shopfronts across the country primarily…

It’s a dreary late spring day at my home in Canada. Staring out the picture window that frames a view of bare trees out back, stealing a quiet moment to catch thoughts while my toddler naps, I notice the sudden flash of a red-breasted robin alighting on the lilac next door. This overgrown and unruly bush has a habit of deciding to bloom randomly—always a surprise when delightfully puffy petals appear, perfuming the air with sweet scents. Every year, this lilac teases with limey bunches budding with promise, yet, more often than not, they remain dormant, shrinking back into twiggy remnants before disappearing altogether behind bursting leaves. As I sit and ponder, impatient for the sun’s warmth to return, I remember the Linton lilacs. I’ve many fond memories of my…

Visit our website to read this issue’s online stories and to find more of the content you love. Take a closer look at some of our favorite May/June features: Jeanne d’Arc Centuries after the young heroine lived, the legendary courage of Joan of Arc continues to intrigue and inspire, drawing visitors to sites related to her history. Joy by the Basketful Using creative ideas gleaned from our editors and stylists, revive the charming customs of celebrating May Day in true Victoria style. From Their Tables Discover recipes—including a special dish developed to honor 2024 Writer-in-Residence Jennifer L. Scott—with links to personalities highlighted in our pages. A Royal Refuge Bridging the Cher River, dreamy Château de Chenonceau boasts ties to the likes of notable women Catherine de’ Medici and Diane de…

Delftware is one of the most unique styles of pottery to have emerged from Europe, with striking blue-and-white designs that have become truly iconic. It is a symbol of pride for the Dutch, and more than four hundred years of history can be traced through its development, beginning in the seventeenth century and lasting up until today. I don’t know when it started, but my passion for this collectible has permeated every aspect of my life. I have even been known to abruptly gasp, “Stop the car!” to my husband when a piece in a shop window catches my eye. This pottery has become a blue-and-white lifestyle that now surrounds me at every moment. The colors complement nearly any combination of flowers, and the act of carefully choosing each piece…

“THE WORLD’S FAVORITE SEASON IS THE SPRING. ALL THINGS SEEM POSSIBLE IN MAY.”—Edwin Way Teale “AMONG THE CHANGING MONTHS, MAY STANDS CONFEST THE SWEETEST, AND IN FAIREST COLOURS DRESSED!”—James Thomson SEE RECIPE INDEX, PAGE 105, FOR RECIPE INFORMATION. Find creative May Day ideas at victoriamag.com.…

When summer sunlight falls on the Loire Valley, it almost seems like a golden beam of blessing, carrying abundant peace in the warmth of its glow, as if bestowing a gift directly from heaven. Situated in the heart of the French countryside, this region is known for a profusion of cultural heritage sites and fruitful vineyards and is as perfect a place to call home as anywhere on Earth could ever be. For more than twenty years, British native David Hare has taken up residence here in France. An interior designer by trade, he has skill and knowledge in creating spaces that evoke these senses of comfort, elegance, and history that the Loire effortlessly embodies. Though beginning his career as a writer, David quickly found that he longed to create,…

Embraced by the strength and structure of the loom and guided by the wisdom of the weaver, thread after thread is wrapped into a remarkable tapestry filled with color, life, and imagination. This art of making fabric by hand can sometimes seem lost to our society, time having surged forward alongside industry, threatening to leave many truly remarkable crafts behind. But if we look back to the traditions and methods of days gone by, we may find a breath of inspiration stirring within us as we carry the legacy of yore into the future. Aubusson tapestry is one such legacy that still thrives today. A centuries-old craft of weaving images into fabric, its reputation stretches across the globe so strongly that the word Aubusson—which originally indicated the region of France…

“Hi, Melody! Where’s Harmony?” I would heave a sigh when I heard the inevitable question as I strolled across my college campus. As the youngest of four children in a very musical family, I didn’t understand why I was the only one with a musical term for a name. My mother was an accomplished pianist but wasn’t inclined to name her children with such words—until I came along. When I asked her why, she responded, “When I was pregnant with your older sister, whose name I had already chosen, I saw a beautiful baby girl named Melody and decided that if I were fortunate enough to have another daughter, Melody would be her name.” So here I came! Of course, I loved to sing and play the piano as well…

“I PICTURED A GIRL WHO MADE EVERY MOMENT, EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHED, AND EVERYONE AROUND HER FEEL LIGHTER AND SWEETER.”—Rainbow Rowell…

It is said that one should first approach Château de Chenonceau from the water. After all, it is rare indeed—even in the Loire Valley, where hundreds of castles rest along the river’s path—to behold a grand façade rising from within the waterway itself. Given proper light, reflections of the Cher dance mesmerizingly over the bright stone walls, structures that house fascinating tales spanning centuries of history. The story of Chenonceau begins in the medieval era, when the Marques family erected a castle on the banks of the river Cher. Their fortress was razed in the early 1500s as a new owner, Thomas Bohier, a prominent treasurer to King Francis I, decided to rebuild on its foundation. Fortunately, in honor of the domain’s previous lords, he left one of the four…