La Vie Est Belle

La Vie est Belle is the perfect gift for Francophiles or those with a passion for the best things in life—elegant interiors, ageless beauty and tradition, and fine food and wine.

“France has the only two things toward which we drift as we grow older—intelligence and good manners.” F. Scott Fitzgerald

This celebration and distillation of the spirit of France provides a privileged glimpse inside 18 ravishing French homes, from chateaux to farmhouses, as well as the regions in which they are set, including Normandy, Brittany, the Ile de Ré, Paris, Provence, the Loire, and Bordeaux. The book also features insightful essays on the traditions and characteristics of French life, including pavement cafés, vineyards, classic French furniture and fabrics, regional food specialties, and more. Interspersed throughout the book are recipes for authentic French dishes and quotations from great writers and philosophers, designed to immerse you in the culture and ambience of the French way of life.

Henrietta Heald is a writer and editor whose most recent book has been shortlisted for two literary prizes. Her love of France dates from childhood, since when she has been a regular visitor to the country, learning at first hand about its history, culture, food, and wine.