Ma campagne lorraine – My Lorraine Countryside
I am about to pack my bags and drive back to Paris for a last stop, before returning to Boston. And guess what, the sun is back. Spring is finally here and the sun feels really good.
While in the French capital, I walked around pastry stores and gorgeous pâtisserie windows that were beauty on their own. But if you remember well, my heart and memories are also elsewhere, where I grew up. After my Parisian stop, I enjoyed days spent in Lorraine where I am from with my family, between going to local vegetable markets where my mum and sister-in-law shop, to walking in the beautiful countryside that I love so much. I cooked a few dishes for meals shared with my family, but generally speaking I was more or less treated at people’s tables, which really felt like a good vacation. Ah les vacances à la campagne! (Mmmm, spending one’s vacation in the countryside!) I have to acknowledge however that I miss my kitchen and feel my hands fidgety to get into cooking again! Very soon indeed!
What about taking you on a tour of this area of France, if you do not know it.
Moselle en Lorraine – Moselle District in Lorraine
Vegetables at Erstroff: a local farmer selling his vegetables, including at various open markets in the area.
Field flowers to be seen everywhere in the countryside.
Cherries almost ripe in my parents’ garden. The best thing is of course to steal them right from the tree, which was a favorite hobby of mine as a kid. Still is today! I just arrived too early in the season as they just started to get ripe.
I cooked these strawberry tartlets for my brother’s birthday dinner. The strawberries came from my mum’s garden.
And more vegetables, since I just love vegetables.
Réning, the village where my mum was born, about 5 kms from where I grew up. All around those villages, there is a whole network of field paths that allows you to walk from one village to another, which is what people used to do. I enjoyed rediscovering those paths, and get my feet muddy in the forest.
My friends the cows were very curious when I walked all alone in the fields. They kept following me when I walked by them. You can be alone for kilometers while walking around this area.
I hope you enjoyed the walk! I shall be back to cooking soon, as well as visiting your blogs. A bientôt!
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Soooo beautiful!
Comment by Alanna — On June, 6th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
Hi Bea,
I have only recently discovered your blog, and I just wanted to say that the photos are stunning. I almost feel as if I’ve been to France myself; thanks for sharing!
Comment by Jennifer — On June, 6th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
I really do love your photos, Bea!!
Comment by Kat — On June, 6th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
your photos! this pig! tout quoi!
Comment by lilizen — On June, 6th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Thank you so much for a very lovely walk. I saw those purple artichokes at Central Market today, now I wish I’d gotten them. They were so beautiful.
I much enjoyed the walk.
Comment by Tanna — On June, 6th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Awesome pics … I almost feel like I’m there too! Bon voyage!
Comment by Catherine — On June, 6th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
Superbes photos comme toujours with your touch
Comment by texmex — On June, 7th, 2006 at 12:44 am
Your photos are really amazing…
Comment by Fabienne — On June, 7th, 2006 at 1:20 am
C’est absolument superbe, les coquelicots et les marguerites, ouhaou le reste aussi d’aillleurs belle région, bien verte cette année à cause du temps, si pour nous c’est moyen, pour la nature c’est un régal !
Comment by mercotte — On June, 7th, 2006 at 1:26 am
C’est un vrai plaisir que de se balader dans ton pays… merci pour ces belles photos!
Comment by flo — On June, 7th, 2006 at 1:41 am
I really enjoyed the walk!!! j’aime réellement ton univers, et ces paysages, ces fruits, ces légumes gorgés de soleil, tout ce dont je rafolle….
Comment by alhya — On June, 7th, 2006 at 2:34 am
Thanks for the magnificent tour and beautiful pictures; I loved this post very much!!!
Bon retour à Boston…
Comment by Rosa — On June, 7th, 2006 at 2:59 am
C’est magnifique Bea, merci pour cette belle promenade. La France a l’air si belle vue au travers de ton objectif d’expat.
Comment by Gracianne — On June, 7th, 2006 at 3:01 am
Beautiful photos! La Belle France is so photogenic, n’est pas?
bisous,
Riana in Langue d’Oc
Comment by Riana — On June, 7th, 2006 at 4:35 am
Your pictures are totally astonishing!
Comment by Juliette Godart — On June, 7th, 2006 at 5:29 am
Que ça fait envie et pourtant la campagne je connais mais à ce moment précis j’aimerai pouvoir faire une bonne balade tranquille à travers les champs.
Comment by astridcmoi — On June, 7th, 2006 at 6:05 am
oups moi aussi j’ai grandi en Moselle à Florange mais jamais je n’ai cette region aussi belle que sur tes photos un vrai enchantement
Comment by veronica — On June, 7th, 2006 at 6:32 am
bonjour béa! i have never visited la lorraine, but your photo tour makes me yearn for a trip to France. the tartlets look amazing and the produce at the markets makes my mouth water. big gorgeous bouquets of légumes! quel plaisir.
Comment by kelli ann — On June, 7th, 2006 at 8:04 am
I’m so glad you took us on a tour with you! What a beautiful countryside.
Comment by Natalie — On June, 7th, 2006 at 8:54 am
Bea,
What a beautiful countryside to grow up in! The photos are so gorgeous – and I love the pig! I’m glad you had a wonderful trip!
Comment by Anita — On June, 7th, 2006 at 10:52 am
Elle est bien belle ta Lorraine… Superbes photos comme toujours, tu réussis à enchanter la campagne française !
Comment by Liza — On June, 7th, 2006 at 11:49 am
that is all so beautiful it almost hurts! what a privilege to have grown up in such an astounding place. enjoy every last moment!
Comment by iamchanelle — On June, 7th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
*thud*
Comment by Krysten — On June, 7th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
Absolutely lovely and I mean LOVELY photos Bea!!
Comment by rowena — On June, 8th, 2006 at 12:55 am
What a beautiful walk! Thank you for sharing this! I’ve never seen such beautiful scenery. Everything looks so serene and peaceful. Safe travels to you!
Comment by Dianka — On June, 8th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
What beautiful photos!
¡Estoy envioso! (Which is Spanish, and nearly as exotic, for what I wish I could say in French: I’m jealous!)
Comment by Doug Wilcox — On June, 8th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Bea, you make me wish I could hop a plane and go to France! Beautiful photos!
Comment by Cath — On June, 9th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Oh my sweet Bea!
What a lovely journey and I thank you for “taking me with you”.
I’m sending you a big hug!
Comment by Ivonne — On June, 9th, 2006 at 7:02 pm
wow, it truly looks beautiful in this corner of the world.
Comment by jenjen — On June, 10th, 2006 at 1:57 am
A beautiful visit to the countryside, and full of food! I don’t know that area at all — thanks for the trip.
Comment by bcinfrance — On June, 10th, 2006 at 3:37 am
Bonnes vacances.
Comment by fanny — On June, 11th, 2006 at 4:10 am
Thanks you all for your really nice comments (merci à tous pour vos très gentils commentaires). I returned to Boston and once I deal with the jet-lag, I will be fully back! (Je suis rentrée à Boston. Une fois le décalage horaire résolu, je serai complètement de retour)
Comment by Béa — On June, 11th, 2006 at 5:28 am
Tes photos m’ont rappelé une belle région où nous avons vécu 7 ans. Nous y avons gardé des amis. Merci pour ce reportage. Repose-toi du décalage horaire. A bientôt!
Comment by menus propos — On June, 11th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Hey Bea,
Your photographs are amazing!!
We live in Basel and up until now haven’t really explored Alsace to any great extent. I would love any tips you could share of great (foodie or non-foodie) places to visit.
Pam
Comment by Pamela — On June, 12th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Ravie de te faire un coucou de Moselle où aujourd’hui nous avons dépassé les 30°.
Tes photos de notre belle Moselle sont très jolies
Comment by Corinne — On June, 12th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
Merci pour ces photos qui nous donnent hâte d’habiter dans ce village où la construction de notre maison débute.
Comment by Laurent — On June, 17th, 2006 at 1:25 pm