Sunday, November 1, 2015

Bienvenus Automne: Fall in France

Every once in a while, when a great travel bargain and those tricky airline points serendipitously align, an opportunity for adventure arises. This October I was delighted to travel to France for an (all too quick) boat trip on the lovely Seine river with stops in beautiful Normandy, an area I've always wanted to visit. 
on the river Normandy, CPaul2015
A highlight of the trip was a stop at the artist Claude Monet's garden in Giverny, and though it must be spectacular in Spring and Summer, the beautiful grounds, even at the end of the season, did not disappoint.
photos CPaul2015
  
changing trees, Giverny France CPaul2015
I soon learned that the region of Normandy is known worldwide for it's fine apples, delicious, but strong, calvados (an apple brandy) and exceptional cheeses. Boasting lush farmland, charming stone farmhouses and it's famous Norman cows, the area inspires rustic cozy recipes perfect for celebrating the crisp arrival of Fall.
I thought I'd recreate a little taste of Normandy once at home with this simple apple tart from the Barefoot Contessa (click HERE for recipe)
topped with a chantilly cream recipe I found on about food.com

Calvados can be pricey and tricky to find, 
but you can easily substitute rum, water or apple juice
Frozen puff pastry sheets makes this an easy recipe for those 
with limited baking skills (moi!)
lovely for dessert or a breakfast treat

Photo CPaul2015
I halved this recipe and found it made enough for a generous dollop on each serving

served warm or at room temperature, these tarts are perfect with a cup of tea and good book

 Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile
                                         William Cullen Bryant 
Wishing everyone all the joys of Fall!



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24 comments:

  1. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasNovember 3, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    Beautiful photos!! Thanks so much for visiting!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  2. Bernideen November 3, 2015 at 9:50 AM

    I love the home too at Giverny and the colors inside. I would love to visit those gardens as over the years I have cut out many magazine photos of it. So glad you shared. I just made an Apple Tart myself recently and this is the perfect season for that!

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 3, 2015 at 10:57 AM

      Thanks Bernideen- and you're so right the colors inside the house were wonderful- loved his yellow and blue tiled kitchen!- will have to share some more photos later on! I love apple anything in Fall :)

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  3. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageNovember 3, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    Those gardens would be such a treat to visit. The vibrant colours are simply splendid. My son has been to France three times but not to Normandy yet. That apple tart looks delicious and I like the fancy name for whipped cream; Vanilla Chantilly Cream. This is the same way I make my whipped cream and I think I shall start calling it Vanilla Chantilly Cream :) Thank you for sharing and have a lovely day.

    Autumn blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 3, 2015 at 11:03 AM

      Thanks Sandi,
      This was my first time in the Normandy area and it was lovely and full of history- So funny when I saw the recipe for Chantilly cream I thought it would be some fancy recipe too- and you've been making it all these years! :) Thanks for visiting and hosting your delightful parties!

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  4. MargieNovember 3, 2015 at 8:02 PM

    Thanks for the armchair travel to Normandy. Your yummy apple tart is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea!

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  5. Brenda Leyland @ Its A Beautiful LifeNovember 3, 2015 at 11:32 PM

    What a lovely post. I do love Monet works and I hope one day to visit his garden! Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. And that recipe, oh my, that looks quite delicious.

    My first time visit ... came over from Sandi's.

    Wishing you a beautiful day...
    Brenda

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 4, 2015 at 8:01 AM

      Thanks so much Brenda,
      I'm such a fan of Monet so this visit had been on my "must see" list forever.
      Delighted you stopped by :)

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  6. Antiques And TeacupsNovember 4, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Wondeful! I have always enjoyed our visits to France...and Giverny was a favorite place. I love your collage! The recipe is wonderful! cest magnifique! Like something from the patisseries that are so hard to not visit all the time! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 5, 2015 at 8:58 AM

      Thanks so much Ruth
      This was my first visit to Giverny and I would just love to go back someday - I agree completely about those irresistible patisseries too- Thanks goodness we walked a lot on our tours and burned off some of those calories :)

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  7. KathyB.November 6, 2015 at 3:02 AM

    Such a beautiful place , and it sounds delicious too. To visit Monet's garden would be a real pleasure.

    The Vanilla Chantilly Cream is something I'll be whipping up soon for the holiday pies. Thank-you for this blog tour and recipe. I can only imagine given the brief pics of your trip how much more beautiful and tasty it must have been.

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 6, 2015 at 8:26 AM

      Thanks so much Kathy! The trip was such fun but of course flew by too fast. I'll probably be posting more photos in future posts.
      The cream would be perfect for pies- I think next time I'll increase the sugar to make it a little sweeter
      Thanks for visiting!

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  8. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonNovember 9, 2015 at 12:20 AM

    Oh what a wonderful trip! Would love to visit France some day. The gardens do look simply gorgeous!! Yum, the tart and cream look simply delicious! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 9, 2015 at 8:00 AM

      Thanks Jann,
      Monet's house and garden was a place I had always wanted to visit- so even in Fall that was such a treat. Thanks for visiting and of course for hosting your delightful parties :)

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  9. memorial garden benchesNovember 11, 2015 at 4:36 AM

    It would be a wonderful visit! I would love to visit those gardens.

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 11, 2015 at 9:17 AM

      They were really lovely- would love to go back in the Spring - someday :)

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  10. JESNovember 13, 2015 at 4:36 AM

    What a beautiful blog! I have really enjoyed these stunning photos of Fall in France and have found you via Frou Frou Friday. Thank you for sharing them! Have a wonderful weekend! :)

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 16, 2015 at 11:32 AM

      Thanks so much for visiting! So glad you enjoyed the post please pop back again :)
      just love from Frou Frou friday

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  11. Decor To AdoreNovember 16, 2015 at 11:14 AM

    Truly lovely images. Wish there was a taste button on the computer.
    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 16, 2015 at 11:34 AM

      Thanks so much for visiting! A taste button-That is too funny!
      Cheers :)

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  12. DanielaNovember 25, 2015 at 12:03 PM

    What amazing images of the French Autumn !
    Your blog is really wonderful, I'm glad to follow you.

    Sending love and hugs
    Daniela

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    1. Christina PaulNovember 26, 2015 at 3:33 PM

      Thanks so much for visiting!
      I'm so glad you enjoyed the post and delighted you'll be following :)

      Delete

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