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Ramblings of a retiree in France
The French wear a lot of glasses and sunglasses consequently every high street has numerous eyewear outlets. This company, one of the newer brands, is one of my faves, quite possibly because of its catchy name. IZIPIZI are fashionable, reasonably-priced glasses from Paris. Since… Continue Reading “French Fancies: IZIPIZI”
Of course a lot of France’s companies are involved in food, clothing, perfumes, jewellery, cosmetics ……but not all! Here’s a family-led group founded in Paris in 1921, which today is established throughout France and operates globally. Chabé’s ten subsidiary companies are experts in bespoke… Continue Reading “French fancies: Chabé”
If you’re a cycling fan you’ll have heard of Samsic as it’s co-sponsor of the French Pro-Conti cycling team Arkea-Samsic, though I appreciate you may not know what the company does. If you’re not into cycling, you may not even have heard of it. Samsic’s… Continue Reading “French Fancies: Samsic”
This week I turn my attention to a well-known, beloved brand which is still family owned. Bonne Maman is a French brand of jam, marmalade, compotes, desserts, cakes and biscuits.The brand was created by Andros in 1971 as a mass-produced product with a home-made feel,… Continue Reading “French fancies: Bonne Maman”
I usually focus on small, family-run enterprises but today I’ve turned my attention to a conglomerate, the Association Familiale Mulliez (AFM) which is the holding company of the Mulliez family’s many interests. A large part of what the French regularly consume belongs to the Mulliez… Continue Reading “French Fancies: AFM”
This week’s tale is one of Franco-American immigration! A Norman family who left France in 1648 to join the Quaker colony in Providence, RI, then generations later a certain David returned to France to start producing and exporting porcelain. How it all began David… Continue Reading “French fancies: Haviland Porcelain”
I’ve written a bit about Champagne but not covered many of the venerable houses. Veuve Clicquot has to be one of the more well-known ones. How it all began Philippe Clicquot, who came from a family of bankers and textile merchants, owned a vineyard.… Continue Reading “French fancies: Champagne Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin”
Anyone who’s travelled extensively in the Far East cannot have failed to notice how much they love French goods, all French goods. Today I’m shining the spotlight on French designer brand AMI founded by Frenchman Alexandre Mattiussi, born in Normandy in 1980, who studied… Continue Reading “French Fancies: AMI”
Until recently this has been very much a word-of-mouth brand but no longer as it recently arrived with quite a splash in Harrods, London, taking over its windows with an impressive display. Moynat could justifiably claim to be the world’s most luxurious bag maker,… Continue Reading “French Fancies: Moynat”
I haven’t yet seen the film Downton Abbey: A New Era but I understand that parts of it were filmed not too far from me at Villa Rocabella, a house with an interesting provenance. Invisible except from the sea, Villa Rocabella, nestled in a vast… Continue Reading “The House where Downton holidayed”
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