Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, embracing slow mornings and unhurried garden days is one of the greatest luxuries this place offers.
The Art of the French Breakfast
In France, breakfast — le petit déjeuner — is a light but deeply pleasurable ritual. It’s not rushed or eaten on the go. It’s a quiet, essential part of the day that sets the tone for everything that follows.
At La Maison de Colette, mornings begin with a walk to the village boulangerie, where the scent of freshly baked bread and warm croissants spills onto the street. A traditional breakfast might include a crisp baguette, butter from Normandy, homemade jam, and perhaps a soft-boiled egg or a piece of fruit.
Coffee — strong, dark, and hot — is served in wide cups or bowls (bols), perfect for dunking slices of bread. It’s sipped slowly, ideally outside on the terrace, with the sunlight rising and the garden still fresh with dew.
Savoring the Silence: Morning as a Mindset
There’s something deeply grounding about waking up without an alarm, letting the morning unfold on its own terms. The pace of country life allows space — to breathe, to reflect, to reconnect with yourself.
Modern life often teaches us to chase productivity. But here, mornings are about presence. A walk through the garden. A few pages of a novel. A quiet stretch. These small acts, repeated daily, create a sense of well-being that lasts far beyond the stay itself.
Studies in positive psychology show that our brains are most creative and open to insight when we allow ourselves to drift — not push — through the first part of the day. What better setting for that than a riverbank, an old chestnut tree, and birdsong in the background?
Garden Days and Gentle Movement
After breakfast, the garden beckons. With its mature trees, flower beds, and riverside views, it’s more than just a place to sit — it’s an invitation to live outdoors.
Some guests spend hours here — sketching, writing, napping, or watching clouds drift by. Others pick up a tennis racket and head to the court for some friendly play. And for those who prefer nature on foot, the countryside trails begin just beyond the gate.
No matter your pace, there’s always time here: for a second cup of coffee, for a slow conversation, for noticing the small details — a bee on a bloom, the rustle of wind through the leaves, the sound of children playing in the distance.
Lunch Without a Clock
In true French fashion, meals are never rushed. Whether you’ve shopped at the local market or prepared something simple in our guest kitchen, lunch becomes part of the day’s pleasure — not a break from it. Eat outside under the trees or set a table indoors with linen napkins and local wine.
Take your time. Let one course become two. Follow it with a walk or a nap. This is how time expands.
An Invitation to Do Less, and Feel More
There’s no need for plans or lists at La Maison de Colette. Here, doing very little is not just allowed — it’s encouraged. Rest is not idleness; it’s restoration.
So wake up when you wake up. Brew your coffee slowly. Let breakfast stretch into mid-morning. Let the garden decide your afternoon. You may discover that these quiet, slow moments are the most meaningful of all.
