Author: Claire Ashworth
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The Rental Story So Far…
Many people ask us the story behind Mas de Mahystre. Why do we rent it? How did we find it? Why the hell are we not still living in the South of France? The truth is, we fell in love with the place but at different stages of our lives, we need different things… We…
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Christmas 2018
Ten full days at Mas de Mahystre is a real treat for us. Winter brings different colours and experiences in St Come, with plenty of time for cooking, eating, chatting, backgammon, walking and reflecting. Especially at Christmas… Highlights are always: Nimes Les Halles food market on Christmas Eve, carefully choosing the chapon, oysters, cheese and…
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Spices in St.Côme
Spice rack – étagère à épices (I think – at least that’s what Google says). From my experience, hot spices are not something that the French really like. I think a good French friend of mine thought I was trying to poison him and his family when I served up spicy Thai fish soup, and…
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Christmas 2017
We have just returned from nine days in St Come for some restful family time and of course to celebrate Christmas! As the rascals grow up, the festive period still retains the magic and excitement but there seems an increasing importance to appreciate valuable family moments before they grow up completely! This year we had…
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Wisteria Love
This Easter we arrived in St Come, our corner of the south of France, just in time to see our terrace wisteria in full, glorious bloom. Never will I tire of their pungent, purple plumes, growing in confidence year on year. Within a few days, the petals were dancing in the breeze and by day…
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A Week In the Sun For Charity
Back in 2005, when we caught our first glimpse of Mas de Mahystre, never did we imagine it would become a second home, a home we would rent to guests. After nearly a year of hunting for homes within one hours drive of Montpellier, we arrived in St Come, a village in the Languedoc, on…
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Fantastic Summer Season
As Autumn creeps in and the heat of the summer sun fades into memory, our 2016 season in the south of france draws to a close. Many happy guests enjoyed hours relaxing by the pool and whiled away many more in the shade of the terrace, so conducive to long, rosé fuelled lunches and cooler,…
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South of France 2016
Welcome to our Summer Season 2016… The season has kicked off to a wonderful start and with the sunshine just around the corner, it can only be the south of France. Welcome to our lovely guests and we hope you all have a memorable holiday.
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Christmas in the South of France
Only a couple of weeks before we head off for Christmas in the south of France and excitement is mounting fast. By the time we arrive, Christmas Eve will be almost tangible, so first on the list will be finding a tree and enjoying the sweet scent of a Norwegian forest. Unravelling our treasured Christmas…
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The Quest For A Perfect Baguette
As a child on holiday in France, I could never understand the French families who nibbled greedily on warm baguettes straight from the boulangerie. Not to wait for some salty butter and sweet, apricot jam seemed ridiculous. They must have been ravenous or simply ignorant. A pain au chocolate, or a pain au raisin could…
