Francophile Favourites: Janet Hulstrand on Life in Champagne Country

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Francophile Favourites: Janet Hulstrand on Life in Champagne Country

Every morning at 7am the church bells ring out the beginning of a new day. Most mornings I hear them from across the fields, and every time I hear them they trigger awareness of a deep joy and contentment for the good fortune that has allowed me to make my home here, in a little village in Champagne, near the border with Burgundy.

The first time I arrived in Essoyes it was an October morning at dawn. There was a chill in the air, a pre-dawn mist, and the sky was a soft pink. I was the passenger in a funky Renault Quatrelle being driven by Jacques, who would later become a dear friend. But at that time he was just the vigneron who had accepted me as a vendangeuse, to pick grapes in his vineyard, the adventure I had signed up for.

That decision – which did not really feel as much like a decision as an inevitability; for why in the world would I have turned down such an opportunity? – turned out to be of fundamental importance to the life I have led ever since, in a number of ways.

The church in Essoyes. Photo: Janet Hulstrand

Participating in the vendange was a wonderful experience. It was not easy, and it was not even exactly fun. It was (and is), first and foremost, hard work. The working days were long and the work was hard on knees, backs and hands. We picked for ten days straight, no days off – once the grapes are ready they need to be brought in, and brought in quickly. And the weather was not always good.

But when the weather was good the views of the surrounding vineyards and valleys were breathtaking. The food was incredible. The sound of the French language filling my ears was beautiful. And I was exposed to people I never would have encountered otherwise: the French university students who threatened to strike, the gypsy families who were only too happy to have work, the local villagers for whom this was an annual opportunity to earn badly-needed extra money.

Now, nearly 40 years later, Essoyes has become my home. My love of France, the French way of life, and of Essoyes itself, took hold that autumn – and that love has only grown deeper and stronger through the years.

The vineyards in autumn. Photo: Janet Hulstrand

In that first exposure to la France profonde I was introduced to two of the many things that have endeared me ever after to this country and its people.

The first is a love of the land, the earth, the soil; and a respect for it so deep and complex that it is encapsulated in one of those words that takes at least a paragraph to explain, terroir. Respect for terroir drives decision-making for French farmers as well as cooks (and connoisseurs), and it is this understanding of terroir that is a big part of the reason that French agricultural products and cuisine are recognised as superior.

Then there is accueil. The French are not known for being a particularly friendly people. But it is sometimes said that although they are not easy to get to know, once you have a French friend, you have a friend forever. I must have been lucky in this regard, for Jacques did not hesitate to extend his friendship to me and my friends, two other Americans who had also worked on the vendange. After the harvest was over, he told us we could stay in the bunkhouse we had been lodged in, for as long as we wanted. He drove us around the countryside, delighting in our delight at the beauty of the landscapes, which equalled his. He took us to the pressoir, where the grapes we had picked were pressed, and explained the complicated process of making champagne, which just begins when the grapes have been harvested. He introduced us to the music of Georges Brassens. And he and his wife invited us for a meal in their home that was simply one of the best I have ever had, or ever will have, in my life.

It’s a long story, how that first vendange led to my eventually coming to live in this little village halfway around the world from where I grew up. Happily, it is a story that is still unfolding.

From France Today magazine

Janet Hulstrand at home in Essoyes

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Janet Hulstrand is a freelance writer, editor, writing coach and teacher who divides her time between France and the U.S. She is the author of "Demystifying the French: How to Love Them, and Make Them Love You," and "A Long Way from Iowa: From the Heartland to the Heart of France." She writes frequently about France for Bonjour Paris, France Today, and a variety of other publications, including her blog, Writing from the Heart, Reading for the Road. She has taught “Paris: A Literary Adventure” for education abroad programs of the City University of New York since 1997, and she teaches online classes for Politics & Prose bookstore in Washington D.C. She is currently working on her next book in Essoyes, a beautiful little village in Champagne.

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Comments

  • MARLA
    2019-03-09 21:42:59
    MARLA
    Janet, I just finished Demystifying the French. Ideal and spot on! Our first trip was in '99. My mom and her family are French, Mom being first born American child to quite a large group of family. Bdfore the first trip,myy uncle gave us a few instructions regarding manners and the trip was a breeze. Actually SPECTACULAR! We've been back 7 more times and want to go again this year. I wanted to comment, also, on the child raising etc. If American families told their kids NO and if they were taught about manners, and standards and modes of dress besides backward ballcaps and tees we'd have a more gracious and attractive appearing county! Of course why would anyone anywhere wear a fanny pack and big ugly tennies to any place??? We live 6 miles from Disneyland so I see tourists.....ummmmmm. I'm nearly 70 and certainly do not have a French figure but I think grooming is so important in one's life but particularly when traveling in Paris. It is Chanel who said that it was important to fix up a little bit even if it is just out of politesse. (I'm para phrasing) France est tres belle? Merci, I loved the book!!!

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    • Janet Hulstrand
      2021-08-11 05:02:38
      Janet Hulstrand
      Marla, Thank you so much for your kind remarks, and I'm sorry for this very tardy reply. So glad you liked Demystifying the French! I hope you have been able to get back to France despite all the difficulties of travel in the past couple of years. Stay safe, and stay well.

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  • Kathy
    2018-09-20 01:39:21
    Kathy
    Janet, For some reason I was thinking of organic food back in the day and then the Wedge.. and I thought of you. We were roommates at Mankato State. So happy to know you found a very happy place in France and all you've done.

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    • Janet
      2018-09-23 08:03:57
      Janet
      Kathy, Wonderful to hear from you! I will send you an email separately. :-)

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  • Mary Jo Kolb
    2018-01-19 01:42:02
    Mary Jo Kolb
    Janet, we spent several days in Essoyes this past fall, mainly to walk in Renoir's footsteps and visit his newly restored home. But we took away so much more then these sweet memories. The serenity there demands you slow down, gaze at the river, and appreciate the moment. And the kindness of the residents towards strangers, like our hotel owner at Les Demoiselles who welcomed us to her terrace with an ice bucket for our bottle of Champagne purchased in town, so we could savor each bubble while gazing over the surrounding landscape. We'll never forget Essoyes.

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    • Janet Hulstrand
      2018-01-19 20:48:56
      Janet Hulstrand
      Mary Jo, Thank you so much for telling me about your wonderful visit to Essoyes. My friends here will be so happy to hear how well received you were, and what a nice time you had!

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  • Fran Ambrose
    2017-12-28 23:31:01
    Fran Ambrose
    Hi Janet, this is Fran, your houseguest a couple of years ago in Essoyes. I've never forgotten it so just wanted to thank you again for putting me up. Would you send me some Chaource and champagne? Just kidding. The champagne I brought back was definitely better than anything I can afford here. Of course, I could have a taste contest. Now as far as the cheese goes. It was divine. And on pizza....ah Hope you had a nice holiday. I just wrote something a little silly, so send me your address and I'll run to the Post. A bientot, Fran

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    • Janet Hulstrand
      2018-01-19 20:46:24
      Janet Hulstrand
      Hi Fran, So good to hear from you! I would love to see what you wrote. Can you send it to my email? Best to you and yours!

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  • Shirley Montgomery
    2017-10-25 17:49:00
    Shirley Montgomery
    Loved your article on le vendange ..I came to France when I was 17 and loved it immediately...sadly never picked grapes. I am now retired and live in France in the Cognac area....wonderful.

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    • Janet Hulstrand
      2018-01-19 20:45:11
      Janet Hulstrand
      Thank you so much, Shirley! Cognac is wonderful too! (Both the area and the brandy :-) )

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