Upstate NY is gorgeous. Juliette Hermant, Founder of Maison Bergogne, gave us a full itinerary so you can visit and enjoy a long weekend in Narrowsburg!
Upstate NY is so beautiful and most visitors and even New Yorkers don’t know about the amazing people and places they can find.
Our Founder, Fernanda Paronetto, fell in love with Maison Bergogne, an antique, décor and design services shop in Narrowsburg, upstate New York. So, she decided to interview Juliette Hermant, the owner.
To start, Juliette Hermant is a painter, photographer and interior designer, who moved to the U.S. from Paris in 2007. She lived in Los Angeles working as an artist. Then, moved to the East Coast in search of a stronger sense of community.
Juliette didn’t really find it in Williamsburg (where she lived). Her strong, buzzing energy left her yearning for a different life. She wanted a place she could do meaningful work that was needed while feeling grounded in nature.
So, in 2012, she ended up in Narrowsburg, a historic Catskills hamlet perfectly situated along the Delaware River, just across the bridge from Pennsylvania.
There is a long history of artists in the town. So, it seemed full of potential to her.
Juliette acquired a beautiful brick 1920’s industrial building that had been boarded up and breathed new life into it, opening Maison Bergogne. She filled this emporium with antiques and vintage pieces, 90% of which are local to the Catskills, and offered her interior design services to local homeowners and businesses in partnership with Anie Stanley of Woolheater Wares.
She also set about engaging with the community to work on revitalizing the area. Moreover, this included developing a community garden and tending beehives on her rooftop. Over the years, she has become very invested in enhancing the town through initiatives with the Narrowsburg Beautification Group and Main Street Merchants.
Juliette’s interest in permaculture has crystallized through her latest venture Fish & Bicycle. Foodies and makers collaborate with her desire to serve the Catskill’s bountiful flavors through local feasts, while also passing on skills and knowledge.
Below are Juliette’s top tips in Narrowsburg and surroundings. It’ll be of great help to plan your Day-Trip or Weekend-Trip:
Part of Narrowsburg’s charm is its ideal location, perched above the picturesque “Big Eddy” of the Delaware River. Wild flora and fauna abound, including white-tailed deer, bald eagles and black bear. Lately, there has been an influx of New York City transplants and visitors to the area. In addition, new businesses are springing up.
The most beautiful approach to the town is along Route 97, a scenic byway that runs along the river. And, the nearest bus and train stations are more than half an hour away – in Monticello and Port Jervis, respectively. So, coming up by car is a good idea. (You can rent your car through our Concierge Services).
One Grand Books
“In addition to his day job as Editor of Out Magazine, Aaron Hicklin runs a bookshop named One Grand Books, on Main Street.
He asked his glamorous circle of friends and acquaintances (including Tilda Swinton, Jay McInerney and Marianne Faithful) to name the 10 books they’d take with them if they were marooned on a desert island and has stocked the shop accordingly. Plus, occasionally, local authors have readings there.”
Location: 60 Main Street, Narrowsburg
Le Petite Cabine
If you need time away from the city and want to be immersed in nature, this is surely what you’re looking for.
“Just a 5-minutes drive from town, this rustic 1950 timber-frame cabin delivers quiet seclusion in nature. Le Petite Cabine boasts private frontage on the bucolic Ten Mile River.
A clawfoot bathtub and an outdoor shower and a fireplace made of blue stone. In addition, plenty of old-fashioned in-the-mountains charm, thanks in large part to the artful styling of Maison Bergogne and Woolheater Ware’s collaboration.
You can also inquire about rental, time-share options and the nearby queer-friendly artists’ retreat with Smokey Belles.
Location: Nearby Narrowsburg hamlet & Delaware River
Stickett Inn
“With their special brand of tongue-in-cheek humor, set designer Roswell Hamrick and his partner, fashion maven Johnny Pizzolatto, bring loads of style and character to this delightful Stickett Inn.
Plus, it’s located just 20 minutes South, in Barryville. From the little shack in front that functions as kind of lobby—think Intelligenstia coffee, Malin & Goetz candles and locally made treats — to the themed rooms, outdoor hot tub and fire pits, it offers fun and relaxation in equal measure.”
Prices range from $150-$245.
Location: 3380 Route 97, Barryville
Mildred’s Lane
“Co-founded by J. Morgan Puett, this artist’s enclave is situated on 96 rustic acres deep in the woods of rural Northeastern Pennsylvania. It’s just over the bridge from Narrowsburg.
In addition, the summer program at Mildred’s Lane includes Friday evening events in their gallery space on Main Street, in Narrowsburg. Plus, dinners onsite every Saturday following presentations by visiting artists. The artist-constructed bonfires are a highlight!”
Location: 517 Plank Road, Beach Lake, PA
Narrowsburg Farmers Market
“Just coming off its first season, this community market is held on Friday evenings, perfect for weekenders who want to stock up on locally grown produce and indulge in fresh fare, including beer, cider and spirits.
Narrowsburg Farmers Market is located at the Union, a new multi-use complex converted from the town’s former school. Plus, you will meet farmers, growers and “makers”. Charles Wilkin from 2Queens has been my beekeeping mentor and his knotweed honey is especially delicious!”
Location: 7 Erie Avenue, Narrowsburg
www.narrowsburgfarmersmarket.org
Tusten Heritage Community Garden
“Inquire at Maison Bergogne for a tour of this lovely garden dedicated to permaculture, heirloom plants and pollinator species, called Tusten Heritage Community Garden.
Inside are 22 raised beds designed by founder and artist Andrea Reynosa, who referenced the I Ching and used the elemental symbols as a template. So, if you’re lucky, you may get to taste some of the wonderful vegetables and herbs. And, it’s all grown by local residents and business owners.”
Location: Behind the Narrowsburg Public Library. From Bridge Street you turn down Demauro Lane by the Town Hall.
Ba and Me
“This mini chain of eateries, Ba and Me, is a great example of the new fast-casual: delicious, healthy and totally addictive. Owner Nhi Mundy saw a real need for ethnic food in the area and opened up two Vietnamese cafes.
The first, in Callicoon (about 15 minutes north of Narrowsburg), is a glorified takeout window. The second, for which Maison Bergogne and Woolheater Wares collaborated on the décor, is over the bridge in Honesdale, PA. And, they also offer indoor seating. Don’t miss the summer rolls!”
Location: 1023 Main Street, Honesdale, PA
Dyberry Weaver
“Charles Hadley Blanchard, known as the Dyberry Weaver (Dyberry is a tiny hamlet in Pennsylvania), is an artisan who makes magical things out of linen, wool, silk and local alpaca.
In his Main Street studio, Dyberry Weaver, you will discover sumptuous rugs, handbags and ponchos displaying great subtlety and craftsmanship. In short, his work is truly original and found only in Narrowsburg.”
Location: 101 Main Street, Narrowsburg
Thank you, Juliette, for these fantastic tips in Narrowsburg and surroundings. Plus, keep up the fantastic work at Maison Bergogne!
And, if you need help to plan your trip, or assistance to put together a company outing or annual retreat, contact our experts!
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Gentl & Hyers, Julie Holder Powell, Juliette Hermant, Heidisbridge, Michael Mundy, Bette Blau & Steven Randazzo, Arden Wray, Laura Silverman and the venues.
*Last Update on March/2020.*
