Les vacances

The story opens in the bustling Château de Fleurville, where Camille, Madeleine, Marguerite and Sophie dart through corridors, arranging flowers and gathering moss for a welcome that feels both hurried and hopeful. Their chatter and the scent of dahlias fill the air, creating a vivid picture of a summer holiday that promises play, laughter, and the sweet anticipation of new visitors.

When the carriage finally breaks through the forest gate, the children’s excitement erupts into a lively reunion with their cousins Léon, Jean and the spirited little Jacques. Each boy brings his own spark—Léon’s teasing charm, Jean’s earnest courage, and Jacques’s mischievous spark—while Sophie, newly taken into the household, watches from the edge, unsure of her place. The scene sets a gentle tension between belonging and outsiderhood, hinting at the friendships and small adventures that will unfold over the coming days.