Villa 1013 in Provence, France

Tall, grandiose, dominating the countryside, this ancient mansion house is certainly majestic. On first sight there are so many details to take in, details like the walls of the building, the details of the provençal style roofing, its stairways, its wooden statues, its chapel-style architecture, its windows and fireplaces. One can only guess at the true age of this magnificent building, can only imagine parties that might have gone on here, hard times it may have survived through. From a vineyard castle to a fortified farmstead and then further on to become a mansion house, this building is still here, after now becoming a castle again. Chiara came to pass by here, and dreamt of a sheltered place for her artwork.

Accomodation

Underneath century old pines, the surroundings captivate us in a sort of Florentine atmosphere as we approach the north entrance of the house by a gravelled alleyway bordered by cypress trees. We are greeted by a turquoise door complete with Romanesque carvings.

The hall walls are painted, and the painted doors trick the eye into thinking that they aren’t there, while antique wooden lead-painted stands hold the statues that reside therein. All the furnishings are fantastic, ample and voluminous. Tapestries of heavy ivory material and natural linen clothe the walls. The light and dark of the surroundings are played with in an attempt to grasp the essence of the place.

The library is a nice simple room. It is also a television room and has a stone chimney and some shelving space where a few books lie peacefully. Terracotta tiles cover the floor as in the rest of the house. Their shape and colour are typical of this region. Everything here is deeply rooted in calm serenity. There is also a lovely painted ceiling. Following the light a little further along the hall we arrive on the left where there are doors with engraved glass panels which open into an indescribable living room that is separated from the huge dining room by a structural arcade. This room is adjacent to the dining room which provides access to the south terrace by the bay windows. A large beige table, which provides seating for twelve, is surrounded by fabric-captioned chairs. Wooden turquoise blue display cabinet and a beautiful library in blue and gold painted wood decorate this dining space.

The Elvire Bedroom whose painted wood headboard evokes a policeman’s hat, and whose linen bed covers an almond, and the cupboards, some insane antique shop: twin beds, A window to the south offers an undisturbed view of the garden and the surrounding hills. A pretty veined marble fireplace and original wardrobe complete this bedroom.

The Leporello Bedroom. A delicious harmony of caramel and blonde tobacco envelopes this bedroom which is provided with a window to the south as well as a charming marble chimney. Such an air of lightness floats about this space.

The Médicis Bedroom whose ceiling is ornate with a drawing framed by lateral fresques. The swimming pool can be seen through the two north facing windows. The twin beds with their interlacing green yet grey metalwork seem to entwine this bedroom with a delicate cherubin touch of grace.

The Primavera Bedroom is profound with extraordinary painted wooden bedding (twin beds) This room has a lovely arrangement, a decorative wooden fireplace, and two windows that open onto the back of the house, underneath the pine trees.

The garden seems to have come out of dream, or a book : Characteristic of the residences of the period a double stairs with ivy-covered banisters rises up from the terrace opposite the house walls. This double stairs leads to the garden. which would have itself uniquely French yet which, as soon as you step out to stroll around it, takes on an English air that gives it lots of youth and freshness. Next to the swimming pool a stone pigeon-hold shelters its usual inhabitants and twisted olive trees are a reminder that we are in Provence.

The south terrace that covers the entire length of the house is partially covered and thus provides an outside living space. There is elegant garden furniture and a trellis covered with roses and jasmine.

Services

• 3 to 4 hours of daily housework are required by the owner which are directly payable to the cleaning lady at the rate of 12 € per hour.
• Coordinator: Obligatory when the house fulfils its maximum capacity. 300€ per week at the expense of the occupant.
• The gardener lives on the grounds and maintains the garden.
• All house linen is supplied except for towels for the swimming pool.
• The final cleaning is 280€ at the cost of the occupant and must be paid on the evening before departure.

No very young unsupervised children, as the canal located at the back of the property is a hazard.

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