La Provence Profonde
Photos by Erica Simone

A Taste of Provence

French Property Insider
Volume VIII, Issue 30
July 29, 2010
Paris, France
adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider

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Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber,

We had three glorious days in Provence thanks to my photographer daughter's participation in "Les Nuits de Pierrevert" -- a photo festival organized by a group of "VIPhotographers" from all over the world. I took the TGV (Train à Grand Vitesse) to Aix-en-Provence (3 hours and 3 minutes), rented a car and headed into the countryside.

We opted to stay in a "chambre d'hôte" (bed and breakfast) not far away in the tiny village of "Lurs" -- a typical french stone farmhouse turned B&B by a french couple who love to welcome others into their home and live a quiet life in Provence.

"La Grande Bastide" was 600 plus m2 renovated to accommodate guests in four rooms/suites. An outdoor terrace was a perfect spot to serve breakfast and take in the scenery. Patrick and Julia Orttner, like many owners of countryside B&B's take tremendous pride and pleasure in taking good care of their guests including feeding them homemade regional goodies such as fruit preserves, yogurt, cakes and in this case, mousse-like "pain perdu" (French toast) not possible anywhere else in the world, but France.

(If you'd like to read the whole story about the weekend in Provence and see photos taken by Erica Simone visit parlerparis/issues/pparis26-7-10.html)

As we visited the Provencal countryside, particularly the area known as "Le Luberon," it was easy to dream about owning one's own "maison de village" (village house) or stone farmhouse. This area of France is one of the most heavenly spots on the planet. While the scenery is not dramatic like the Grand Canyon or the Sahara Desert, there is something very calming and almost spiritual about the landscape made up of fields of lavender, grapevines, wheat and groves of olive trees, punctuated by enclaves of tiny villages, made up of stone and stucco houses in pastel colors. Bougainvillea, geraniums and flowers of every sort add color to the setting and stand in contrast against the painted window shutters in lavenders, blues, raspberry reds and pale greens.

For some reason, the lighting seems different in Provence than anywhere else -- as the impressionists all knew and by which they were inspired. While the sun was hot, the breezes were cool and the air was clean and fresh. The scent of lavender was everywhere. To say 'we fell in love' with the place is an understatement!

Provence is not just 'eye candy,' but is also culturally rich and active with lots of things to do and visit, particularly in the warmer months of the year. Festivals such as the one in Pierrevert are abundant and there are numerous seminars, workshops and conferences one can attend. La Grande Bastide was in the process of renovating one large room to accommodate such events and generate more revenues from the space that already existed.

Property in Provence is among the most expensive in France, but still much less expensive than one might think. I could exchange my apartment in Paris for a chateau or sprawling home with a swimming pool, for example. The biggest expense is not the price of the property, but in the renovation and maintenance costs. Expect to need 100% to 200% of the cost of the property to get it into the condition you'd happily live in.

If one wanted to become a "hotelier" and open a B&B, this would be an ideal place as demand is high and rents are in the 75 euro plus per night category. But don't be fooled into thinking you can earn a good living hosting travelers. Consider your costs and time investment compared with potential revenues and you'll see that choosing this life is not about getting rich! However, there is no doubt that one can be happy and live a very peaceful idyllic life in such a tranquil and beautiful environment. The people are warm and friendly, the cuisine is extraordinary and the land itself offers the best of fresh produce, not to mention regional cheeses, wines and meats...just about everything one might need or desire.

But, would you be bored living there 100% of the year? That's a question answered only on an individual basis and depends on how much time you devoted to taking advantage of the region and all it offers. With "Gay Paree" only 3 hours and 3 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, you wouldn't ever need to feel isolated or out of touch with a more urban life. Plus, Marseille, Grenoble and Nice are not so far 'down the road' -- for trips to the beach or skiing in the Alps.

Here are a few homes for sale on the Internet to whet your appetite for a taste of Provence*:

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MAISON DE VILLAGE - LA BRILLANNE (04) - 239,000€

Close to Manosque, charming village house with four rooms, 110m2 on 500m2 of land with its own water source.

 

 

 

 

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MAISON DE VILLAGE - ANSOUIS (84) - 355,000€

In Cabrières d'Aigues near Ansouis, 141m2, five rooms, swimming pool, spa, garden, view of Sainte-Victoire.

 

 

 

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MAISON DE CAMPAGNE - SAINT-MARTIN-DE-CASTILLON (84) - 930,000€

At the foot of the Luberon near Lourmarin, this large family home of 450m2 to restore is totally private, surrounded by trees on 5 hectares of land on the border of a river lined by 18 plane trees. On the property are stables with haylofts. The living room is vaulted in stone, has a kitchen and eight bedrooms.

 

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*These properties are available online via real estate agencies. There is no guarantee that these properties are still for sale on the market. Should you be interested in any of these properties and be fortunate to purchase it, allow for a finder's fee of 2.5% of the full purchase price.

A bientôt,

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