Two Provence farmhouses with outbuildings overlooking a valley and lavender fields, on a vast, almost 60-hectare estate in the Vaucluse area, to the e
Two Provence farmhouses with outbuildings overlooking a valley and lavender fields, on a vast, almost 60-hectare estate in the Vaucluse area, to the east of the Mont Ventoux.
This estate is located on the north-east side of the Mont - Ventoux regional natural park, near to the hilltop villages of Sault, Aurel and Simiane-la-Rotonde, deep in the hollows of the Albion landscape at an altitude of 800 metres, where lavender blooms as far as the eye can see, headily perfuming the air throughout summer. The property is located in a region renowned for its stupendous relief, rocky energy and landscapes, on the edges of Giono's and Pagnol's wild Provence, between the Montagne de la Lure and Mont Ventoux, at the centre of a limestone plateau, dotted with more than 200 potholes, and features such as the Nesque Gorges and their most famous karst spring, the Fontaine de Vaucluse.
It can be reached easily via the A51 and A7 motorways (between Aix-en-Provence and Gap plus Lyon and Marseille respectively) which are 1 hour and 1 hour 20 minutes away respectively. Avignon high-speed TGV railway station is 1 hour 30 minutes away and Marseille international airport is 1 hour 40 minutes away.
The region in which the property is situated is probably one of Provence's wildest areas still in existence: comprised of high plateaux dotted with scarcely half a dozen villages, which are often sparsely populated fortified settlements, these Virgilian landscapes have retained their natural and agricultural character of yesteryear. The area, located between the southern part of the Drôme and the Vaucluse, has for several decades enjoyed enhanced protection thanks to the creation of two large regional natural parks, namely the Mont Ventoux and the Luberon.
The property emerges into view at the bend of a cypress-lined driveway. To the north, lavender fields give way to a view of the forest and surrounding mountains. At the entrance, there is a first group of buildings including one of the farmhouses and an outbuilding, both facing east towards the valley.
700 metres further along a picturesque track that runs alongside the edge of the forest with a panoramic view of the valley, there is a second group of buildings, made up of the main farmhouse with its two annexes, standing firm on a mound facing south, away from any disturbance thanks to its secluded location, surrounded by lavender fields.
The traditional architecture, which has preserved its authenticity, made up of pointed stone and half-round tiles, is present in all the buildings, which date back to before the late 17th century. This provides the property with harmonious forms as well as materials and colours that are typical of Provence country dwellings.
The main farmhouseIt featured on Cassini's map from the late 17th century and is made up of two groups of buildings: a three-storey one to the northwest on top of the mound and another to the south beyond the inner courtyard. In its western corner, the first group is crowned by a former dovecote, in the form of a square tower overlooking the roofs. It forms a unified whole around the courtyard, with façades made of rough-hewn, simply pointed stones from the Luberon's quarries, embracing the slope on which they are built. The roofs made of old half-round tiles, which form a motley mosaic typical of such varied dwellings, are at points bordered by a Genoise corbel. The farmhouse has been carefully restored, with solid oak door lintels, exterior stone staircases, dry stone terrace walls, a borie-style well, small-paned windows and olive green coloured wooden shutters.
The street-level floor
This level can be reached via the former driveway into the farmhouse, protected by two large, wooden carriage gates to the east and west of the inner courtyard, which is the heart of the property. It is pleasantly paved, shaded ...
