In Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a former madder workshop and 520-m² country house
awaiting complete renovation, with a swimming pool, in grounds of almost 1 hectare
awaiting complete renovation, with a swimming pool, in grounds of almost 1 hectare
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence,
BOUCHES-DU-RHONE
provence-cote-dazur
13210
FR
Location
At the foot of the Alpilles mountains, the small town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, which was built on the ruins of the Roman city of Glanum, still takes pride in the past presence of Vincent Van Gogh, who painted some of his major works there.
In the 20th century, within a period of less than 20 years, celebrities from the world of art and fashion virtually transformed the former farming town into the Saint-Tropez of inland Provence. Having previously only seen tractors and sheep pass by its plane tree lined courtyards, it became used to witnessing the passage of limousines and stars. Fortunately, sheep still pas through the village during the famous yearly move to summer pastures. The busy weekly market is also always a success.
The property is 20 minutes from Avignon’s high-speed TGV railway station, 15 minutes from Arles and 50 minutes from the Marseille-Provence airport.
Description
This long, imposing, two-storey, Cyclopean masonry building was erected in the early 19th century on the municipality's outskirts but only 5 minutes by bicycle from the town centre. One of the floors was used as a hay loft and above-ground storage. Under the same roof, it housed both a workshop and a dwelling, as was often the case in the rural world, where it was customary to live nearby or at one’s workplace.
Today, it is located in a neighbourhood of Saint-Rémy that is one of the most sought-after due to its authenticity. This rural abode has remained in the same family since it was built, a family that drew its wealth from the trade of madder, an herbaceous plant with eye-catching leaves and fleshy fruit. One variety, “dyer’s madder” (Rubia tinctorum), provides a colourant. The colour from which the plant takes its name is a bright red hue, visible from a distance and is a very attractive colour for fabrics.
It was widely used for the trousers of military uniforms but it was abruptly abandoned in the 20th century, leaving many producers by the wayside. It was at this specific point in time that the living quarters started to take over the workshop part, without much attention paid to comfort and decoration, as the main priority was to provide housing for the children and then for their descendants. As a result, the interior design of the house was forged, without fuss or manners, by the diversity of its occupants.
The exterior has not changed much. The main façade faces south and opens onto a large patio, sheltered by half a dozen perfectly healthy plane trees, planted most likely before the construction of the building. From the entrance to the property, they spread their protective shade but then, in the grounds, they give way to cypresses and other local tree types.
The only traces of modernity are a large swimming pool and the landscaped meadow.
Today, it is located in a neighbourhood of Saint-Rémy that is one of the most sought-after due to its authenticity. This rural abode has remained in the same family since it was built, a family that drew its wealth from the trade of madder, an herbaceous plant with eye-catching leaves and fleshy fruit. One variety, “dyer’s madder” (Rubia tinctorum), provides a colourant. The colour from which the plant takes its name is a bright red hue, visible from a distance and is a very attractive colour for fabrics.
It was widely used for the trousers of military uniforms but it was abruptly abandoned in the 20th century, leaving many producers by the wayside. It was at this specific point in time that the living quarters started to take over the workshop part, without much attention paid to comfort and decoration, as the main priority was to provide housing for the children and then for their descendants. As a result, the interior design of the house was forged, without fuss or manners, by the diversity of its occupants.
The exterior has not changed much. The main façade faces south and opens onto a large patio, sheltered by half a dozen perfectly healthy plane trees, planted most likely before the construction of the building. From the entrance to the property, they spread their protective shade but then, in the grounds, they give way to cypresses and other local tree types.
The only traces of modernity are a large swimming pool and the landscaped meadow.
The country house
As was customary for barns and work premises, the house is made of pointed but non-rendered Cyclopean masonry, though it does boast an ornamental Génoise corbel underneath the roof eaves.
The ground floor is split between the living areas and zones of the former workshop. Some of them, which stand out thanks to their large arched openings, have been converted into lounges or living rooms, while others have been left as convertible barns.
The exceedingly noble first floor also demonstrates its former mixed purpose, combining the openings of the hay loft with windows of the house. Originally, the bedrooms would have been laid out in a row, on either side of the staircase.
The second floor with its smaller windows was reserved for storage and house staff. Part of it is still in its original state.
A curious feature stands on top of the traditional Provence half-round tiled gabled roof: a small watchtower for scanning the horizon and the relief of the Alpilles Mountains, gazing upon them and imagining wandering through them.
The ground floor
In olden times, the ground floor was the liveliest part of the home, with a permanent passage between house and workshop. The high ceilings with colossal, exposed beams, carved from the same trees as the masts on the sailing ships in the port of Marseille, look down on vastly proportioned rooms boasting stone fireplaces, some of which are still in working order.
The first floor
In this instance, the level traditionally used for bedrooms made it possible to keep a watchful eye on the resource that ensured the family’s prosperity: the madder. It was often stored next to the bedrooms, as if to better watch over it! As a result, as is the case all throughout this country house and workshop, there is a blending between the former working zones and the living areas, now referred to as ‘private’ areas, a word which did not have much meaning at the time the building was erected.
The second floor
As with the level below, it is divided into living spaces and lofts. Indeed, most of the surface on this storey is occupied by the latter, which have not been converted but which do boast wood stripped flooring.
La vigie
This 20-m² tower stands on the roof and boasts windows that face north and south.
The swimming pool
The 16 metres by 4 metres swimming pool in the meadow alongside the house stands next to a row of cypress trees that protect it from the Mistral winds. There is also a pool house with changing rooms and a shower.
It is placed in the sun’s path both in summer and winter, enjoying a maximum amount of sunshine all year round.
Our opinion
With its faithfulness to rural tradition, plus rustic, bourgeois and old-fashioned style out of step with the current era, if there is any truth to the expression ‘in its original state’, then it is in a home like this.
As a result, new occupants will have to be ready to carry out significant renovation work on the property, while ensuring the most remarkable elements of its architecture are preserved. However, such an enterprise is worth the effort, for this is one of the last authentic country houses still to be restored in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
The neighbourhood in which it is located and the grounds in which it is situated make it an ideal family home or provide it with the potential to become a medium-sized hotel, away from the hustle and bustle of the lively town centre.
2 835 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 881668
| Land registry surface area | 9833 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 520 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 8 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 100 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 520 m2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
