Although I prepared these photos days ago, I have been regarding them carefully one a time for a while, letting the sun outside my window bow into itself, just as it did while I had taken them.
You see, I have been out of sorts all day. A silly thing, really. Remi is up in Paris on business and I couldn’t sleep at all without the reassurance of his presence. The rise and fall of his breathing at my side. Something that hasn’t happened in a long time, that sneaking fear winning me over but there I was, rising in the night, wandering through the rooms, checking the locks, searching up for stars. My own private ghost.
And so I have been trying to will myself back to Simiane la Rotonde, merely by the looking. I was so touched by the response to my previous post. Quite a few like minded souls pecking around this ephemeral pond. And Simiane is indeed as joy-inducing as my little clickety-clacks can suggest. But would we live there year ’round? Well, it isn’t an option for the moment but my how it caught our breath. And we all know, those moments that tug at your heart strings are something to listen to…
One of the men that we spoke to–my, they speak slowly in Simiane–said that tourists don’t often bother with this “village de caractère” because it is not directly on the road. Peu importe, if it is only two minutes away. Well, tant mieux. For the rest of us.
I have many more villages to share with you. Really, prepared to be tired of them, I certainly was! But there was no place that called like Simiane, with its odd 12th century rotunda and equally odd oddness. Something tells me you won’t be surprised when I let drop like a bead in the pond that we hope to go back before the end of the year…Let’s hear it for dreams! The good ones that shake away the shadows of the longest sleepless nights…
Speaking of something to listen to, my honey is about to board his TGV and should be home just after midnight.
Sweetheart, this song, “I found you” is by The Alabama Shakes and although I don’t know who found who, this is for you…
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, full of lots of dreams, yes, the good kind!
Quelle bonne idée, Amelia. Merci, merci plein fois. Je suis très touchée par ça…
Thank you friend. So happy you are here…
xo,
H.
Heather, the first picture of the old stone tower certainly looks like a big honeycomb…:) Although it might have been an old fortress tower(?). So much character all compacted into one little area – Simiane. Even if not to live year round, then for short peaceful retreats throughout the year. As much as I love Paris, and I've only been there once, Simiane and other similar places are truly the heart and charms of France. My suggestion for sleepless nights while your beloved is away…have him recorded a French lullaby. You'll sleep better while listening to his voice. Babies aren't the only ones who need lullabies. I know it works…:)
Bon weekend mon ami.
Amelia
Isn't it gorgeous Karena? It is actually a B&B, called the Maison Dumaistre. They have a room for two people up to an apartment for 6 running from 60-130€ per night. 🙂
Heather this village is so romantic, I can see you might feel a bit lonely after being there. I love the house with the wonderful shutters and doorway! Ahhh!
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
2012 Artists Series
Oh my goodness Stacey, I can't write my way out of a wet paper bag these days! I meant to mention that the interior of the rotunda has been restored–it is a giant domed space and is used for classical music concerts. 🙂
A 12th century rotunda! Who knew? And what would that have been used for? So lovely!
Oh, Helen, you are too kind! I really hate having my picture taken so that photo says more about the powers of Vicki's fine company (plus a glass of rosé!) that she was able to capture a relaxed me and not a "deer in the headlights" me. 🙂
And yes, I agree about your fine advice–which I used last night! I don't know about you but I can never focus enough to read something proper in the middle of the night–it wakes my mind up even more! But I will surf the web and read all the smaller articles that I missed.
Also wishing you a lovely week ahead, dear Helen…
xo
H
I think that you two both have a loooong visit to Provence in your future!! 😉
Hello Heather
I hope your life is back to normal and your family is united. When this happesn,I usually will get up and make a warm drink and read and it seems within a few hours drowsiness returns. I am sure Ben would come to your rescue if there ever was danger.
I love your picture on the sidebar, taken by Vicki Archer. After seeing this beautiful picture I think you need to get triple bolts on the door or a security guard to watch over you in Remi's absence!!!
Your images of Simiane are dreamy and Ben of course looks like he owns the entire village.
Have a wonderful week
Helenxx
Another sensory treat for me! This appears to be such a magical place. . .my kind of find! It goes in the 'future's' file for sure. xoxo J.
Merci Anni et bienvenue!!! 🙂
Glad to discover this town and your blog
anni
Oooh, you got me there, Ann. Well, I have to have SOME real reason to go back and to finally pick up my chestnut beer is a good a reason as any, non?
And yes, you would be crazy for it here…Ambiance up the wazoo… 😉
Debra, something I want to write more about is how this is the unknown corner of the Luberon–who would have thought that even be possible still? But it is. 🙂 And I bet that DD would behave himself perfectly well here!
Hope you are having a lovely weekend too!!
Nothing wrong with that Sharon… 😉 And just think of all the antiques you will find!!!
There really are some amazing ones–both within the village and in the valley below…
I always appreciate your bright encouragement Wyn–and I slept like a log last night. 🙂
I have to admit that I "cheat" to get those photos with Ben cocking his head. He can be quite a diva about posing since we have asked him to since he was a puppy. So often he will willingly get into place then stare fixedly off to the side as if he were above it. That is when I come in to play by using his favorite words to get his attention. I believe there it was: "lunchtime". 🙂
And I love that you called me "H"–just like my family!
xo
Elizabeth, it sounds like you had quite a time of it–I wish that I had known. I really would have tried to TGV up to Dijon to keep you company for a bit!
Thank you, BLW. And no, I don't find that strange in the least. I was the same while living in NYC and Paris. So comforting to be so surrounded…and anonymous. But as I get older, I feel that I am returning to my country childhood and the joys of zooming in.
Merci chere Loree! And isn't it funny but I have always dreamed of visiting San Gimignano! You and are both so lucky in our ways. And yes, "discoloured" is perfect. There might be room to dream of a vacation home (or shack!) but not just yet…maybe one day!!!
Hope that you are having a wonderful weekend…
Oh my, Leslie, although I really appreciate the thought, I am not so sure that Ben has the protective gene in him! So far, he has let us down in such situations but you never know! 😉
Oh, my heart is now completely lost to Simiane. And, yes, let's hear for dreams! Dreams of travel, and love, and, maybe chestnut beer? 🙂
What a beautiful town and something mister man and I would love to visit. We prefer more out of the ways places and Simiane looks like it offers up a lot. LLove seeing the terraced gardens. I love that you take Ben every where with you I wish we could do that here in the States.
Enjoy your weekend Heather and sleep well!
XXX
Debra~
Beautiful, interesting and quirky – everything that I love. I'm putting this on my list of places to visit when I next get to France. It's quite a long list and keeps getting longer. I might have to come for about a year when I eventually get there! x Sharon
What a charming village. I would love a country house there.
Sleep easy girl!! You are doing the right thing filling your head with your beautiful images again – they are really gorgeous and relaxing – trouble is when the wind blows all sorts of creaky things happen, but snuggle down and pull the sheet over your head – you live in a beautiful part of the world!!
H, I know just how you feel about that presence next to you in the bed. I'm not at all fond of it when my Shawn goes away. Something, even, about the silhouette in the dark, lying on his side.
I love the picture of Ben cocking his head on those stone steps! But honestly, all of these images are straight out of a glossy. They move about in those deep spaces — thank you so much for posting them. I hope you have a beautiful weekend, too!
I can understand why your heart sings in Simiane. It is difficult being without one's soul mate. I slept very little when I was in France this year for 6 weeks on my own, without transport and with only minimum French. Bisous
It really seems such an almost otherworldly place. I find I'm drawn to the exquisite quiet of small villages (and perhaps romantic notions of what that means?) – yet I know myself so well. I climb the walls in rurual settings. I find my sweetest quiet in the heart of a bustling city. (How strange is that?)
In those environments, even if utterly alone – which has been the case for me most of my life – I feel less afraid than if I'm pacing and circling in a place that is less populated. That sort of restless malaise I sense you allude to above.
But the beauty of these locations permeates on some other level, in some visceral way.
Wishing you a peaceful evening, and Rémi's breathing at your side.
PS, I have a thing for walled towns 🙂
That first photo reminded me so mouch of the outer walls of San Gimignano that it took my breath away. But then it also reminded me of the walls of Mdina and of Valletta. Is Simiane even a walled city? It is so pretty, in a discoloured kind of way. Maybe living there is not an option but what about a small holiday home? Dreams don't cost anything – so dream big, dear Heather.
(For some reason, the site is letting me post a comment today!) I understand how you felt when Remy was absent. If that insidious fear creeps up on you again, remind yourself that you are not alone; Ben is with you, and he is a protective presence. What a beautiful photograph of him in Simiane la Rotonde! Your musings about and photographs of that village du caractère are lovely…and intriguing. I hope you do return there soon. Fondly, Leslie from Portland