Falling in love can be so easy, can’t it?
Sometimes you just know. I had a hunch from the first moment that the village of Simiane la Rotonde would be the real thing and my instinct didn’t let me down.
Patina, time pushing up against each other at odd angles and solitude. Simiane checks the boxes of more than a few of my favorite things. Remi and I eventually stopped talking as we wound our way up and around, delighting in suspended gardens and ornate gates leading to forgotten bastides.
A bird is free now to make his nest in the curlicues of a Renaissance manor but Simiane was once quite wealthy, quite populated. While 1,157 people strolled its cobble stone streets in 1753, there are 30-70 residents living in the village year-round, depending on who you ask.
The 16th century covered market hall opens out onto the lavender fields below and is a simple token of the village’s more glorious past.
But touches of gentility remain…
I’ll be quiet now and let you wander…
…take your time…
…because as Diana Vreeland so wisely commanded “The eye must travel”…
But what, you might ask, is that large sugar lump of stone? More of that in the next post…for there is still much to share…
When we fall in love it is hard not to be exuberant, n’est-ce pas?
Amelia, you gave me one of the best compliments that I could hope for–"l'esprit de lieu" is something that I always aim for whether I arrive or not! Hopefully, between the photos or the words…one will come close!!!
And let me tell you, you are not the only one that would love to make a move there…
Ah-ha! More about that soon Wyn—no, at least not yet but I will explain why…
Have a wonderful, wonderful trip my dear Contessa–so happy to hear that Bordeaux is in the works after all! If for any reason, you know I am always not so far away…
Gros bisous,
H
Thank you for the tour. The images are beautiful and stir the desire even more to come to France. For those of us who haven't had the privilege yet, I appreciate your allowing me the experience through your lens. Blessings, Lisa
Lovely that you are in love… and what a perfect lover… Always there, always handsome… welcoming and friendly… You can be together when you want and escape when you need… All in all perfection, Heather… I can't wait to hear more of this budding romance… 🙂 xv
Gorgeous photos Thank you
I feel the French countryside is to land, what the ocean is to water. I need to see the stones (even just pictures) as much as I need to smell the salt air.
This, like your others posts, always feel like opening a gift. I love watching the first photo unwrap as the computer brings your post to life. Loved the stroll.
xoxo
j
Now I'M in love, too! What a lovely little village typique — that covered marketplace overlooking the lavender fields made my heart skip a beat. Thank you for sharing these photos!
Hello Heather
I followed your instructions and have been taking my time strolling leisurely and I even unhooked the legs of my french easel and imagined painting the subjects of beautiful
Simiane la Rotonde. If I were to custom order a town, this would be it. I cannot wait to read more and you know I will be sneaking back again to wander the streets.
A spectacular post Heather
Helen xx
I can see why you fell. It's beautiful. I love how the climbing vines and flowering weeds push their way through and over the stones. Beautiful photos, comme d'hab.
bisous,
a