As we headed into the village of Oppedette, I heard the pop of a wine cork followed by a gale of collective laughter behind a garden wall. It was Sunday, somewhere between noon and 1pm and clearly a group of friends were making the most of each other’s company. My heart gave a little tug.
For nomads like myself, as much as we love the hunt, there are moments when it would be wonderful to be settled, to be a part of the casual gathering rather than always looking on from just outside. Such occasions are rare but they do arrive from time to time. When those feelings stir, I focus all the harder on seeing and remembering how lucky I am to be discovering something new.
A heavy iron cross marks the entry to Oppedette. A tiny one-car only lane separates it from the former village café…
…where a sundial continues to capture the slow passing of the Provençal sun…
…one that is burning away the last traces of the sign above the entry. How many men had gathered here for their daily pastis…
…while the women gossiped over the washing in the lavoir…
…raising their voices to be heard over the chimes of the bells in the main square?
But as I turned a corner, I was snapped back into the present. For unlike the other villages of the Luberon that I had seen so far, something modern was clearly a foot. Here, was a renovation in many of the homes that used traditional materials in a very contemporary way. Such as steel casings for the windows…
…wide wooden beams as the stairway to a front entry…
…and iron to create one of the more gorgeous terrace railings that I have ever seen.
And yet the charming spirit of the village remained palpable…
…and behind every other corner…
…were glorious traces of the past…
…and of all of the possibilities that are still to come.
As we prepared to take our leave and prepare a Sunday lunch of our own, I was attracted to a beautiful home on a slight rise over-looking the valley. Doesn’t it deserve to be loved?
If only I had the means, I would bring it back with care and make its garden grow.
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead filled with hope and a fair smattering of joy…
Thank you so much Natalie. Much needed and much appreciated.
Gros bisous,
H
Don't feel sad Heather – you have gathered us all together and we pop corks with you all the time!!
How wonderful are your Blogs – it makes us feel like we are spending a lazy afternoon just viewing them!!
Can you cast any more light on this amazing story of Pierre Cardin and his restoration and summer festival use of the Marquis De Sade's (Grandfather's I believe) original chateau?
http://wynvogel.blogspot.com/2011/06/lacoste-marquise-de-sade.html
Aren't the sounds of cork popping with laughter some of the best sounds ever!
You were SO CLOSE to the original LPV! You're going to have to come back this way so I can give you a tour 🙂
Thank you dear Heather for taking me for a walk. A charming place where people live in style. I love those terrace railing modern touch integrated so naturally as if it always was there. Quite unusual contemporary renovations you're right.
"…to be a part of the casual gathering rather than always looking on from just outside"…
Being a happy nomad is a talent and luck.
It's a Thanksgiving in Canada today.
One of my little Thank You is flying to you too Heather.
Natalie
It's wonderful that this beautiful little village is making itself updated while keeping an eye on its past. We have to do that with everything we do to our home too, never forget your roots. If you buy that wonderful home may I please come help you wake it up and make it sing? It's a beautiful home.
XXX
Debra~
I noticed in your photo that the Lavoir was filled with water. Was it still being used? I hope so. What a great way for women to gather and share village news, same as they did centuries ago.
Some parts of this village reminded me of a place called Cittadella on the neighbouring island of Gozo. I always look forward to seeing your beautiful corner of the world.
Viewing the absolutely incredible collection of images you post to your blog I feel so underexposed, H! Just stunning. Thank you for taking the time!
Amelia, that was brilliant! You gave me something to think about for certain…And yes, I know just what I would do with such a house and it certainly involves mixing the old and the new!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead…
xo,
H
Heather, a great point in case by showing the renovations being done, that the old and new can work together and still maintain the integrity and charms of these old homes and towns. I can feel your vision for this lovely old stone house. Maybe one day…who knows, you may have a gathering of friends in this lovely place or a similar place, and the sounds of gaiety from behind your stone wall will tug at the heart string of another traveling nomad…:)
Happy Monday! Columbus Day! Glad he sailed the ocean blue and discover this Great Land!
Amelia