While this is not an “almost” it is a house that I have thought of since having seen it during one of our trips to the safari tent. How she is begging to be loved and how rightfully she deserves such attentions.
I love the proportions, so similar to those lopsided crayon drawings of what a house could be from our youth.
And yet there are elegant touches, such as this wrought iron railing…
…and a trellis hanging abundant with vines despite relying solely on self-care for who knows how long.
At the base of the house, a fountain of cool spring water pours continuously…
…an echo of the brook that hiccups unabashedly…
…while bringing a jewel-toned garden to life.
And while there are many homes in this tiny village that stand waiting…
…and I am reassured by the treatment of a Front National poster…
…that perhaps a foreigner like myself would be welcome…
…to find my way amidst these winding back roads to something like home…
…for now I will simply sit and dream.
In my mind, I will strip the walls of the scarred stucco and replace it with a slick of lime-wash instead. I can sand the wood, condition it and paint it something simple, pure white perhaps, for this would be a happy house. And finally I would open up the windows, sweep the floors and let in the mountain air to kiss it clean.
Do you see what I see?
PS. I am finally (!) switching to Mail Chimp for delivery of email subscriptions starting with this post. I hope that you will bear with me while I iron out any technical glitches. Once this is taken care of, I can focus on more important things…like writing and photography! Thanks for your understanding…
We are going through such similar things Judith…but that often seems to be the case, non?
What a lovely thing to say chere Marsha…let's hope so!
Edgar, when I went to the Yale School of Drama, one of the lessons on the first day was to spend one minute of your day purely using your imagination. It is an excercise that is great for the brain and the spirit. Wishing you a great weekend as well!
Alas no, Gina! It is just a passing dream but one that called us so much that we had to stop the car and spend some time there just to appreciate this sleeping beauty…
Thank you so much for letting me know! I took a deep breath and deleted my Feedburner feed after hearing from you. Ohhh, scary times. Please oh please let this work!!!
And yes, that area is one of the most lush in green that I have seen in France. 🙂
I love the dense greenery every where. And I got the Mail Chimp email notification.
Life in a much smaller town than the Grand Village of Arles! So much to see in your photos: "1828" and the village perched high surrounded by forest, spring fountain meaning fresh air….and the "a vendre" sign that is how many generations old? Maybe the notary's records go all the way back? Heather this is diamond in the rough and would need a thorough gutting and renovating by the looks of it, but what a beauty she will be with contemporary treatment . Inquire! Likely a steal with the expense being the renovation and furnishing but with your roots in part really planted there with Remy it's a possibility?
I'll be back in July. following along the blog until then with warm smile
If those are the edible berries they look like currants (les groseilles) which also come in different colors. Part of the fruits rouges ou fruits de bois group. But maybe they are just for the birds. But that is a stunning photograph.
Oh I am so with you over this house!……..Dream on
Warm regards
I totally see this house the way you do. Exactly like the drawings of a child. It needs to be loved. I wonder about the past or present occupants of houses like this…what they did, how they lived and where they went.