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LES ALLIERS

Les Alliers is a restored Provençal structure, originally built in the late 1600s, that once functioned as the stables for a large working farm. Circular holes also suggest that the stables were also used for the raising of silk worms, an industry that figured largely in Provence in the 18th and 19th centuries. The current owner recently acquired the entire grounds of the original farm, bringing the total size of the parcel to 25 hectares (62 acres). The original stone farmhouse, which also dates to the 17th century, still stands on the property.

Situated in the southern Lubéron north of Aix-en-Provence and southeast of Avignon, Les Alliers has sweeping views of the countryside and the hilltop village of Grambois, where many of the houses date back to the 9th century. The new 5 m X 11 m (16.5' X 36') swimming pool, set on the hillside just below the house, has steps at one end and is surrounded by a wide flagstone deck. At the deep end is a huge rock for diving. The little pool house offers a pleasant place to lunch in the shade. On the hillside sloping away from the pool is a wide lawn bordered by newly planted pine and fruit trees.

The 300 m2 (3,230 sq. ft.) house has been faithfully restored in the Provençal tradition, with terra cotta tiles and beamed ceilings in every room. The furnishings are a mixture of French country antiques and decorative pieces from the owner's travels in Africa and the Far East. The overall ambiance is one of attractive but unpretentious decor mixed with modern conveniences, all in a setting of great natural beauty.

The wooden front entrance door opens into a foyer where a massive fireplace and thick ceiling beams reflect the rustic atmosphere of this solidly built house. There is a guest lavatory here.

In the spacious living room three sofas are arranged before a large stone fireplace; ochre-colored walls and an oriental area rug contrast with the terra cotta tile floors, and large windows admit plenty of light. French doors open from the living room onto a sheltered terrace constructed from stones taken from a pigeonnier that once occupied the same ground. The terrace has a stone barbecue and southward views overlooking the surrounding countryside.

The dining room, whose vaulted stone ceiling is a reminder of the solid construction and antique origins of Les Alliers, has a refectory table for up to 12 guests. Adjacent to the dining room is the large country-style kitchen with green tile counters and backsplashes. The wooden cabinets are well stocked with cooking utensils and dishes. A delightful breakfast area has a farm table that can accommodate several guests for breakfast or an informal dinner. Appliances include a four-burner stove, dishwasher, two-door refrigerator and various countertop appliances. Just off the kitchen is a cozy sitting room with a television (French channels only) and a VCR. A utility room with a washing machine (no dryer) is also accessible from the kitchen.

A wide stone staircase ascends from the living room to the upper level, where there are four comfortable bedrooms, all furnished in a different style.

The first bedroom has a single bed, sloping beamed ceilings and a magnificent view over the pool toward the village of Grambois and on to Mont Sainte-Victoire. The second bedroom, with an exposed stone wall, has a queen-sized bed and an antique day bed, and windows overlooking the village and Lubéron mountain chain. The third bedroom has twin beds, a sofa, and a view of the Lubéron. All beds have good-quality cotton sheets, duvets with hand-made covers in Provençal colors, and matching pillow covers.

The master bedroom, spacious and nicely appointed, has exposed stone walls, a chandelier over the king-sized bed (extra wide at 200 cm, 78"), antique sleigh bed, and a wall of closets and hanging space. A glass door opens onto an exterior staircase that leads to the garden and pool.

Two modern and well-illuminated bathrooms, one tiled in yellow and the other in blue, open from the hallway. Both are especially commodious, and each has a tub with a hand-held shower. The blue bathroom also has a separate stall shower. There is one separate WC.

Les Alliers has a modern fuel-oil central heating system that makes the house comfortable year-round. One can imagine an intimate dinner in the vaulted dining room on a winter night, with candles along the refectory table and a fire in the living room fireplace. But its greatest charms are reserved for the summer, when the pool beckons, when meals can be enjoyed on the lovely terrace, and the view in all directions is of vineyards and lavender fields and, in the early summer, clusters of poppies. Les Alliers is a good choice for families seeking a good-value experience in an especially beautiful and historic part of the Lubéron (most of Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources, starring Gérard Depardieu and Yves Montand, were filmed in this region) that is too often overlooked by visitors to the South of France.