Whispers of Provence: A 10th-Century Farmhouse Reborn in Stone and Light

On the sun-drenched outskirts of Simiane-la-Rotonde, where the golden hills of Provence roll like waves toward the horizon, a 10th-century stone farmhouse stands as a testament to time’s quiet alchemy. Once a humble outpost sustaining the monks of the Abbey of Valsaintes, this noble dwelling has been lovingly restored—not to erase its past, but to let its soul breathe anew. Here, between ancient walls and sunlit terraces, history and modernity entwine in a rare harmony, offering 290 m² of living space split into two independent sanctuaries, each a world unto itself.

The first, a three-bedroom retreat, unfolds with the grace of a Provençal sonnet: a spacious living room where firelight dances on exposed beams, a kitchen warmed by the scent of herbs and honey, and two bathrooms clad in materials that whisper of the earth. Its companion, a two-bedroom haven, mirrors this elegance—its living spaces framed by windows that capture the shifting light over lavender fields and silver olive groves. Every stone, every lintel tells a story, preserved now with meticulous care, where the patina of centuries meets the precision of modern craftsmanship.

Beyond the main house, the land stretches across 14 hectares of wild beauty—fields swaying under the Mistral’s breath, woodland paths dappled with the gold of chestnut and lime trees, and a natural pond reflecting the sky’s endless blue. Dry stone walls, laid by hands long gone, trace the boundaries of this timeless domain, while ancient yews and plum trees stand sentinel, their roots deep in the soil of memory.

A tiled infinity pool, its surface still as a mirror, dissolves into the horizon, framed by a 125 m² pavilion where a bathroom, garage, and shaded terraces invite long, lazy afternoons. Nearby, a 270 m² open-sided building beckons with possibility—stables for Andalusian horses, a gallery for vintage automobiles, or an artist’s studio where the light of Provence could inspire masterpieces. And tucked among the lavender, a final outbuilding waits, its potential limited only by imagination: a guesthouse for wandering friends, a gîte steeped in rustic charm, or a summer kitchen where feasts are prepared beneath a canopy of stars.

This is more than a property; it is a living poem, a place where the past is not merely preserved but celebrated. The air hums with the scent of thyme and warm stone, the evenings resonate with the song of cicadas, and every dawn paints the hills in hues of rose and amber. For those who seek not just a home, but a legacy—a canvas where life’s most exquisite chapters might unfold—this Provençal jewel awaits, its doors open, its stories yet to be written.