it’s all about stone in this part of Provence. Our village dates to the Paleolithic era and it’s built of stone, on stone. Most of the structures we now call homes were never intended to shelter people. They’re patched together mazes of stone walls and stone caves that were constructed to house animals or crops. Our walls are stone, our floors and stairs are stone. You work with what you have and this region has it.
Samples of the stone in the higgledy piggledy place I call home
The quarries in the area supply the local building trade but if you’re renovating a house Provencal style my favorite places to source stone is the salvage yards. Centuries old mouldings, fireplaces, blocks, staircases, fountains….. waiting to grace a new structure. All with patina and age. In the nearby village Apt there’s a family run business called Jean Chabaud -Les Materiaux Ancien. In addition to monumental stone building materials they have pallet upon pallet of recovered tiles, poutres (beams) and roof tiles. Which piece would you choose for your home? Me? I’ll take the pigeonnier please, in hopes that the 3 turtle doves visiting my garden are confused and take roost.
notice the pigeonnier?
Stone window frame installed
This one found a happy home in Colorado
We make lamps with these!
Beautiful inspiration… and timely, as I have a five ton pile of stone (less than it sounds) recently delivered to Garvinweasel, destined to become dry stack wall and driveway gate posts. I even bought some stone cutting tools, in hope of making both a DIY project. I will refrain from posting a pic of my stone pile… these are much more interesting. I’m delighted to see these examples of beautiful stonework and historical reclamation. What a wonderful resource… thanks for taking us there!
I so love your blog! And the way you are telling us about your passion for houses and antiques and France!
Wonderful! Thank you fis sharing this with us Susan!
xx
Greet