Contessa

19th-century architecture, this nearly 400 m² building set on a 2,065 m² plot is a true architectural and artistic manifesto, located in the heart of the Provençal village of Barjols, known for its contemporary artists’ workshops. Behind its cement and lime facade, this unique property tells a two-part story, as if suspended between eras. The first major transformation, in 1910, introduced delicate modernity: tinted cement tiles, custom electrification designed for an elegant Italian woman, and refined ornamentation where colors and bucolic details poetically interact. The original elements, carefully preserved, testify to this past: stained glass, moldings, shuttered blinds, custom switches blending crystal and ivory, marble fireplaces, and antique doors create an authentic setting. In the kitchen, a period piece, the potager, is accompanied by a stone sink from Cassis, a signature of a bygone way of life. Outside, the garden follows the tradition of Barjols’ historic gardens, dating back to the Renaissance. Between stone walls, washhouses, and basins, it offers a timeless stroll. The vegetation displays a lively and sensitive palette: - A wide variety of flowers (iris, peonies, and agapanthus) - About fifty old rose bushes - An orchard Together, they compose a constantly evolving plant tableau. The second restoration, carried out in 2001 by the current owners, who are artists, continues this story with a deeply respectful approach to traditional craftsmanship. - Lime plaster - Textured paints - Fireplaces and moldings reworked with ceramics Every detail contributes to making the house a living work of art. Upstairs, fully restored, century-old wallpapers are installed alongside cement tiles laid using traditional plaster techniques. Three large garages, two bastidons of 25 and 30 m² to renovate, and numerous other ancillary spaces complete this rare ensemble. More than a home, this place is an experience: a journey through time, a potential guesthouse, a constant invitation to art and contemplation.
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: https://www.georisques.gouv.fr/