Written by Mary Dan Eades on April 29, 2016
Upcoming in the LIVE AUCTION at the When in Rome… Spring Gala! Provence could be yours!
Located in the heart of Provence, this magnificent stone villa in the charming hilltop village of Ansouis is perfectly situated to enjoy all that the Luberon and surrounding Provencal region has to offer: colorful markets, historic Roman sites, lush vineyards, exquisite food and wine, and much more.
About 30 minutes from Aix-en-Provence and 45 minutes from Marseilles by car and an easy drive to Arles, ancient village of Le Baux de Provence, and the unforgettable limestone caves, Carrieres de Lumieres. Beautifully restored in a comfortable French country, shabby chic style, the villa offers a gourmet kitchen, fabulous great room with massive fireplace, sunlit atrium, and top story wine patio overlooking the nearby vineyards. The tiny village boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, La Closerie, just steps from your door and an ancient Chateau a block up the hill. Relax in luxury and listen to the cathedral bells chime. The perfect way to enjoy Provence!
This experience includes:
- Saturday to Saturday (1-week) stay in the villa
- 5 bedrooms, 3 with en suite baths, 2 with shared bath
- Property manager will meet you on site to acquaint you with this historic villa.
Available April thru October by arrangement with owner.
Retail value: $4500+ Minimum bid: $3500
Note: Accommodations only. Air travel to France is not included
More about this wonderful villa
Built in the late 1840’s it has been the meeting place of the pro-revolutionary political club, a store, a restaurant, and a private home. The area of the garage and inner atrium were a barn and hayloft. The original owner, M. Raynaud, raised sangliers (boars) and horses. When you stand on the terrace and look down, you can see the marks of the 3 levels of the lofts. Bamboo is planted in the old feedlots for the horses and sangliers. The Raynauds lived here for over 6 decades and were married for over 70 years. They passed away within months of each other in their late 90’s. They were very popular in the village, and this house became a center of social life in the village. In the last years of their lives, they lived on the ground floor of the house. After their passing, the house became a bed and breakfast. It was also featured in the interior design magazine. Ansouis is an historic village and officially rated as one of the most picturesque villages in France. Anything and everything that pertains to the look and feel of the village is regulated by the bureau of history in Avignon. During your stay, you should visit the chateau and gardens, just up the hill. Tour hours will be posted on the office of tourism door adjacent to the chateau.
American baritone, Ralph Cato has travelled the world extensively, telling stories in song with his warm, clarion baritone voice.
Tenor, Benjamin Brecher has performed over fifty operatic roles with many of the world’s most prestigious opera companies, specializing in the high lying lyric tenor repertoire. He has performed 16 roles with New York City Opera alone. Career highlights include performances with Opera Orchestra of New York, L’Opera de Nice, Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, L’Opera de Montreal, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, among many others. His orchestral solo repertoire includes Mozart, Handel, Orff, Bach, Haydn, as well as many performances of Britten. In 2000 he began performing the great Irish Tenor songs in a concert produced for him entitled A Celtic Celebration, Twenty years later, the show has become a North American hit with performances with 45 Symphonies in North America. Ben continues his discography having added his twelfth recording in 2016 Forgotten Liszt, with pianist Robert Koenig, and will record a new release in 2022 entitled “Three Centuries of Thomas Moore” including the music of Britten, Berlioz, and Sarah Gibson on MSR Classics. He is a Professor of Voice at University of California Santa Barbara, where he has served as the Head of Voice.
Tracy Van Fleet is pleased to return to the Santa Barbara Choral Society. As a soloist, she has performed with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Lüneburg Symphony in Germany, Orquesta Filarmónica de Boca del Río in Mexico, Pasadena Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Los Angeles Bach Festival, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Philharmonic, USC Symphony and Chorus, and others. She has had many appearances with the Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Opera Pacific, San Diego Opera and Opera Colorado.
Born and raised in Southern California, April Amante is a versatile soprano with expertise and facility in repertoire spanning from early music to contemporary musical theater.