Revived by the expertise of Lafourcade architecture practice, the Abbey of Pierredon is a family estate from the 13th century, nestled in the heart of the Alpilles.
The Abbey of Sainte-Marie of Pierredon, to give it its full name, is situated in the commune of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in the heart of 600 hectares of heath and forest. And though the first stones were laid in 1205, the castle has been resurrected by the tenacious determination of the architecture practice Alexandre Lafourcade, specialised in the restoration of castles, farmhouses, country houses and vineyards between Montpellier and Monaco. This exceptional property is now in the ownership of an Italian family who will make it their summer residence in the South of France.
The Alpilles, the Cherished Region of the Abbey of Pierredon
The family fell immediately under the spell cast by this unique place and undertook major work to bring about the metamorphosis of 2000 m2 in the centre of these fields of lavander and almond trees with the aim of finding the perfect spot for their vast and comfortable living room, since the house, in the traditional Provençal manner, is made up of a series of small rooms. The chapel, the stand-out beauty of the property, has refound all its former glory, and a staircase leads to a courtyard closed with high stone walls, where you can hear the murmur of the fountain. To restore the authenticity of centuries past, only the finest materials have been used, for instance for the windows, shutters, Beaucaire stones and floor tiles upstairs.
The majestic staircase is soberly elegant, as is the dining room. © Bruno Suet
The very large bedroom opens out onto the landscaped garden and the kitchen-garden, which were designed by Dominique Lafourcade. © Bruno Suet
A Vineyard in the Making
The Abbey of Pierredon is also a decent local brand of wine and olive oil. Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache, Rolle, Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon are among the traditional grape varieties grown. In 2016, the first wines were produced under the label Vin de Pays, then the plots were reclassed as AOP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence. They are already being served in the finest restaurants of the region.
Surrounded by plant walls, the outdoor pool is provided with lots of shady areas, useful for the days of summer heat. © DR
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