“Imagine a world where the whispers of wealthy farmers echo through time.” We are standing before Bastide de la Gavotte. It is a testament to Provence’s rich history. Let’s explore its story.
Bastides in Provence are more than simple houses. They represent a unique lifestyle. These manor houses stood in the countryside or villages. Wealthy farmers originally occupied them. Bastides are larger and more elegant than farmhouses. They often feature a square or rectangular design. Tile roofs adorn walls of fine ashlar-stone. Sometimes stucco or whitewash covers them. Many are built around a courtyard.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, wealthy Marseille citizens used many bastides as summer homes. Today most have transformed into expensive country homes. Bastide de la Gavotte tells its own tale.
Bastides aren’t just rural retreats. They reflect the commercial spirit of Marseille. Like other Mediterranean port cities, Marseille’s elite owned properties both in town and in the countryside. Bastides provided a refined living environment. They allowed families to escape the city. However, they still maintained agricultural pursuits such as olive and vine cultivation.
Madame de Sévigné described the beauty of Marseille upon her arrival in 1673. Coming from Aix-en-Provence, she entered through the ‘Viste’ district. She saw scattered bastides and the hills of L’Estaque. Marseilleveyre closed off the horizon to her right. A large rugged space nestled the Vieux-Port to her left.
The first architectural designs of these villas date back to 1670-1700. Bastides became integral to Provençal life. Bastide de la Gavotte stands as a reminder of this era. It connects us to the families who once sought leisure and agricultural fulfillment here. It is more than a building. Bastide de la Gavotte represents a piece of Provence’s soul. It blends history, architecture and the enduring appeal of the French countryside.