“Bastides,” they called them. But what exactly is a bastide? The Bastide La Verboise stands before us. It is a testament to a unique Provençal lifestyle.
In the bustling port city of Marseille, the elite desired refuge. They sought havens outside the city walls. These havens became known as bastides. The Bastide La Verboise offered respite from city life.
Imagine Marseille’s bourgeoisie families arriving at their bastides. They came seeking leisure and agricultural pursuits. Cultivating olive trees and vines was a primary vocation. But life in these country estates offered so much more.
Madame de Sévigné arrived in Marseille in 1673. She described the scattered bastides as she approached the city. From the heights of Marseille, she observed the bastides dotting the landscape. The Bastide La Verboise and others closed off spaces to her right. She also noted a large and rugged space to her left.
The Bastide La Verboise exemplifies the architectural scheme of 1670 to 1700. It represents refined living for Marseille’s greater families.
Bastides are more than just pretty houses. They represent a way of life. They show a connection to the land and a desire for tranquility. The Bastide La Verboise stands as a reminder of this Provençal tradition.