Once the town hall, then the local school, the warm stone façade of La Bastide du Paradou nods to its long history. Located on the edge of the charming small medieval village of Paradou – characterised by its winding cobbled streets and pastel-shuttered stone houses – the villa sits at the foot of the breathtakingly beautiful Alpilles, and is just a short drive from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the posterchild of pretty Provencal towns. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avignon is just a little further on, while the Alpilles’ rugged landscape is ripe for cycling, riding and hiking expeditions.
La Bastide du Paradou’s architect owners have poured their heart and soul into the renovation, finding the balance between tasteful modernisation and preservation of a piece of history. Rooms have been done up using locally-sourced materials and filled with imposing contemporary artworks, with ancient beams and old doors rubbing up alongside blown-glass lights, jute rugs, vintage mirrors and furniture created by local artisans. There’s a large dining room and kitchen kitted out with professional-standard appliances, and two cosy living rooms furnished with unique design pieces and a huge stone fireplace to warm chilly evenings. The seven ensuite bedrooms are decorated in soothing neutral palettes of taupe and cream, and each one has a dressing room, as well as views over the pool or gardens.
