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Dear Readers, Due to a technical problem, newsletter no. 54 was not correctly dispatched over the information highways last Tuesday. Apologies! ... this is how it went ... The UNESCO world heritage site of the abbey of Montmajour, on a hill beside the Roman city of Arles displays three architectural themes relating to the different periods of its construction. We take a look in this newsletter. Top properties are a farmhouse in the Lozere region of the Languedoc and new leaseback options in the Herault and Paris regions. Should you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please use the link provided at the bottom of the page. Otherwise, kindly read on. Theme of the fortnight: Montmajour Abbey (near Arles) Montmajour has a striking silhouette - not what one might call the most harmonious building ensemble, and very different to the abbeys of Moissac and Fontfroide, exemplary examples respectively near Toulouse and Narbonne (the latter was described in the newsletter of April 3rd), but a fascinating juxtaposition of religious architecture stretching from the 10th to the 19th century. The abbey was founded in 948 on a rocky outcrop above what would have been marshland and Benedictine monks were to remain there till 1790. The abbey, like its model, the monastery of Lérins on the ile St. Honorat near Cannes, was a school for virtue and devotion, a place of exile against persecution, and a studio for arts and literature, from which came for example a first anthology of Provencal poetry. The abbey visit begins with the 12th century crypt, the only building of its kind in Provence and a genuine lower church. It has a rotunda, an ambulatory and radiating chapels in an elegant Romanesque style. Its stature in the history of christianity is great - it was a place of exile for saints Trophime and Césaire, and emporer Charlemagne is known to have visited. Note the stones inscribed by masons to ensure their labours were recognised and paid for.   Above the crypt is the abbey or upper church, the heart of monastic life and also in Romanesque style typical of the middle of the 12th century. The chancel is as wide as the nave, giving it uncluttered aesthetics. Inventories of the 18th century however bear witness to a wealth of furniture, decorations and paintings, all absent today. Beside it, the cloister dates also to the 12th century, but underwent changes though the following centuries and restoration in the 19th century. Imaginary animals, plants and human faces decorate pillar capitals, with fantasy creatures and devils surrounded by flames. The presence of acanthus foliage is indicative of a generalised obsession among religious orders for antiquity. Astonishing also in the cloister are the tombstones, implying that the interior of the abbey was a burial ground - here were laid to rest over many centuries prelates, noblemen, knights, distinguished ladies, and obscure monks. Equally surprising is the medieval naval graffiti - discovered in 1993 and scientifically dated to the 12th and 13th centuries - from which specialists have drawn information on the types of boats used at the period. The cloister gives access to various rooms that were at the heart of monastic life.   Behind the cloister, the classically designed 18th century building, no more than a shell today, but with magnificent facades is the Saint-Maur monastery built between 1703 and 1736 under instructions from Avignon architect Pierre Mignard. This was occupied by the reformed Benedictine community that had settled in Montmajour in 1639. The 14th century tower is a striking part of the abbey silhouette giving it a distinctly defensive slant. It dates to 1373 and was built under the authority of the then Pope, in nearby Avignon. It is perhaps for this reason that it shares a resemblance with the towers of the Papal Palace with roundly backed stones. At the top of the tower vistas extend for many miles to Arles, Tarascon, la Crau and the Alpilles mountains. The final stage of the visit is the rock cemetery - a garden in which tombs were gouged out of the rock. Prosper Merimée of the Governmental departments formed for the preservation of national monuments dispatched to Montmajour in 1834 noted a total absence of traces of bone in the tombs during his trip. There is, needless to say, little more nowadays.  Events at the abbey During the summer, the abbey hosts photography exhibitions, as part of the citywide summer photography festival. Since July 1st and closed on September 16th 2007, the abbey has hosted two photography exhibitions, the first on the experimental French 'Zuber Studio' formed in the 1930s, and the second, focussing on German photographer Walter Roil, in Patagonia. Current photography exhibitions Zuber studio: founded in 1932, the so called 'Zuber studio' bears witness to the rebirth of photography in the period between two world wars. Photographers René Zuber, Pierre Boucher, Emeric Feher and Denise Bellon were the main figures, deploying their skills in advertising - for a source of income - , nudes and documentary. Colleagues, but importantly friends during the period, the Zuber photographers, through their experimentation, gained widespread diffusion in magazines of the period, giving them great notoriety and leading to the creation of the first French cooperative agency - Alliance Photo. Photographer Walter Roil travelled to the Patagonia province of Argentina in 1926 where he opened a studio in Rio Gallegos, the capital of the Santa Cruz province. A portrait photographer, his aim was to accurately depict the hard life of the population of the period. His body of work covers three decades. Other Events at the Abbey An initiation to photography for children at the abbey will be taking place on the weekend of October 6th and 7th between 10am and 5pm, organised and supervised by students of the school of photography in Arles. For further information call +33 (0)490 546 417 Functions The abbey can be rented out for functions between 1st September and the 30th June (after closing time of the monument) for cocktail parties, dinners, weddings - a maximum of 300 people can be hosted in the monument. Further information http://montmajour.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/?fl_r=12 Top Properties: Kindly note that reference 527 in the village of Pujaut near Avignon, a beautiful village house with patio and jacuzzi has been reduced in price to 495,600 Euros. Details here.  Ref. 532: Farmhouse with outbuildings and an acre of ground (Lozere) Traditional farm of the Lozere, near Florac in the Cevennes National Park, and offering a surface area of 200 square metres. The house has a living room featuring the original fireplace, vast in proportions, and giving the room tremendous character, a kitchen, five bedrooms, two bathrooms and various other rooms. In addition, there are 150 square metres available in outbuildings. ... Asking price: 540,000 Euros. Further details can be found here.  Ref. 38: (Leaseback Programme in Hérault): Residence 'Les Naiades' (Avène) Avène-les-Bains is a hot springs resort in the south of France, situated in the Parc Naturel du Haut Languedoc. Founded back in 1743, Avène had a capacity of 1920 patients in 2002, and has grown to now accommodate 4000. It is within this context that the 'Les Naiades' complex is proposed, set opposite the treatment centre, and unique in a 10 mile radius. ... Prices from 162,643 Euros to 221,088 Euros. As a leaseback scheme, Les Naiades is eligible for a VAT refund. Further details can be found here.  Ref. 39 (Leaseback Programme near Paris): Residence 'Le Domaine du Val de Seine' (Seine Port) Set along the river Seine to the south-east of the French capital, 'Domaine du Val de Seine' is targeted primarily at a Parisian business and tourist clientele. Due for delivery in the 3rd quarter of 2008, the centre will comprise a wide range of 3 star accommodation : 144 dwellings in all including 40 chalets, each 43m², 17 studios (28m²), 37 rooms (17 to 25m²) and 10 gites (20m²). ... Prices from 129,285 Euros to 210,308 Euros. As a leaseback scheme, Domaine du Val de Seine is also eligible for a VAT refund. Further details can be found here.   +33 467 297 068 +33 626 581 415 Contact: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/message.php For all other information: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com About James Properties France: Based in Montpellier in the south of France, bringing to you a carefully picked selection of properties within a 70 mile radius - with the occasional more distant exception - that are chosen for their combinations of attributes, most notably: - Setting of outstanding natural beauty - Distinct character or unusual features - Quality of renovation or authenticity - Value for money James Properties France (JPF) serves primarily an English speaking, though often highly Francophile clientele looking to move or own a second home in the south of France around such places as Uzes, Nîmes, Montpellier, Anduze, St. Hippolyte du Fort, the Southern Cevennes, Gignac and Clermont l'Herault and the Hauts Cantons. The property selection proposed by JPF is targeted to fit buyers from abroad in terms of types of location, accessibility, environment / landscapes, and types and formats of construction. Besides bringing you a wide array of properties, JPF helps by running specific searches in the Gard and Hérault. JPF acts as an intermediary between you and a number of regional estate agencies, at no extra charge. Selections of properties that meet your criteria can be established prior to your visits, any linguistic issues totally alleviated, questions about French procedures and legislation addressed quickly, and information on prices and property details addressed plainly by all parties. JPF also presents a wide selection of off plan properties throughout France. If you are thinking about a leaseback operation, traditional buy-to-let or an apartment or villa for personal usage, JPF can help. Regions where JPF is particularly present include Paris / Ile de France, Languedoc Roussillon, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur, Aquitaine and Brittany. Please browse options on the Off Plan Property Page. JPF helps you with your purchase from the beginning to the end of the process, often communicating with the assigned notary to make sure that content and conditions of sale are correctly documented, ensuring all is in order for completion, and keeping you informed of progress. Insurance and utilities can also be arranged. Should you wish to have assistance in maintaining or making alterations to your house, or any formalities associated with property ownership or financing in France, JPF can give assistance on an hourly basis. Finally, if you are looking to sell your property in the south of France, JPF can also help. If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click on the following link: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/newsletter.php |