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Dear Readers, Continuing a series of newsletters on various highlights of Languedoc heritage, this fortnight's newsletter takes a look at the site of a Gallo-Roman villa in Loupian beside Mèze, south-west of Montpellier. Top properties are farmhouses in the Gard region of the Languedoc, the first on the outskirts of Uzes, and the second in the lofty elevations of the Cévennes. 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: Gallo-Roman villa in Loupian Traces of antiquity are scattered across southern France. The emblematic Pont du Gard is perhaps a tourist’s favourite due to its grandiose architecture. Other sites are however equally fascinating – Loupian near the port of Mèze, 17 miles south-west of Montpellier, and lying alongside the Thau lagoon is one of them. Loupian was the site of a Gallo-Roman villa from the 1st century BC to the 6th century AD, where wine was made and traded.  (entrance to museum) Archeological digs begun in the 1960s and 40 years of research have brought about a comprehensive understanding of the life and successive constructions in Loupian, and most importantly for the visitor today, revealed the 6th century dwelling. This has palatial proportions – a habitable area of 600m², and a height of 14 metres put it in context. Beyond size though, it is the mosaics that give a sense of the opulence of the latter occupiers of the site. The villa was afterall a place to receive, seduce and make new commercial agreements. While it was built three miles south of the Via Domitia - the Roman highway that spanned this portion of the Mediterranean basin - in order to keep bandits at bay, it was nevertheless made very visible from the south and Thau lagoon which it overlooks. It consisted in a number of rooms, designed largely to receive guests, a private apartment, and an area entirely devoted the issue of hygiene. Life at the villa evolved essentially around the production and sale of wine, its creator of wealth - not necessarily the wine we are familiar with today, but a more syrupy mixture generally diluted with water. It is natural therefore that the villa should have a warehouse with huge storage vases buried in the ground. The self-sufficiency of the site is all apparent. A cooler climate than today’s permitted the raising of cattle, evident in the unearthing of piles of bones. The Thau lagoon was, at it remains today, an oyster farm and the land was cultivated for cereals and naturally a variety of olives. The latter were particularly useful, not only for personal consumption, but for the purposes of hygiene and for oil for lamps. The villa was situated at the edge of a forest, hence there would have been a plentiful supply of wood to heat floors and baths. Beside the lagoon there was a pottery, also fundamental given the need for ceramics for storing wine, roof tiles and culinary purposes. To whom the site would have been attributed over the centuries of its existence is not known. Perhaps someone freshly back from a battle for which reward was necessary! The end of the Roman civilisation brought rampaging by Visigoths across the region and a general insecurity that brought about the creation of the fortified cities and chateaux of the middle ages that we are familiar with. Other archeological digs are pending in and around Loupian, but specialists are limited in number. The regional crew is presently on a dig in nearby Balaruc. Mosaics Ruined to a considerable extent by the pillaging and destruction of the villa in the 6th century, the mosaics are nevertheless works of art. Where they were absent, the restoration gives indications of how they would have looked - indications only, as great care is taken to give a faithful picture of the villa.  The museum proudly announces that nowhere else will you find designs influenced by countries set so far apart as the Aquitaine, and Syria. This may have been due to the eclectic tastes of the owner, but it may also have been influenced by his need to complete the work in a minimum amount of time, employing services from far away. Not cheap to have crafted, they were commissioned and built by travelling craftsmen who adhered largely to established motifs. The works of the same craftsmen have been identified in the Gers (Midi Pyrénées). Mixed with combinations of motifs, are images of the seasons. Particularly compelling is a mosaic attributed to the owner, given its subject and the elementary style of drawing. It is the picture of two vases, one containing wine, the other water, an educational illustration of the need to dilute the wine for consumption - a ruse, given that by diluting, one would sell more. Another striking and thought provoking mosaic has the repetition of a simple geometrical form, a rectangular box. Long before the generally held beginnings of perspective in art, this motif has us believe that the design is created in three dimensions.    Nearby The village of Loupian is worth a detour, with its varied religious architecture and Renaissance facades. Contact details: web site: http://villaloupian.free.fr telephone: +33 (0) 467 186 818 Top Properties: Ref. 534: Restored Farmhouse with land on outskirts of Uzes (Gard) A restored sheepfold set alone within 12.5 acres of land, five minutes from the centre of Uzès and with a swimming pool, a stone outbuilding and chalet. The interior - characterful and comfortable - offers a living room, fitted kitchen, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. ... Asking price: 785,000 Euros. Further details can be found here.  Ref. 533: Large Cevenol Farmhouse with B&B potential (Gard) Beside a small village in the Cévennes to the north west of Alès (Gard), and at the periphery of the Parc National des Cévennes this farmhouse offers tranquility and a vast panorama. The property stands alone on 6 hectares (15 acres) of land that rises to a crest and has a south to south easterly orientation. ... Asking price: 383,720 Euros. 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 |