Chez Stoneman: Are We Crazy?

Our barn in France still isn't habitable and we already have our eyes on another project in the area. About a year ago, we noticed that a building in the village of Vezenobres was for sale. Just a few blocks down from the center of the village where we got married, a hand-written sign was affixed to the exterior of the massive stone dwelling. For years Pierre has had a contagious dream of running a small hotel, and the idea of investing in the medieval village we now call home is burnished in our minds. Are we crazy?

The property for sale is actually two attached buildings - one that can reasonably be called a building and the other merely a ruin. The main building is on corner and overlooks the entire valley below the village with full southern exposure. Today it has 4 apartments in it, only one of them habitable (for someone with quite low living standards). The other apartments are in such disarray they have exposed ceilings, wood and stone debris everywhere, unfinished windows, no insulation... The entire roof of the building would need to be replaced, but the orientation of the building on a steep hill with limited street access would require a courageous (if not foolish) masonry crew to complete the job.

The ruin is an almost idyllic setting of remains that is begging for terraced patios, walled gardens, maybe even a courtyard style shaded swimming pool. Around the corner from the main entrance to the building is a charming inset doorway to a vaulted restaurant with room for about 30 seats and an exposed kitchen. The restaurant would be pure romance, and could open to outdoor seating underneath the ruins.

With every turn throughout the property there is the potential for style, charm, aesthetic, beauty, historical references, lifestyle, investment and reward! When we look back at the condition of the barn we bought two years ago compared to the storybook house that we've made out of it, we know we can turn this barrack into a jewell. With just four stone walls and a collapsing roof to inspire us, we've turned the barn into a welcoming house with lots of panache. The building in the village, on the other hand, has turns, vaults, views, corners, open spaces and more to give us endless possibilities for design and style.

The sale price seems quite reasonable, it turns out the property has been on the market for at least a few years now. The over-zealous Gardois who bought the property some years ago imaged that he would be able to restore the entire building into apartments or a hotel entirely on his own. Really, on his own. In a handful of years he has managed to clean off a square meter section of stones and clutter the entire building with more useless junk than at a third-rate flea market. He completely under-estimated the job. A few years ago an English couple attempted to buy the property but backed out once they realized the scale of the repairs required. While the building price is in our reach, we'd have to take out a loan for the same amount for the repairs. We're seriously interested. Are we crazy?

Go with me for a minute... The building could be restored into a mix of apartments, studios or hotel rooms -- each with bright sun flooding the rooms all year long, each one with its own style and charm. Our research taught us that all gites (rental rooms/apartments) and hotels in the area are full for the entire season annually (April - September) at healthy prices. The apartments could be rented year round, or studios and hotel rooms could be rented during the season. Rental income from just 1-2 apartments or a good tourist season would cover the mortgage comfortably each year.

Ultimately we'd like to partner with one of our chef/resto friends who would attach themselves to this dream and take over the restaurant. Resto/cafe/bar income would supplement the rental fees, and add to the ambiance of the property to make it more of a destination for locals and travelers. What business do we have running a hotel and restaurant? We have no relevant experience, all we have is a vision, a design aesthetic, an appetite for service and entertaining, and a desire to create a dream job that we can do together. Are we crazy?

Vezenobres is by no means a highly-trafficked village, it's not like Gordes, Uzes and others that have become micro industries of their own. But, we think within a few years it will become more that way. Several years ago the mayor conducted a major clean up of the village and it is Peter Mayle-picturesque. The mairie (city hall) now has an art exposition center in the building that overlooks a grassy terrace and the valley view; there are gravel petanque lawns that hang on the cliff of the hilltop village and look out over the entire valley. Vezenobres is the French capital of figs and boules carre (yes, square balls). There is a new highway that will make the drive to Nimes (larger city with Roman coliseum, Spanish-influence and an international airport!) only 15-20 minutes away. Vezenobres is at the foot of Les Cevennes (of Robert Louis Stevenson's writings) which are the mountains that offer hundreds of miles of hiking, rafting, camping and exploring. And, the village is only 20 minutes from Uzes, the village of the Duchess and her castle that has France's most vibrant weekly marche throughout the fortified town and its arch-surrounded center. Are you sold yet?

We know we're crazy. Take a look at these pictures of the property and you'll know it too. But for some reason we can't let go of this one. Isn't is a dash of crazy that all dreams of made of? Isn't our life between France and San Francisco already filled with a dash of crazy? We're looking for ideas, advice, partners, support, words of caution, anything you want to offer. Pierre returns to France on January 15 for about a month to work on the barn and we're trying to decide if we're really serious (aka crazy) about starting the process of contractor-inspections and bank visits. If you've ever wanted to have a pied a terre in France, or if you've had it with life in the US, or if you've dreamed of having your own resto/bar/cafe...join us, there's room in this dream for a few other crazies!

Comments

Shannon...I must have dreamed that I already posted a comment about "Are we crazy" because now I cannot find it. Well, here goes again.

I say "Go for it"!!! I'll be one of the first to check in. I'll drag Tracy to France to get a little culture in him (is there a golf course nearby?). When Hens is old enough we'll send her to work for you. I am sure there will be something for a young, energetic, beautiful and utterly charming young Hancuff to do in France for the summer. Shannon...your life and travel experiences allow you to be the perfect hostess to those seeking romance, quaintness, charm and experience off the beaten path. It is like you are sharing the joy, quietness, discovery, freshness and love that you have found there in that little village in France. What in life is better than sharing your happiness with others? It's worth the risk. I can picture you hosting small/romantic wedding parties (with you as the photographer, of course), couples who want to renew vows, groups of culinary students who desire to get the REAL taste of French cuisine, travelers seeking a little MORE than what you get on the normal french travel circuit, families wanting to escape their life routine ( I fit this catagory), writers and photographers...it is endless. I can't imagine a time when you would have no guests. Hire a creative architect and a willing group of workmen immediately. You will be paid back when you see the refreshed look in peoples eyes and the newfound perspective in ther hearts after they stay and experience time in an "Inn" established by people who truly cherish that special place in France. When can we make a reservation?

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