The east side of the house, with the upstairs terrace peeking out from behind vines and roses. The approach to this side of the house passes beneath a vine-covered arbor at the left.

 

This 30s-era country house was solidly built and has just been entirely renovated. It sits on a full acre of south-facing terraced hillside that's dotted with grape vines, fruit trees, and, of course, almond trees: les amandiers. There are areas for basking in the sun or relaxing in the shade on all four sides of the house. The house is approached by a newly paved driveway that leads to a parking terrace with a detached garage at one end. There's enough parking for several cars. The house is one terrace up, via a wide, easy staircase of six gradual steps. A paved walk leads to the kitchen-level patio and front door.

Ground Floor
The front door leads into a newly remodeled kitchen with all new cabinets, countertops, and appliances, including a gas cooker with electric oven and grill, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc. A large window faces due south over the grape arbor, patio, and across the valley.

The living room also has a south facing window, large wrap-around sofa, satellite TV, DVD player, stereo (CD, radio, iPod, MP3), large work/dining table, ceiling fan, telephone, and a spiral staircase to the upper floor. Behind the living room is a utility room with storage shelves, closet, and washing machine. Next to the utility room is an all-new bath/shower room with a pedestal sink, high ceiling, and ventilation fan.

In the northwest corner, off a hallway separated by a door to the kitchen, lies a bedroom with double bed and built-in wardrobes. The window overlooks a garden and is shaded by a loquat tree. Next to the bedroom is a WC with a hand basin.

Upstairs
You can get upstairs by the spiral staircase or the wide exterior stairway that leads to the roofed upstairs terrace, with its festoons of climbing roses and vines. From terrace or staircase, you enter into a kitchenette with sink, mini-refrigerator, electric kettle, etc. You can sit at the table and admire the view south over the valley and the hills beyond. A ceiling fan provides a refreshing breeze on even the hottest days.

Off the kitchenette is a bedroom with twin beds, armoire, dressing table with mirror, wash basin, and a large east-facing window.

The hallway that divides the upstairs has a WC at one end and a shower room with wash basin at the other. On the west side of the hallway are two more bedrooms. The front bedroom has built-in wardrobes and cabinets, a ceiling fan, and twin beds. In the back is the fourth bedroom, with double bed, ceiling fan, armoire, dressing table, and a fabulous view to the west. In June, you can pick ripe loquats from the tree right outside the window.

The Gardens
In front of the house is the main patio area, which faces south and is shaded by an arbor and a chestnut tree. Additional gardens stretch in all directions and span several terraces, which are separated by stone walls. There are ample places to relax, whether you're looking for sun or shade. The large barn houses a variety of lawn and yard furniture as well as the barbecue.

There are plenty of wide, safe spaces for children to play, as well as an undeveloped wooded hillside to explore just 50 meters behind the house. Exterior lighting illuminates all of the walkways, with a switch on the garage terrace as well.

Edible plantings include figs, almonds, loquats, persimmons, grapes, and an herb garden. Other plants include roses, aromatic lemon balm, beds of irises and shamrocks, roses, lilies, and a host of other flowers and greenery.

Heating
Electric fires (space heaters) are available in case of cool spells.

 

To learn more about Les Amandiers, just click on the topics below:

Introduction <> Floor Plans <> The Views <> The Interior <> The Garden
About the Area <> Rates & Conditions <> Back to the Home Page
About the Painting Holidays

For more information:

Jennifer Griffith
Chemin de la Faïence
34800 Clermont l'Hérault, France
telephone: (33) 4 67 96 97 13
e-mail: chez.soleil@free.fr or jennifer.griffith@free.fr

All contents © Jennifer Griffith, 2014