Jul 16

Jul 16 Modern Renovation of a Provençal Bastide: Architecture & Interior Design

Where historic architecture meets contemporary living

in the hills of Southern France

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In the hills of Tourtour, architecture studio PAREIL has carefully transformed a traditional Provençal bastide into a refined holiday home where vernacular architecture, landscape and contemporary living meet in quiet harmony.

Pareil oversaw both design and site supervision, reworking the house and its surrounding terrain to create a more fluid relationship between interior spaces and the Mediterranean landscape.

Architecture Rooted in the Landscape

Set on a lush hillside, the house originally consisted of several volumes typical of Provençal rural architecture: a main bastide, an annex connected by a porch, and a small dovecote structure. Thick stone walls, natural orientation and high thermal inertia already reflected a design adapted to the Mediterranean climate.

Rather than imposing a radical transformation, the architects focused on measured architectural interventions that respect the spirit of the place while improving the flow of daily life.

Circulation was reorganised to balance generous communal areas with more intimate spaces, allowing the home to comfortably host family gatherings.

Materials That Bridge Past and Present

The project emphasises natural materials and artisanal craft, reinforcing continuity between architecture and landscape. Stone, terracotta tiles, lime plaster and local wood define the interiors, while curved walls, exposed beams and built in furniture create a calm, tactile atmosphere.

Outside, the steep terrain was reshaped through a series of terraces inspired by traditional Provençal restanques, reconnecting the house with its agricultural past while introducing new outdoor living areas and a swimming pool integrated into the landscape.

A Timeless Mediterranean Retreat

More than a renovation, the project reflects Pareil’s architectural philosophy: working with the existing fabric rather than against it.

Through subtle structural changes, careful material choices and landscape integration, the house becomes a timeless Mediterranean retreat where architecture, environment and contemporary life coexist naturally.