Maison Escondahla

Welcome to a village home like no other. Step through the discreet doorway and you’ll enter a true Provençal riad, centered around a sun-drenched courtyard. With three independent suites, generous living spaces, a vast artist’s studio, and a mineral-toned pool, the house is thoughtfully designed as both a main residence and a creative retreat. Now available to rent for a summer or autumn stay in the Alpilles.

Everything is within easy reach: the twice-weekly market, excellent restaurants, the little local cinema just around the corner, ancient cobbled streets, and olive groves just a short bike ride away. Behind the thick stone walls of this former barn, nestled against the bedrock, lies a cool, almost monastic calm. Cloister, riad, artist’s haven? It’s a little bit of all three.

The renovation began in 2019, carried out by skilled artisans—including stonemasons and blacksmiths who had worked on the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris. Every material was carefully chosen: vintage terracotta tiles, metal window frames, and a roof insulated with Camargue rice straw.

Around the pool, the stones come from the Palais de l’Arlatan. Throughout the house, light is invited to pour in. “We opened up the space, removed partitions—always with the goal of preserving the intimate character of the place. I wanted to respect the soul of the house, while making it feel vibrant, joyful, and welcoming.”

To name the house, the inspired owner chose a word drawn from the Occitan verb escondre—to hide.

Maison Escondahla is the perfect starting point for exploring the region’s many treasures. Arles and its exhibitions are just ten minutes away. The hiking trails of the Alpilles begin only 500 metres from the door. And for nature lovers, Piemanson Beach in the Camargue is just a 45-minute drive. We love strolling through the Fontvieille market, tasting the local olive oil (“the best in the world,” says the owner), enjoying a drink on the square’s terrace, or catching a ballet screening at the village cinema—with a glass of champagne in hand, of course.

In summer, local festivals set the rhythm of the evenings. The rest of the time, it’s all about relaxing in the courtyard, cooking dinner in the spacious kitchen, or playing pétanque with the neighbours. “What I love about this place is that the village is alive year-round. It’s not a postcard frozen in time—there’s a real local vibe here.”