I understand when Betty Catroux says that all she likes to do in her home in Provence is ‘to drink wine and gaze at beauty’ because that’s must of what we did for the past two weeks during our vacation there… and there is little else I’d like to do more… Elle Decor‘s current issue features Francois and Betty Catroux’s Provençal home, Les Ramades, in Lourmarin, in the Luberon region. The 10 acres home has a stunning Provençal garden, swimming pool and tennis court… The couple goes to the property on the weekend to relax and break away from the daily routine…
Two of the many charming features are the vaulted ceilings and the unusual stone floor, which Francois had made of cement with embedded river stones. The courtyard garden is my favorite place in the house… I can only imagine the sublime experience of having my breakfast every day and drink my cafe con leche among the scent of fresh herb, cypress tree, and laurel… ah… revert…
Another view of the living space with the fireplace in the background and a sculptural pendant that Catroux designed. The costume stone floor seems to be used all throughout the home. The floor that looks like a Moroccan rug is rather a cement floor with embedded river stones that Francois had custom made.
An Alexander Calder wall hanging as a rug in the kitchen.
The master bedroom is carpeted with a natural fiber rug.
The dining room, which according to a book they don’t really use but they pass by it daily to go to the garden. The chairs are from the 1940’s.
The outdoor space with cypress trees and boxwood.
A set of objects and boxwood that function as decorative elements.
Betty and Francois Catroux
Photos by Pascal Chevallier for Elle Decor
