Full of
FRENCH IDYLL
When Charlotte and Hans had spent many holidays driving through France in their beloved 2CV car, they finally found their wonderful home in the town of Saillans which is located right in the middle of Vallée de la Drôme with river La Drôme making its way through the center. They bought a fantastic house at the address Grand Rue no. 24 the same year that their oldest son was born. He was only eight weeks old when he arrived in Saillans for the first time. The family was and is still amazed at the heart-warming welcome from the people in Saillans and that’s why they’re staying.
They lived in no. 24 for several years and in 1999 they moved to Grand Rue no. 12 – a large house down the road measuring no less than 12,900 sq ft (1,200 m2). Two families share this house and they’ve each got half a house just like in a standard apartment building. Charlotte and Hans own the entire Belle Etage, the second floor, and on the third floor they’ve got two guest bedrooms and a bathroom. They’ve also got a terrace and several rooms in the basement. In some of the rooms they’ve kept the old wallpaper from Joseph Dufou which is a bit worn but looks absolutely wonderful in all its decay as a witness to family life back then. The south facing terrace is a top spot that offers plenty of sun almost all day long. If it gets too hot, you can always find a shady place in the small garden underneath the olive tree or the vines.
Obviously, the interior design is marked by the original details of the house such as the old Joseph Dufour wallpaper from the 18th century, the carved walnut wood doors and the general spirit of the house which the couple’s trying to maintain. They expect the house to date all the way back to 1776 but still, they’re very keen on having a home with plenty of room for relaxing and living rather than a museum. Charlotte’s husband Hans used to work as a painter at the Royal Danish Theatre and Charlotte is a decorator.
Photographer Tine Gertsen, Text Vivian Møller Christensen, Location France, Images xx, Published Jeanne d Arc Living 2020
