Following our arrival in La Gaude we spent a restful Sunday swimming in the pool and exploring the house and grounds of La Condamine, which is the name of our vacation house.  Our host Dominique and his family have owned the house since 1933 when his grandfather bought it from a pair of Russian opera singers who fled here after the Bolshevik revolution.  His grandfather was a French playwright, Denys Amiel who also was sent to America in 1916 to promote the French and Allied cause in WW I.   Among Dominique ‘s possessions is a  48 star U.S. Flag his grandfather was given before his return to France.

Dominique with his grandfather’s flag.

La Condamine is a sprawling stone house built in the 19th century, with massive windows that let in the cool night air. Each morning as the sun starts to heat things up we close the windows and drapes to keep things cool inside.  There are trumpet vines climbing the columns along the outside colonnade, and the buzz of bees is constant as we sit and enjoy the shade.

Trumpet vine

Outside, the property is planted with columnar cypresses, lavender, roses, jasmine and laurel bushes.  The constant call of doves is heard throughout the day and into the night.  A short walk to the garden leads to the saltwater pool, which is small but incredibly refreshing on these hot days(continued highs in the 90’s).  Our plan for the rest of the week is to make short trips to nearby towns, spend a day at the beach, and relax!