A Private Tour of a French Home in Viviers

Today, you’re in for a special treat. While we were on our Viking River cruise in France, we visited a little town called Viviers on one of our outings. Our tour guide, Gigi, had a friend who lived there in the town and she surprised us that afternoon before we went back to the ship and stopped at this friend’s house and announced that we were all invited in for a personal tour. What a surprise that was! I was thrilled of course. Who doesn’t want to get a peek inside a real French townhome? I sure did and all of us loved it. Frances, the homeowner, warmly invited us all in for a personal tour of her home.

Here’s Frances at her front door and there were about 20 of us on the bus on the tour and she invited us all in to roam around her house at our leisure and in the backyard she was serving cake and refreshments for all of us. One of the best treats I’ve ever had was getting to see a home in person. Frances is an English born lady and she married a French man (I think). He later died and she now lives alone in the house, but she did say she had grandchildren that come and visit. I’m sure they love this house, it has so many nooks and crannies to explore.

Inside the foyer. You can see there are lots of stone accents and plaster walls, stone stairs, different types of floor coverings throughout. She told us that the house isn’t that old, but was built in the 1600’s. Ha! That’s very old for us, right? It was a charming, homey real life home and you can see the care and details she has around her home. It looks so inviting and liveable. I asked her if I could share the pics on my blog and she said yes, so I’m happy to be able to share it with all of you.

I won’t try to narrate all the pictures, but enjoy the tour. The house has 3 levels and lots of nooks, crannies and rooms. It’s a huge home with a backyard too, so we’ll get there after the home tour.

Stone stairs

Mark heading up the stairs. I had a ball looking around this home and taking all the pics. I tried to capture the feel.

The homeowner’s bathroom, large and spacious with a soaking tub.

A look at those famous shutters of France. Real working shutters that open and close.

Notice the bee fabric.

Looking at two floors and where they meet. Tile and wood.

Beautiful artwork throughout.

Loved the stone floors and steps.

Looking back down all the floors.

The house just keeps going and going.

More shutters.

The kitchen.

The backyard terrace was a magical space. She served us cake and beverages and we all enjoyed getting to enjoy the backyard for awhile.

This huge stone wall backed up to a church, I think it was.

It was so nice of her to invite us in for a visit.

Cake and beverages for all. So nice!

The back door came off the kitchen. I imagine the homeowner gets lots of exercise in this house with all the stairs.

Mark and I perched on these adirondack chairs in the far corner.

Everyone enjoyed being here for a bit.

I didn’t introduce you yet to anyone we met on the cruise, but these 2 ladies were such fun to hang out with. Meet Susan and Martha. Susan (on the left) lives in Marietta, so we had that in common right off the bat. She and Martha are sister-in-laws (Susan married Martha’s brother). They both lost their husbands in the last 3 years and now they travel together when time allows. I met Susan as soon as we landed in Nice, so we were on the pre-excursion with them and got to know them a bit then and then on the cruise, we sat together most meals together. They were such a pleasure to get to know. Susan and I are staying in touch and will definitely get together again soon. I hope she’s reading this, she subscribed to my blog after I told them what I do.

Frances, the homeowner, told us a lot about her house.

We also met her pet turtles who live in the garden.

What a charming garden space it was!

Frances then told us she has a secret tunnel, so of course we wanted to see that. She led us down stone stairs in the backyard and through the secret tunnel that led back into the house. I bet her grandchildren love this part.

Back inside the house from the tunnel. The little girl in me loved this part!

Real skeleton keys for the door.

Just look at those keys!

Touring Frances’s home was truly a dreamy experience and I’m so glad we got to see it.

The street in front of Frances’s house.

I  love seeing all the different colored shutters.

A view on the way back to the ship.

Back to the ship for the evening. I hope you enjoyed this tour of a French home as much as I did. It was such a wonderful experience and I’m grateful we got it. Seeing inside a real French home is a dream come true. Maybe it looks like you expected or maybe it doesn’t, but one thing struck me. It’s comfortable, homey, and welcoming and you can tell a real person lives there with lots of beautiful and precious things collected over the years. I’m so glad she let me share her home!

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