La maison de Gena

A 17th-century house in the heart of La Roquette, the former sailors’ quarter of Arles, just steps from the Musée de l’Arles Antique — my personal favorite.

Typically Arlésienne, the house has lived a thousand stories, including serving as a filming location for Julian Schnabel’s Van Gogh.

Lovingly restored by a local architect and my father, a passionate electrician, it has regained its original radiance, with high beamed ceilings, cement tiles, and stone walls from the Gard and Fontvieille.

Designed to welcome family and friends, the house comfortably accommodates up to eight guests. Built in an “upside-down” style, it features a spacious master suite and a living room on the ground floor to stay cool in summer, while the light-filled second floor brings together the kitchen, main living area, mezzanine, and a shaded terrace.

This is my cherished home — a place where I retreat, host, and work remotely (fiber-optic internet connection).

Today, I occasionally offer it as a seasonal rental to guests who, like us, will care for it with respect — for the house, the neighborhood, the succulents, the cacti, and the olive tree on the terrace.

If you are looking for a character-filled, luminous and welcoming home in the heart of Arles, I would be delighted to introduce you to it — along with my favorite local addresses and all my love for this worldly city, between the road to Japan and the Camargue.