35 or so years ago, we came across a village in rural Provence that appeared to be partly abandoned….20 years later, it seemed to have plenty of renovation going on….
I did find out from my 1985 Michelin guide that it was once partially abandoned and then restored to its authentic character by writers and artists taking up residence in some of the houses. Clearly, restoration of buildings is still going on.
the gallery images aren’t square, the last one is!!!
And this below image is
a) square
and
b ) the scene of the image above much more recently:
Linked to PastSquares at Becky’s here
WordsVisual 
Oh, now you’ve got me 100%. My teen vacations were all spent in Oppède. Not in Oppède-le-vieux but in a newer part of the town. My French surrogate mum served on the town council of Oppède for more than 20 years and she is was personally involved in keeping up the old part (as well as her other pet project, the municipal nursery school). 😍😍😍😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
Oh, brilliant! So was the old part occupied then? And did you ever go there?
I went in some houses, with Yvette. But they were not occupied then. (that was in the 70s). We did go to the church often and walked around there.
Ooooh, I’m jealous!!
What a brilliant idea to invite writers and artists to take up residence in some of the houses while restoring the village! I’m not too fond of those practical plastic chairs …
Plastic not good
oh Sue how fabulous – loving your time travel and so pleased you made one square so it is part of the challenge 😀
Yay!!
These are all cool photos 😀 😀
Thanks, Cee!
It looks a wonderful location. You’re having a fab time with this, aren’t you, Sue?
I am, but run out of ideas for tomorrow
Oh, no! I spoke too soon. You must have a couple more? Keep looking!
😂
This is so fabulous Sue 🙂 🙂
How wonderful that the village is coming alive once more. You have been to some amazing places.
I have, luckily! Plenty of future nostalgias….
Oh, it was….some places you get to at the ‘right’ time