Our Vision

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It will be a welcoming place, but not solely for tourists. There will be a conscious dimension based on values and a philosophy. One of connection to the earth and our interdependence with it. One of openness and attentiveness to the individual in all their dimensions.

This place is intended to foster personal growth and the connection that binds us to ourselves, others, and Nature.

Hervé Dherbécourt

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Hervé has been living in Belgium with his wife Vinciane and their family since 2008. His career path is particularly unconventional. Without a degree and self-taught, Hervé has worked in various fields. From being a self-employed real estate manager to a prison chaplain, he has supported inmates in a psychiatric prison for nearly 10 years until recently.

Engaged in life, Hervé is also involved in conscious dance (Open Floor, 5 Rhythms, Movement Medicine) and men's circles in Belgium and Paris. He is a member of MKP (ManKind Project Belgium) and is active in the RHB network (Réseau Hommes Belgique). These various activities enrich his journey as a man in all its dimensions.

Over the years, Hervé has used his listening and empathy skills to serve others.

In 2014, burnout became a part of his professional journey, providing him the opportunity to transform this challenge into a springboard to embark on another life project, aligned with his values and meaningful to him.

It is alongside his wife, Vinciane, that this first step of transformation comes to life: the creation of Terre & Source in 2020. This inspiring place hosts and supports various activities aimed at the well-being of individuals and businesses.

The second stage of this transformation took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. A somewhat crazy dream was born in the heart of this sun and warmth lover: to open a space with the same inspiration as Terre et Source, but in Provence. After a few months of searching, it was with Vinciane that they found Villa Pergola. With boldness and confidence, they decided together to embark on this new adventure.

Today, this place is ready to welcome you for an experience of reconnection with nature. A personalized and professional reception will make your stay at Villa Pergola a moment marked by authenticity, connection, beauty, and harmony.

Villa Pergola and Terre et Source jointly contribute to the same vision and ideal.  

The History of La Villa

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The Villa Pergola project was born from an inspiration, a desire that, curiously, finds its roots in the burnout I experienced.

The Villa Pergola project was born from an inspiration, a desire that, curiously, finds its roots in the burnout I experienced.

Quite quickly, the desire for a house in Provence resurfaced among my wishes. An old dream, that of creating a welcoming space with guest rooms and cottages.

This desire, however, seemed as unrealistic as it was improbable; it would surely remain a sweet, unattainable dream. This thought was, in fact, reassuring.

There were plenty of obstacles!

What about the organization and family balance if I moved away, with more than 1000 kilometers separating us? How would we tackle this challenge for our relationship?

Vinciane, without downplaying the challenges, didn't get bogged down by these considerations, feeling that a surge of life was emerging from within me, from my spirit. She quickly believed in it. She often reminded me to trust in Life and believe in the power of intention. Convinced that if this place is meant for us, solutions to the challenges and difficulties will be provided to overcome them. An act of faith!

Little by little, a small flame will stir within me, like a quiet voice calling, whispering to me. I dared to trust it, accepting the turmoil of my fears and anxieties without letting them paralyze me.

This little voice will take me elsewhere, onto side paths, away from the beaten tracks, towards a broader, unique, singular, and more inspired adventure.

We began our search with very specific criteria: a Provençal house with hosting potential, a landscaped garden, a pool... but with the intention of letting ourselves be inspired by the place, convinced that it would reveal itself to us.

We visited a few houses and properties in Provence in August 2020.

It's certain, it's there, in the Var, that we wish to establish our project. A sort of return, for me, to this region I loved so much and left over 20 years ago. It also resonated with Vinciane. She was charmed by the gentle way of life in this region and was impressed by the famous TV show "Des Racines et des Ailes," which showcased the upper Var region.

But none of these properties, with their undeniable qualities and advantages, made us feel the emotion or the calling.

We agreed that I would return to continue this quest. On the list of appointments, Vinciane asked me to visit a house in Salernes and to trust her intuition. I wasn't really in favor because this house was not very Provençal; it was Italian-inspired and its budget was higher than the one we had set...

Taking advantage of a visit to Cotignac, I asked the real estate agent to include in our tour this house that he had in his portfolio.

Here I am, on my way to Salernes to discover Villa Pergola.

After passing through the impressive wrought iron gate, which rivals those of the châteaux of the Loire Valley, I was almost immediately drawn to the garden of this property.

I discover an exceptional environment of scrubland, woods, oaks, pines, and carob trees. They encase, like a natural setting, their precious stone represented by the imposing pink house. The whole, for those who know how to feel it, forms an emotional, touching, and vibrant jewel.

The real estate agent introduces me to the owner. She asks me to remove my shoes before entering. Although intrigued and eager to explore this immense building, I explain to her that I would prefer to start with a tour of the garden.

Unknowingly, I had touched a sensitive point; the garden is the passion of her life. More than just selling a property, this owner wanted to pass on this place.

This moment was magical, as if time had stopped. Each step revealed an inspiring place, a unique, different atmosphere.

The garden revealed itself through its lush vegetation in shapes, colors, and fragrances. Here and there, the delicate scent of a rose, the whisper of water from a basin, the magic of the grotto embracing the coolness of the spring.

The trees planted on this property have a special and prestigious symbolism and history. They are the direct descendants of iconic and ancient trees.

Everything moves me, everything delights me, I move forward, I stop, joy is here, it overwhelms me.

When this lady purchased the property, the garden was neglected and overgrown. She restored its splendor and dedicated herself to creating it in the same spirit as the gardens of Villa Borghese in Rome, a sort of sanctuary for the reproduction of trees from the past and the preservation of their DNA for the future.

The trees planted on this property have a special and prestigious symbolism and history. They are the direct descendants of iconic and ancient trees.

The swimming pool is also quite exceptional. What makes it special and unique is its surroundings, near the chapel and the spring. It is nestled in a garden of olive trees, myrtles, and palm trees.

Offering those who visit a place of tranquility and rejuvenation.

However, one needed to be visionary. The pool, like everything else, was immense, but the water was green and murky. Frogs and other insects had made it their habitat.

When I finally visited the house, I immediately recognized the potential of this building for our project with its beautiful spaces and large rooms equipped with bathrooms adorned with the famous Salernes tiles. I saw the potential and the multiple possibilities. The surfaces, the volumes, the number of rooms, the annexes—everything is large, generous, significant, and spacious.

The upper floor also offers a unique feature—a dance hall! The original owner of this house had an adoptive daughter who was a prima ballerina at the Paris Opera, and he had arranged these spaces for her.

If you wish to discover Claire Sombert, the dancer and actress, here is a link to explore.

Now, it was time to introduce Vinciane to Villa Pergola. The owner invited us to stay there a few days after this first visit, in a semi-independent apartment called "the Suite." Vinciane fell in love with the property as well! She could easily envision all the possibilities.

Nevertheless, a multitude of questions were racing through our minds. This project was certainly enticing but oh so risky. Would we have the courage to embark on this uncommon adventure together?

We needed a sign from Life to illuminate our choice. This sign would be given to us by the flower of Destiny.  

Some time later, we will make our decision and place an offer to purchase.

Symbolically, we will sign it in the Earth and Source room.

As if a connection already existed between these two places, already sisters towards the same ideal.

Our vision for Villa Pergola became clearer, more evident. It will be a place of hospitality but not solely for tourism. There will be a conscious dimension based on values and a philosophy, particularly the connection to the earth and our interdependence with it. It emphasizes openness and listening to the person in all their dimensions. Wellness and development workshops will be welcomed and can be offered there.

In the meantime, the owner, after the purchase offer had been accepted, brought in an olive tree over 500 years old from Italy. Saved from being cut down for the construction of a wind farm, Guiseppe, as it is named, grew in the garden of a Franciscan convent. The arrival of this new "inhabitant" on the property, strangely, reassured me and brought me a certain peace regarding the significance of the decision we had just made. The fact that this venerable tree was settling on this land invited me to settle there as well.

This property is now ready to welcome you. Whether for a rejuvenating vacation, workshop activities, or professional seminars, this place awaits you. We will be delighted to personally welcome you during your stay.

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