The romantic 'Roulotte'
A ‘Roulotte’ is the French word for caravan — specifically the Gypsy home on wheels that was pulled by horses in previous times. I remember seeing Gypsies in horse-drawn caravans in Portugal, and it wasn’t so many years ago — perhaps fifteen to twenty years past. These roulottes possess a romanticism of their own and can be transformed into charming rooms by the side of one’s house. I have now seen a number of them, parked in people’s backyards, or even transported by truck and trailer from one place to another. I finally DID see one being pulled by horses in the Camargue on the day that we were leaving after the Gypsy Pilgrimage!
It is in fact, my dream to have a roulotte, so when I saw a book about roulottes and the decoration of roulottes in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, I purchased it. Les Roulottes: Une invitation au voyage is a French edition by Jeanne Bayol, published by Aubanel. I got the last copy from the store window! The photographs, taken by Bruno Suet, are beautiful. Photographs of newly renovated and decorated roulottes are placed against old photos of Gypsy caravans. One old photo is taken around the ancient church of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, probably from turn of the century, before there was even much of a village surrounding the church. Gypsy caravans and horses are parked in a field surrounding the church and its fortification.
A renovated 'Roulotte'
The preface of the book is written by a gentleman whose family has lived in caravans for ten generations. He says that each member of his family possesses his own caravan, and each one has its own identity. He tells us that, “The caravan is not only a style of living — it is a spirit, a mentality, an art.”
There are separate chapters about the caravans of traveling fairs and circus performers. The life in a caravan suited the needs of traveling fair people and circus performers. Perhaps this is why so many traveling fairs and circuses have been composed of Gypsy people; this lifestyle is compatible with their lifestyle of traveling. These have been traditional trades for nomadic people. There is a whole chapter devoted to the ‘Roulottes de Cirque’ featuring a red, yellow, and blue caravan decorated with golden stars Again, the old photographs are displayed in contrast to the new book photos; circus performers from the past recount their memories of traveling with the circus. One old photograph shows the circus of ‘Buffalo Bill’ being erected in a European city.
I should not have been surprised to see my favorite designer, Armand Ventilo, featured in a chapter. He is described as ‘Bohemian in his soul’. I have always loved his clothing, with its accents from the Orient and bright colors and scarves! I have always considered him an ‘affordable’ designer — a designer who sells ready-to-wear to the masses. Although I don’t believe he is Gypsy himself, much of his inspiration has come from the Spanish Gypsies. He has decorated his own roulotte with rugs and cushions and embroidered tablecloths; he has infused his surroundings with the smells and tastes of the Orient. His roulotte is described as ’shining like a jewel.’ His line of clothing is sold in his own branded boutiques throughout France, and even in some neighboring countries like Switzerland.