Anyone who steps onto the grounds of Provence Sur Mer will be transported back into history.
Located in the heart of Newport, the newly opened event space is located next to the Jane Pickens Theater and overlooks Washington Square. Owner Karen Pinelli noted the building’s decor is French-inspired in honor of France’s Revolutionary-era ties to Newport and the historic gate visitors step through is originally from Provence, France.
Pinelli purchased the property, which houses three apartments and an empty commercial space, more than six years ago. After turning two of the apartments into an Airbnb space and learning more about the area, Pinelli saw an opportunity to open a unique event space with the rest of the real estate.
“The more I looked at the event space down here, the more I learned that there was very little to offer in terms of smaller event space, and virtually nothing that was standalone in a prime historic area,” Pinelli said.
The event space, which can host up to 60 seated guests, or 85 for a cocktail reception, opened this summer. Pinelli said she wants to expand her business beyond rehearsal dinners and small weddings to hosting more “out-of-the-box events.”