A former sheep barn converted into a house, its outbuilding and cellar
on 3.5 hectares of grounds with oak and olive trees facing the Luberon
on 3.5 hectares of grounds with oak and olive trees facing the Luberon
Roussillon,
VAUCLUSE
provence-cote-dazur
84220
FR
Location
Perched on a hill offering breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside, Bonnieux is a little-known gem of Provence, attracting lovers of history, nature, gastronomy and crafts. To the south, bordering the road to the famous village of Lourmarin, there lies the Luberon cedar forest, home to almost bicentennial trees and a diversity of flora and fauna well worth exploring.
The fortified village boasts a rich architectural and historical heritage, including a 17th-century church and the Julien bridge over the Calavon, built by the Romans as part of the Via Domitia. The bridge can also be admired as part of the cycle route between Apt and Cavaillon. The property is only a few metres from the main road between Avignon and Apt, where all shops and services can be found.
40 minutes from the A7 motorway, 1 hr 10 from Avignon TGV station, 1 hr 15 from Aix-en-Provence TGV station and 1 hr from Marseille-Marignane international airport.
Description
The property is accessed from the south via a track running alongside the vineyards that once belonged to the estate. To the west, the view over the village of Roussillon allows you to appreciate the colourful tones of the terrain. The house stands on a soil bearing witness to the presence of a sea more than 110 million years ago.
Set in a plot of around 3.5 hectares with gentle slopes laid out in a series of terraces, the house is surrounded by groves of oak trees and farmland planted with olive trees. Overlooking the surrounding vineyards, it offers panoramic views across the verdant countryside.
In 2000, the estate's former sheep barn was extended to the south-west and turned into a pleasant family home of over 250 m². It comprises a main house of more than 170 m², facing south-west and overlooking the Luberon mountains, as well as an annexe with approx. 80 m² of living space, with southern and northern exposure. Built mainly on two levels and consisting of several parts forming a T, the structure features alternating heights and facade materials: rendering, facing and dressed stone for the window surrounds, with rectangular, square, arched or round openings of different sizes and single-pitched or gable monk-and-nun tiled roofs of which some are symmetrical and some not.
Set in a plot of around 3.5 hectares with gentle slopes laid out in a series of terraces, the house is surrounded by groves of oak trees and farmland planted with olive trees. Overlooking the surrounding vineyards, it offers panoramic views across the verdant countryside.
In 2000, the estate's former sheep barn was extended to the south-west and turned into a pleasant family home of over 250 m². It comprises a main house of more than 170 m², facing south-west and overlooking the Luberon mountains, as well as an annexe with approx. 80 m² of living space, with southern and northern exposure. Built mainly on two levels and consisting of several parts forming a T, the structure features alternating heights and facade materials: rendering, facing and dressed stone for the window surrounds, with rectangular, square, arched or round openings of different sizes and single-pitched or gable monk-and-nun tiled roofs of which some are symmetrical and some not.
The main house
The ground floor
The northern entrance door is of exotic limba wood, carved with two olive branches. The dining room and open-plan kitchen are lit by several windows opening onto the stone terrace bordering this level to the south-west. The sitting room, separated from the dining room by a large stone archway, boasts a modern masonry fireplace with inset wood burner and has openings facing south and west. The floors are tiled, the walls painted, some in soft shades, and the ceilings in the sitting room, dining room and kitchen feature exposed beams painted white. From the kitchen, a large pantry connects to the boiler room, the original vaulted stone cellar and the garages. The largest garage has two sectional double doors and a mezzanine forming a large storage area.
The intermediate level
A few steps provide access from the dining room to a master bedroom with a south-facing window and en-suite bathroom. Another short flight of steps lead to a study, a shower room and a lavatory. This room could potentially be linked to the outbuilding.
The upstairs
The landing leads to two bedrooms, one on either side. They have sloping ceilings, built-in wardrobes and face south-west or south. Close to the front door, an outdoor staircase secured by an iron banister leads to a separate room on the second upper level. Also in the roofspace, it could be converted into a bedroom or a recreational space. Finally, the floors are tiled, the beams are exposed and some walls are painted in different colours, as on the ground floor.
The annexe
The renovated sheep barn, which faces south and stands at right angles to the main building, has two storeys. Three stone columns support a canopy running the length of the building, protecting the ground floor from the summer heat. There is a vast, walled concrete terrace under the shade of the plane tree ideal for enjoying the outdoors. The different levels of the terrain are cleverly managed with retaining walls combining roughcast and stone cladding to match the facades. The annexe is ideal for seasonal or annual rentals, or for teenagers looking for independence.
The ground floor
From outdoors, a French window opens into a fully equipped kitchen. On the right, in a sitting room-dining room with double window and door opening to the south-east, a stone fireplace with insert is a reminder of the fact that the outbuilding was originally a sheep barn. North of the kitchen are a larder, a lavatory and a bathroom. Again, the flooring is predominantly tiles.
The upstairs
Accessed via the staircase starting from the kitchen, it comprises a landing, three bedrooms, two of which face south-east and the third north, a shower room and a separate lavatory.
The grounds
The house is surrounded by a terraced hillside estate of around 3.5 hectares. An adjoining landscaped garden, planted mainly with olive trees and Provence cypresses, ensures that the house enjoys plenty of natural light. The grounds to the north of the estate are planted with trees or farmed olive groves. Natural pigments composed of iron oxides and hydroxides within the clay soil create a range of characteristic red hues.
In addition, two springs feed a reservoir that provides water for irrigation during the summer months. And finally, the view from the grounds is breathtaking: the cedar forest on the northern face of the Luberon mountains and the hilltop villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste stretch out to the south; while to the north, the blood and ochre-coloured soil suggests the proximity of the village of Roussillon.
The garden
Mediterranean shrubs such as lavender, rosemary and pittosporum, valued for their fragrance and colour, have been planted around the house. Several temporary storage areas, including two 24 x 6 m greenhouses, provide space for farm equipment. In addition, there are a vegetable patch and a truffle orchard producing a range of delicacies, facing south and west.
The farmlands
There is an olive grove with 250 trees for producing home-made olive oil, which is pressed in the nearby mills.
The grove
Mainly comprising white and green oak trees, it is traversed by well-maintained private stone paths leading to farmland. Rosemary, thyme and rockrose from the surrounding Provence “garrigue” (scrubland) add diversity to the landscape and awaken the senses.
Our opinion
While the house benefits from the nearby town of Apt, with its amenities and famous Sunday market, its main asset is the spectacular 180° view over the northern Luberon and the stunning hilltop villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste and Roussillon. Provence's terraces are the perfect vantage point from which to contemplate the most breathtaking aspects of its nature and countryside. At the foot of the property, the ochre earth and the verdant landscape form a gentle composition of contrasting colours and contours, with the "blue mountain" on the horizon. Here, space and light combine with simplicity, in the comfort of a renovated traditional home, whose annexe forms the perfect lodging for family, friends or guests. A condensed blend of everything essential, on a land of mystery in the full light of day.
1 580 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 432855
| Land registry surface area | 3 ha 47 a 90 ca |
| Main building surface area | 171 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 7 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 165 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 80 m2 |
| Number of lots | 7 |
Aucune procédure en cours menée sur le fondement des articles 29-1 A et 29-1 de la loi n°65-557 du 10 juillet 1965 et de l’article L.615-6 du CCH
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
