An authentic 17th century stone mill and its 3 ha park
in the heart of a wooded valley in the hinterland of Cannes
, ALPES-MARITIMES provence-cote-dazur FR

Location

This exceptional stone mill dating from 1609 is situated in the heart of a wooded valley, bordered by a natural park and 3 ha of gardens and woodlands, along the river Brague. It is a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from the historic village of Valbonne and not far from Europe's leading science and technology hub, Sophia-Antipolis. Two access tracks, one running along the river from the old village and the other following the slope from the top of the hill, lead to the entrance of the property, nestled in the privacy of a protected natural area.
A privileged location 20 minutes from Cannes and Antibes and 35 minutes from Nice and its international airport.

Description

A large wrought iron gate marks the western entrance to the estate and opens onto the central driveway. The banks of the river extend to the left of the driveway; to the right lies a wooded garden with a large stone pool and its water source - a natural quarry swimming pool - designed with the greatest respect for the environment. Continuing on, a professional summer kitchen with its covered stone terrace provides a shaded area for relaxation.
At the end of the driveway stands the imposing stone edifice: its solid architectural style integrates surprisingly well with the landscape. Conducive to moments of sharing and companionship, its large south-facing terrace overlooks the river.
A stone whirlpool bath and relaxation area on the eastern side of the house allows you to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons. At the bottom of the garden, there is a bowling green with bucolic nature as backdrop. The woodlands and the river form an enchanting place, a perfectly tranquil setting. From here, one simply follows the paths along the riverbed, in the midst of nature.

The mill

With its sober lines, high quality construction using local materials, the stone house, although of considerable size, blends in well with its verdant surroundings. It spans three levels above the basement. The top floor in the roofspace is protected by a gable roof with monk-and-nun tiles, underlined by a three-row Provençal frieze.
The south elevation is divided into two sections: the main body with two arched glass doors and two other openings; and a second, raised body set back from the main section. This extends to the east and along the south terrace with two large balconies, three arched glass doors and five arched windows. The west facade features two large glass doors, three arched windows and two oeil-de-boeuf windows.


The ground floor
The main entrance to the house is on the western side: a large arched, glazed wooden door leads into a vaulted sitting room with fireplace and original marble floor. A raised vaulted passageway connects to the main sitting and dining room. Generously sized, this room is supported by three semi-circular vaults and separated into two spaces that open onto the south and west terraces. It is adorned with a large ornate fireplace and has a flagstone floor. From the sitting room or the main hall, there is access to a large kitchen with a vaulted ceiling, stone floor and fireplace, as well as a cold room. A glass door opens from the kitchen out onto the south-facing terrace.
The first floor
The first floor is served by a spiral limestone staircase with a very sober iron banister enhancing the coherence of the ensemble. There is also room for a lift. A vaulted lime-rendered corridor leads to two large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, toilets and closets. An additional bedroom with access to the balcony can be found on the other side of the landing. The floors in the bedrooms are terracotta and those in the bathrooms are marble or stone. Each of the three bedrooms on this floor has a fireplace.
The second floor
The third floor comprises an independent flat of approx. 82 m², which can be accessed from the eastern side of the residence. It includes three double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a room combining living room, dining room and open kitchen, and a balcony facing the forest.
The basement
Extending over approx. 100 m² and with high ceilings, the basement can be converted into a gym or meeting room, or into four additional bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, for which plans are already in hand.
Two vaulted bar areas with stone walls as well as a stone wine cellar with tasting area of approx. 30 m² plus a laundry room complete the level. In its extension is the access to a large garage.

The garden

A natural park of more than 500 hectares surrounds the residence. It features a wild and typically Mediterranean vegetation, notably with different species of oak and pine trees. Sheltered by these large trees, the garden is a discreet reminder of the surrounding flora offering olive trees and cypresses, among other local varieties. Along the river, the water hums and the birds sing: warblers, magpies, cuckoos, little owls, jays and thrushes have taken up residence in the park and accompany the inhabitants with their melodious songs.
A small footpath, which climbs to the eastern end of the property, leads to a discreet hut designed for total immersion in nature. A natural rock swimming pool with its own water source and a pool with a built-in whirlpool complete the enchanting setting of this amazing garden.

Our opinion

A privileged setting in an unspoilt area of greenery; a haven of peace not far from the seaside and in the Cannes-Antipolis catchment area; an authentic and lively village with its tourist appeal as well as the dynamics of the Sophia-Antipolis cluster.
In this setting which combines a wide range of attractive features, the timeless mill has survived the centuries, in harmony with the embracing landscape. This is a rare local heritage property, respected and preserved by a quality renovation, with the potential for tourist development or for a family in search of nature and calm.

Exclusive sale

7 750 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense


See the fee rates

Reference 125952

Land registry surface area 3 ha
Main building surface area 856 m2
Number of bedrooms 8

French Energy Performance Diagnosis

Consultant

Stephanie Benoit +33 1 42 84 80 85

contact

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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.

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