To the west of Toulon, a large 19th-century 334-m² large house to renovate,
with grounds of more than 5,000 m² planted with centenary trees
with grounds of more than 5,000 m² planted with centenary trees
Toulon,
VAR
provence-cote-dazur
83200
FR
Location
Along the south-western edge of the Var department, Toulon, its administrative centre, is a city on the rise, very much appreciated for its beaches, mountains and its proximity to inter-regional or international transportation, whether train or airplane. Located in a quiet neighbourhood in the western part of the city, the house is 10 minutes from the high-speed rail station, 30 minutes from the Hyères airport as well as 1 hour from the international one in Marseille, while the motorway can be reached in less than 5 minutes. A several kilometre-long path for jogging is located near the property.
Description
The building, oriented east to west and most likely built in two instalments in the 19th century, is located in the centre of the lot, abutting one of the small walls that organises the partially sloping terraced grounds. The main building, a charming country house has understated, colourful plaster-coated façades and three windows on each of its three eastern-facing storeys. Its northern gable end is extended by a two-storey addition with three windows on each of its eastern-facing floors, but due to the sloped terrain, it has only a single storey on its western façade. All the windows have been replaced by more modern double-glazed ones, but the original French doors have been conserved. The windows are protected by wooden louvred shutters painted in red and brown tones. The gabled roofs are all covered with barrel tiles, while the one for the main house is highlighted by a double Genoise corbel and crowned with two chimneys.
From the gate, a driveway leads to a space where numerous vehicles can be parked. On the east side, the building is bordered by a large terracotta tile patio with a wrought-iron arbour, bordered by a pear-shaped stone balustrade, overlooking an intimate terraced space.
From the gate, a driveway leads to a space where numerous vehicles can be parked. On the east side, the building is bordered by a large terracotta tile patio with a wrought-iron arbour, bordered by a pear-shaped stone balustrade, overlooking an intimate terraced space.
The First Dwelling
With approximately 150 m², it occupies the ground floor and the first floor of the older house. The front door is accessible from the eastern patio and opens onto a small foyer, at the back of which is the staircase that leads upstairs. Built up against the southern gable end, a kitchen and its eating area communicate with two patios, to the east and south. Towards the north, is a living room with a grey marble fireplace and wood stove, which also opens onto the eastern patio. On this level, all the floors are covered in cement tiles in a variety of patterns.
The staircase, with terracotta tomette tile stairs and wooden nosing, as well as a wrought-iron bannister and a wooden handrail, leads to the first floor – access to the second was sealed off in order to create the third dwelling. A bedroom facing east, with a grey marble fireplace and a cement tile floor, comes with a wardrobe. The shower room, not far off, also has a lavatory. On the southern side, the other bedroom opens, via French doors, onto two balconies, with a view over the verdant grounds, while on its eastern side, a window provides a view of the mountains and city. The shower room and the second bedroom have white tile floors.
The Second Dwelling
With approximately 55 m², this is located on the northern end of the eastern patio, in the extension. With one storey and three windows on its eastern façade, a French door provides access to a living room that communicates with a kitchen equipped with large cupboards; following on, there is a bathroom with lavatory, itself opening onto a bedroom, which provides direct access to the patio. The floors are covered in hexagonal terracotta tomette tiles.
Lastly, the western section of the two initial dwellings, is made up of a large cellar, of approximately 60 m², carved out of the terraced grounds, with a north-south dual aspect and partially vaulted.
The Third Dwelling
With approximately 170 m², it extends over the first floor of the extension and the second floor of the original house. The front door, accessible on the northern side via a loggia, leads to a large living room facing northeast, which communicates with a bedroom and its wardrobe space. Towards the west is a bathroom with lavatory and a utility room opening onto a kitchen, which abuts a veranda with picture windows facing the western terraced section.
From this last room, bathed in light by a glass wall, a few stone steps lead to the original staircase covered in terracotta tomette tiles, which provides access to the second floor. This level includes a bedroom to the east, another to the west, and lastly a third to the south-east, which opens onto a balcony in the south, surrounded by vegetation. In addition, there is a bathroom with lavatory and a small kitchen, hexagonal terracotta tomette tile floors and a view overlooking the neighbourhood.
The Outbuildings
Multiple in number, they are spread out over the grounds and in need of a complete restoration: two garages with a shared wall, a cellar, a greenhouse, three enclosed garden sheds and an aviary.
The Grounds
The terraced grounds, traversed by a driveway and accessible from the raised eastern patio via a set of stairs, are planted with tall trees, mostly pines, in addition to a large plane tree, bay laurel bushes, olive trees, oaks, Mediterranean hackberries or fruit trees such as a grapefruit tree, a medlar tree and a fig tree, transforming this space into a verdant oasis. The eastern section is essentially divided up into smaller, intimate spaces, while the western section has more open areas. The former quarry, which was used to build the house, and round in shape, is still visible. If needed, it could be converted into a theatre after some original adjustments are made to it. It is also possible to build a swimming pool, in addition to the retention pond, which up until now has allowed the inhabitants to cool off.
Our opinion
A complete family home with its two main buildings and outbuildings, in need of a full restoration, which presents the typical character of the local architecture, bordered by its vast arbour-covered, original terracotta tile patio. Its size, organisation and materials give it considerable potential, the main section having conserved its original noble decorative elements.
Within the property, three easily connectable flats, a cellar, garages, a greenhouse, aviary, wash-house, an artesian well, another well, ponds and three sheds, will certainly delight either a large family, those looking for shared housing and/or land for permaculture, extending here over more than 5,000 m2 with free water.
A country feel in the middle of the city and a colourful place where one can fully take advantage of the best weather in France and the Mediterranean coast, with its calanques, Golden Isles as well as its forests and the Maures hills.
Reference 325929
| Land registry surface area | 5175 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 334 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 7 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 150 m2 |
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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.
