An 18th and 19th century house with gardens
and raised terraces in a village near Salon-de-Provence
and raised terraces in a village near Salon-de-Provence
Aurons,
BOUCHES-DU-RHONE
provence-cote-dazur
13121
FR
Location
The house is located in a typical Provence village, 25 minutes from Aix-en-Provence TGV high speed train station and 30 minutes from Marignane airport. Salon-de-Provence town centre is a 10-minute drive away. This town of almost 50,000 inhabitants boasts a wealth of historic and cultural treasures, including three museums, a music school, a theatre, a cinema, a cultural centre and a multimedia library. There are several primary and secondary schools.
Description
Situated in the centre of the village, the house is easily accessed via a large iron gate. A gravel terrace at the bottom of the grounds provides parking for vehicles, next to a garage with an arched wooden gate. A short flight of steps provides access to the upper terrace, which is shaded by a majestic chestnut tree and overlooks the ground floor of the house. A small gate in the boundary wall also provides direct access from the street. The "restanques” (terraces) face south. The high, exposed stone perimeter walls, fountain and whirlpool add freshness and privacy to the property. The house is divided into two main sections. A more recent wing closes off the upper terrace to create a semi-open courtyard facing south-east. To the north, a small, private garden, also terraced, is planted with local species, including olive and almond trees.
The main house
Built in the 18th century, the main building has three stories and as many bays. The south-facing structure is of rendered stone with flush joints and features large-paned windows protected by blue/green-painted shutters. The roof is clad with monk-and-nun tiles and bordered by a cornice of four rows of shortened tiles. In the 19th century, an additional wing of the same architectural style was added to the western side of the building, facing east.
The ground floor
A large original wooden door, embellished with iron fittings, opens into a hallway. This houses a main dog-leg staircase of and wood with quarry tile steps and an iron banister. On one side of the entrance hall, a wooden door opens into a small sitting room with a view of the terrace and the valley in the distance. The ceiling beams are exposed, the floor is laid with terracotta tiles and a brick and stone fireplace is set against a wall. On the other side of the hallway, a modern kitchen opens onto the west wing of the house. It contains a large sitting room, which also opens onto the terrace to the east. The hallway also connects to a vaulted storage area to the north.
The intermediate level
The first landing of the staircase leads to a large area to the north. A separate entrance provides access to one of the raised terraces. This level stretches over the entire length of the house, under a sloping ceiling. The sense of spaciousness is enhanced by a mezzanine and numerous windows. The floor is simple hardwood.
The first floor
The first bedroom faces south and overlooks the chestnut tree. On the other side of the landing, there is a large contemporary bathroom with a raised bath and shower area, as well as a washbasin sitting on a masonry base. It provides access to a laundry room and a lavatory.
The second floor
A room to the west has been converted into a bedroom with a kitchen area and a shower room. It has its own separate access to the western garden. The floor is simple hardwood. This room could be used as an independent studio flat or as part of the house. On the other side, a small corridor leads to two bedrooms with the same type of wooden flooring, one of which enjoys an uninterrupted view to the east.
The basement
The house is built on vaulted cellars to the north and a vaulted garage below to the east. These spaces could be converted or used for utility purposes.
The studio flat
On the first floor of the west wing, there is a studio flat accessed directly from the street via a stone staircase. It features a large sitting room with kitchen corner and a wooden floor, as well as a shower room. This full-width east and west-facing studio flat is bathed in sunlight throughout the day.
The grounds
The restanques (terraced areas) face south and east. Paved or gravelled, they are linked by stone stairs and benefit from the shade of chestnut and fig trees. There are also a fountain and a whirlpool. The complex is enclosed and sheltered from prying eyes. The views take in the village, the valleys and the Etoile and Sainte-Baume mountain ranges. The west-facing garden comprises a terrace planted with fruit trees on a lawned slope.
Our opinion
A country residence with character, resembling a traditional Provence bastide, in a hilltop village surrounded by unspoilt countryside. Overlooking the valley, the typical southern stone facade conceals a warm, practical and well-maintained interior. The bright living rooms open onto large terraces and shady gardens, with uninterrupted vistas over the countryside. An ideal pied-à-terre for a bustling family, close to the region's major conurbations, or a pleasant second home whatever the season.
Reference 461918
| Land registry surface area | 673 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 350 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
| Number of lots | 2 |
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.
