An 18th-century private mansion, with drawing rooms and
a walled garden, in a medieval village in the Upper Var region
a walled garden, in a medieval village in the Upper Var region
Rians,
VAR
provence-cote-dazur
83560
FR
Location
In the north of the Var department, on a limestone promontory, which overlooks the Arc River plain, the village has preserved its medieval layout with its narrow lanes wrapped tightly around its former fortified centre. Part of the Provencal region, situated between the Valensole plateau, Mount Sainte-Victoire and the Verdon gorges, the village includes shops and services for daily life, while Saint-Paul-lez-Durance is approximately ten minutes away and Aix-en-Provence, its high-speed rail station and the Marseille-Provence airport are all accessible in less than one hour.
Description
Built around 1750, the private mansion is located on a lot in the middle of the ancient village, while its lime plaster-coated façade is organised around an immense ashlar stone door topped with a sculpted keystone. In addition, an ironwork balcony with a medallion highlights the building’s central axis, whereas almond green shutters safeguard the dwelling’s small-paned windows.
With approximately 440 m² of inhabitable floor area spread out over four storeys, two independent entrances provide access to the building. The first, giving on to the street to the west, opens directly on to the ground floor, featuring self-contained accommodations, while the second traverses the walled garden, accessible from a small private courtyard to the north as well as a door in the enclosure wall to the east.
In the middle of the dwelling a spiral staircase provides access to all of the floors, whereas its varnished terracotta tile steps, wrought-iron bannister decorated with scroll-shaped patterns and overhead hanging light bedecked with colourful pieces of stained glass come together to create one of the most eye-catching elements in the edifice.
As for the dwelling’s original interior details, they have mostly been preserved and include varnished hexagonal terracotta floor tiles, lime plaster-coated ceiling beams, stucco cornices, ancient woodwork and sculpted marble fireplaces.
With approximately 440 m² of inhabitable floor area spread out over four storeys, two independent entrances provide access to the building. The first, giving on to the street to the west, opens directly on to the ground floor, featuring self-contained accommodations, while the second traverses the walled garden, accessible from a small private courtyard to the north as well as a door in the enclosure wall to the east.
In the middle of the dwelling a spiral staircase provides access to all of the floors, whereas its varnished terracotta tile steps, wrought-iron bannister decorated with scroll-shaped patterns and overhead hanging light bedecked with colourful pieces of stained glass come together to create one of the most eye-catching elements in the edifice.
As for the dwelling’s original interior details, they have mostly been preserved and include varnished hexagonal terracotta floor tiles, lime plaster-coated ceiling beams, stucco cornices, ancient woodwork and sculpted marble fireplaces.
The Private Mansion
The ground floor
Accessible from the entrance facing the street as well as the central staircase, this level contains a self-contained two-room flat, which could generate interesting rental income and includes a foyer, a living room with fireplace, a fitted kitchen, a bedroom, a shower room and a separate lavatory, while, further back, a vaulted cellar with a terracotta tile floor is located next to the boiler room.
The first floor
Featuring a drawing room and a living room with impressive dimensions, characterised by their sculpted marble fireplaces, stucco cornices, original terracotta floor tiles and a floor-to-ceiling height of approximately 3.6 metres, this floor also contains a bedroom with a wardrobe and a shower room. In addition, an immense fitted kitchen, bathed in light by a window facing the garden, is crowned with visible ceiling beams, while a pantry and a separate lavatory round out the rooms on this floor.
The second floor
This floor includes five bedrooms, each with their own washbasin, as well as two bathrooms, a shower room, a wardrobe and several storage spaces, while their original terracotta floor tiles, small-paned windows and interior shutters guarantee seamless unity between all the volumes on this floor.
The third floor
Under the eaves are three bedrooms, including one with an adjacent shower room, along with several washbasins, a separate lavatory, as well as an additional room, which, today, has been converted into an extra sleeping area.
The Garden
With approximately 560 m², large enough to accommodate a lap or larger swimming pool and entirely enclosed by tall stone walls, it provides a quiet and secluded space in the middle of the village. With a large oak and mulberry providing plenty of shade in the middle of the lawn, the garden boasts an ancient stone fountain as well as several flowerbeds planted with Mediterranean varietals.
Our opinion
Behind its understated exterior, this village dwelling is actually a grand edifice designed for entertaining, while its central staircase, the veritable backbone of the edifice, immediately sets the tone for the premises and provides access to all the dwelling’s floors, which have preserved their essential 18th-century attributes.
As for the walled garden, it emphasises this property’s eye-catching charm, whereas, sheltered from view and planted with ancient trees, it naturally extends the dwelling’s living areas to the outdoors and breathes unexpected fresh air into the urban space.
Lastly, the building’s layout offers a rare flexibility in terms of usage, with a self-contained flat on the ground floor and a garden in which a swimming pool could be added, the whole in the middle of a village only ten minutes away from Saint-Paul-lez-Durance.
795 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 377060
| Main building floor area | 438 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 9 |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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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.
