a Bastide requiring renovation on 11 ha with outbuildings, chapel and swimming pool
Location
At the edge of the Verdon, the property, in a prominent position and surrounded by nature, is a 10-minute walk from a pretty Provencal village built on a tufa barrier where many craftsmen have pursued their skills since the 17th century.
Between the lake, the sea and the mountains, it takes 1 hour to get to the Aix TGV station or Marseille airport, 1h30 to enjoy the beaches of the Var coastline, 40 minutes to sail on the Sainte-Croix lake and 2h30 to enjoy the ski slopes.
Description
A large terraced area planted with olive trees, below the buildings, and a forest surround the property. A paved alley leads down to the swimming pool. Finally, above the chapel, a footpath winds through the green holm oak forest; and on a plateau at its heart, dry stone ruins, the remains of an ancient enclosure wall and some shelters can be found.
The Bastide
With a simple and balanced architecture, dating from the 19th century, it comprises three levels of approximately 150 m2 each, topped by a monk and nun tile roof with attic space. The roughcast stone facade features thirteen windows and the entrance door.
On the ground floor, two large sitting rooms bathed in light open directly on to a kitchen, a rear kitchen and a large scullery. The spacious volumes allow easy circulation. The large windows are double glazed with shutters and old frames. A wrought iron banister runs along the Provencal staircase with hexagonal terracotta tiled steps and wooden stair nosing. It leads to the two upper floors, which are fully fitted out. Their layout is similar, each comprising five bedrooms and three water points. The landing is extended by a small corridor that runs around the stairwell. The top floor is taken up by the attic.
The Bastide is in need of complete renovation.
The outbuildings
The farmhouse appears to be the oldest building of all, probably dating from the 18th century. Its ground floor offers a large vaulted room and a boiler room. An external staircase leads to the first floor comprising a renovated flat and a large terrace.
From the latter, a staircase leads up to the second floor, which has two very large rooms in need of renovation. This house offers generous volumes and potential for renovation.
The caretaker's house dating from the 1970s can be accessed from the terrace. It offers a three-room flat, with the ground floor benefiting from a large room with a fireplace. Renovation work is also required in this building.
Finally the chapel, of contemporary design, is simple, featuring vertical stained glass windows with geometric patterns that diffuse coloured light.
The garden
The buildings are located on a hillside on almost 12 hectares, arranged in long terraces.
Above the Bastide, they are wooded, conducive to walks along narrow footpaths. This is where the remnants of old enclosure walls can be found, as well as pine trees dominating the Provencal maquis shrubland, and a tree house in the middle of the holm oaks.
The southern part is well protected from the mistral wind; it houses the swimming pool and large terraces with olive trees, on which other crops could be developed.
Our opinion
The property, in a prominent position on the edge of a charming village, benefits from an exceptional and varied landscape with exceptional Provencal scents, combining the pleasure of walking along shady and fragrant paths with the possibility of cultivating a vegetable garden and an orchard with good southern exposure near the house.
Some of the buildings have been used for community purposes, and renovation work has already begun to restore the house to its former glory. A large family will be happy here, but a shared accommodation or a permaculture project would also be ideal to revive this island of stone and greenery turned towards the horizon.
830 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 465936
Land registry surface area | 11 ha 75 a 13 ca |
Number of bedrooms | 15 |
Outbuilding surface area | 280 m2 |
including refurbished area | 190 m2 |
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.