A late 18th century bastide to be renovated set in 4 000 m² of land planted with trees
in a very quiet location close to the sea, in the Cap Brun district of Toulon
in a very quiet location close to the sea, in the Cap Brun district of Toulon
Toulon,
VAR
provence-cote-dazur
83000
FR
Location
The property is located in the south-west of the Var, in Toulon, along a road in the Cap Brun residential area, bordered by old properties and vast grounds dominated by tall trees. The first wild creeks are a 15-minute walk away, and the long sandy beaches of Mourillon are 25 minutes away. Toulon, the prefecture of the department, with its urban community of half a million inhabitants, is also reputed as home to the most beautiful natural harbour in Europe. Paris can be reached in 4 hours from the TGV station, Toulon-Hyères airport is 30 minutes away by car and Marseille-Provence international airport is 1 hour 15 minutes away.
Description
The almost 4 000 m² plot is fully enclosed, virtually completely flat, rectangular-shaped and faces north-south. The country house, with around 250 m² of living space, also known as the "campagne" in the region, is in a central position and is bordered on both sides by old terracotta terraces. Linked to the entrance gate by a stone path laid out in “calade” style, it is enhanced by the various species of majestic trees that border it and occupy the northern part of the grounds. The southern part, which does not have any trees in the centre and is structured by wide, low terraces, would be particularly suitable for a large swimming pool.
The central part of the bastide is two storeys high above a garden level, with three rows of windows on the first and second floors, and two lower one-storey wings. The three roofs are gabled with canal tiles and the ridge lines are roughly on the same line. Two rows of white painted spandrels adorn the roofs.
A single-storey extension has been built in the north-west corner to house a painting studio topped by a beautiful paved terrace, which is accessible from the first floor.
The rectangular windows are protected by green-painted shutters. Several balconies, gazebos, overhangs and an external staircase brighten up the south facade.
Finally, the outbuildings are grouped together along the western boundary of the property, and include a shed, two garages, a cellar and various storage areas.
The central part of the bastide is two storeys high above a garden level, with three rows of windows on the first and second floors, and two lower one-storey wings. The three roofs are gabled with canal tiles and the ridge lines are roughly on the same line. Two rows of white painted spandrels adorn the roofs.
A single-storey extension has been built in the north-west corner to house a painting studio topped by a beautiful paved terrace, which is accessible from the first floor.
The rectangular windows are protected by green-painted shutters. Several balconies, gazebos, overhangs and an external staircase brighten up the south facade.
Finally, the outbuildings are grouped together along the western boundary of the property, and include a shed, two garages, a cellar and various storage areas.
The country house
Built at the end of the 18th century, it came into the family of the current owners in 1845. At the time, the house was limited to its central part, with around 40 m² of interior space on each of the three levels, surrounded by 50 cm thick walls. The 20th century saw the addition of the west wing and the two-storey entrance hall in the 1930s, followed by the overhanging room in the north-west corner after 1940. The east wing, also on two levels, was added in the 1960s. The west wing occupies around 27 m² per level and the east wing around 20 m². Each of these parts is only partitioned by lightweight walls, making it easy to create larger rooms if required. The ceilings in the central area are supported by 2.6 m high beams on the first floor and 2.4 m on the second, while they exceed 3 m in the winged rooms on the first floor.
The house is currently divided into two flats, each with a living room and kitchen, one of which occupies the garden level and the upper floors and the other with access via the outside staircase. It would be possible to restore the internal staircase between the garden level and the first floor. With this option, and even if you devote around 60 m² to the living areas, the house could house up to eight or nine bedrooms.
Finally, all of the windows and doors are wooden and single-glazed.
The garden-level floor
It is accessed via a small entrance room on the south side, which opens into a lounge with a fireplace and a carved wooden mantelpiece, with a French window and two normal windows. The paving is contemporary and the walls are painted. From here, a door leads into an old sandstone-paved kitchen, which is connected with the room above, which is currently used as an artist's studio. The floor is covered in terracotta tiles and some of the walls are painted or covered in dark wallpaper. The room opens up to the outside via six glazed exits. One bedroom, in the west wing, can be accessed via the entrance hall. It is paved with coloured cement tiles which are painted white, lit by windows on two sides and adorned with a Napoleon III-style black marble corner fireplace and a large dark wooden wardrobe. The other bedroom on this floor is located in the east wing, and its floor is protected by a modern light-coloured parquet. There is a bathroom with a private toilet next to it.
The first floor
Forming a separate flat with the second floor, it can be accessed via the external staircase on the south façade. A solid wooden entrance door with a metal knocker leads into an entrance hall that opens onto a lounge that is lit by a single window but which benefits from the light coming in from the large window in the adjacent entrance hall. Almost all floors on this level are covered in terracotta tiles, and the living room has a large fireplace with a varnished wooden mantle and brick hearth. The walls are wallpapered. A second, larger lounge takes up the whole of the west wing. It is decorated with cement tiles, has a marble and brick fireplace in one corner and a ceiling height of over 3 metres. Outside light enters through three windows and a French window which are spread out over three walls. From this room you can access the open terrace overlooking the artist's studio, lined with pillars and protected by wrought-iron railings. In the southern part of the first living room, there is a staircase with tiled steps and wooden nosing leading to the upper floor, a toilet and a hallway leading to a bedroom lit by two windows on the north side and a study on the south side. Finally, the kitchen occupies part of the east wing.
The second floor
As is often the case in buildings from this period, the floors of the rooms on this level, with the exception of the bathroom, are covered with rectangular screens. The landing leads to three bedrooms, each around 10 m2 with a window, two on the north side and one on the south, and a bathroom. A hatch in the ceiling provides access to the attic.
The outbuildings
They are grouped together along the western boundary of the site. There is a shed measuring around 20 m2, overlooked by a storage mezzanine of the same size, and a vast garage that is extended by a cellar. All of this is topped by a floor that occupies most of the space and a single garage. A separate storage room is located near the patio.
The parkland
From the tarmac road, a wrought-iron gate opens onto a stone “calade” that leads across the northern part of the grounds to the house and its terrace with old terracotta tiles laid out in a staggered pattern. This area is heavily wooded with large pine trees, a eucalyptus tree, a few cypresses and other Mediterranean species. Close to the artist's studio, the terrace extends as far as the outbuildings and houses a stone wash-house and fountain.
Past the house to the east there is a terrace to the south, also laid with terracotta tiles and surrounded by a low wall. The south-western section is laid out as a vast patio planted with pittosporums, palms and bamboo. It is isolated by a wall to the north, which ensures privacy and separates it from the outbuildings and the wash-house. A gigantic umbrella pine borders the house on one side and a large cypress on the other.
The parkland is extended to the south by a beautiful arbour and several paths and gravelled areas, embellished with old jars and a few wooden and metal benches. Two rows of cypress trees close off the area to the east and west, leaving the central part uncovered, with its low terraces where a large swimming pool could easily be built. There are several other tree species, including a few fig trees.
Our opinion
A property like dozens of others at one time. But now only a few of these have survived the vicissitudes of time. Unconventional in its form due to successive additions, the house nonetheless has a real unity of style, which is particularly enhanced by its exceptional vegetation. The terraces, the large patio planted with trees, the vast shaded areas and the paintings combine harmoniously to create an environment conducive to relaxation and tranquillity.
At the price of a thorough renovation of the house interior, its future occupants are guaranteed an enchanting setting in which to entertain friends or enjoy the mild Mediterranean climate with their family, both close to the sea and the town centre but far from the crowds.
1 768 000 €
Negotiation fees included
1 700 000 € Fees excluded
4%
TTC at the expense of the purchaser
Reference 282502
| Land registry surface area | 3859 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 250 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 68 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.
