an estate made up of an eclectic 20th-century residence and 16th-outbuildings
Location
This property, located in the Vaucluse area, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, is 40 minutes from Aix-en-Provence city-centre and 45 minutes from its high-speed TGV train station. Marseille-Provence international airport is within less than one hour’s reach. The residence and its farm outbuildings are situated in the Luberon regional natural park, amidst the vineyards and mountains of the same name, in the southern part of the Vaucluse area. In the surrounding sector, there are many old villages with markets typical of Provence, paying witness to local activity that is focused on agricultural and craft production.
Description
The main residence
It has been recently redesigned in a truly theatrical manner. From the southern gate, the edifice, which can be reached via the lower garden, displays a southern facade worthy of a theatre set. The ground floor overlooks visitors, thanks to a double staircase leading to a patio with an 18th-century stone balustrade, and is made up of a series of rooms set one after another, comprising living spaces facing onto the patio to the south. The central entrance leads into an oval room covered by a dome of mosaics and stained-glass depicting figures from the play Othello. To the west, it leads to a dining room beneath a roof frame with exposed trusses, where there is a neo-medieval fireplace with a half-spherical hood resting on column-shaped jambs. Next to it, there is a kitchen in the tower leading to a vestibule in the north. To the east, a rotunda leads into an English-style study, with black and white lozenge-shaped taco tiling beneath a staff coffered ceiling. Light streams in through arched windows that overlook the patio. Carrying on, a lounge with a neo-medieval fireplace combines Spanish twisted columns with modern stained-glass windows.
It in turn leads to a protruding section erected on southern side, via a continuous patio and double staircase. This section of the residence opens out into the garden via two large, pointed arch windows. On the side of the patio, it also boasts a watchtower turret. Inside, two bedrooms share a shower room. One of the bedrooms possesses a balcony. The roof terrace on this section is bordered by balusters and offers views of Mount Sainte-Victoire. On the northern facade, there are three different entrances: in the centre via the rotunda or on the sides, via the vestibule to the west or the lounge to the east.
A former wine cellar at the foot of the south facade offers a substantial volume for full conversion.
The 20th-century wing
This three-storey tower with a roof made of barrel tiles on the western tip of the residence was added in the 20th century. On the ground floor, in a hall, a staircase that can be reached from the kitchen or northern courtyard climbs to the upper floors. It is made up of Provence terracotta tiled steps with wooden bullnoses and an ironwork guard-rail. On the first floor it leads to a bedroom with wood stripped flooring beneath a moulded ceiling and is bathed in light through two arched windows. Next to this bedroom, there is a bathroom. On the top floor, there are two bedrooms set one after another, which also have wood stripped flooring and share a lavatory. As with the bedroom with a balcony in the neighbouring wing, the bedrooms’ windows overlook the patio.
The 16th-century outbuildings
Recently renovated the outbuildings house six separate apartments over two storeys, each with a bathroom and lavatory as well as terracotta tiled floors. The apartments opening out from the south facade open onto a 70 m² patio near to the swimming pool. Following on from it to the east, a covered area with an imposing ceiling height boasts plenty of potential for conversion.
The garden
The approximately 10 hectares of the property’s grounds include 4 enclosed hectares around the immediate vicinity of the buildings. The four hectares include the theatrical garden at the foot of the southern facade, made up of a double staircase and pond in the middle, a 16 by 8 metre swimming pool with an adjoining 4 by 4 metre children's pool, near the outbuildings, the meadows, a courtyard to the north and an approximately 50 m² ruin. On the edge of the forest, a raised platform has been installed with views of the patio. To the south, the 6 hectares of forest encircle this part of the property, which enjoys views of the surrounding landscape.
Our opinion
This property stems from almost four centuries of constructions and additions. It is result of a lifestyle nourished by a variety of influences that nonetheless form a cohesive whole. The grounds surrounding the buildings offer uninterrupted views of Provence’s countryside, the comfort of the woods, peacefulness of the meadows and scents of the orchards as well as the relaxing setting of the swimming pool. It is self-sufficient in water thanks to the presence of several boreholes and a spring, which is an added bonus. This adaptable property could equally be suited to family life as well as to a tourist accommodation project.
1 700 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 610534
| Land registry surface area | 7 ha 30 a 67 ca |
| Main building floor area | 612 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 238 m² |
| including refurbished area | 238 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
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.