castles with terrace for sale Aix-en-Provence, France

SUMPTUOUS 18TH-CENTURY CHATEAU IN UPPER PROVENCE - Luberon - 13 Hectares - Superb view - Listed Historic Monument - 1 hour from Aix-en-Provence - Forcalquier - Provence. In a sublime landscape with views stretching for several kilometers, this classical palace built around 1720 perfectly illustrates the French art of living during the Regency period, worthy of the film Que la fête commence. The architectural magnificence of what is considered the finest 18th-century chateau in Provence is matched only by the extraordinary effort required to build it during the last plague epidemic in Europe, in Marseille from 1720 to 1722, combined with colossal financial means born from the financial euphoria of John Law's banking system. A work by the great Parisian architect Pierre-Alexis Delamair, who designed the Hôtel de Soubise in Paris, now home to the National Archives, its construction was entrusted to Jean-Baptiste Franque, who created some of the finest 18th-century monuments in Provence, notably in Aix and Avignon. Its 18th-century classical architecture, strongly inspired by Parisian and Versailles architecture, is particularly refined, classical and symmetrical, centered around a projecting central section with three bays of French windows beneath a large pediment. It is known as the “Trianon of Provence”. Its gables are equally remarkable, with extremely rich sculptures, elaborate wrought-iron balconies, and on the park side, overlooking from a broad terrace the vast formal French gardens recently recreated, the central projection of the façade displays a sumptuous portico of four fully rounded columns, exceptionally rare for a private residence in the 18th century, as such elements inspired by Antiquity were reserved for the highest-ranking figures connected to the royal family. Inside, beneath ceilings reaching 5.3 meters high and flooded with light from every direction, the entrance hall opens onto the grand 80 m² reception salon. It is decorated with pilasters topped by Ionic capitals, echoed by monumental free-standing columns leading to the majestic staircase, entirely open through its grand flight of steps rising to the upper floor, populated with columns forming balconies dramatically overlooking the hall. It is undoubtedly one of the finest private 18th-century staircases in France. The ground floor opens on every side into a sequence of reception rooms with very restrained décor, left unfinished in the 18th century after the collapse of Law's banking system in 1720, in which the Forbin family, patrons of the property, are said to have participated. A grand salon, a music room adorned with a balustrade, a salon with alcove and niche, a large dining room with a neo-Gothic fireplace, an entrance hall on the south gable at the location of the former chapel, two large rooms used as visitor boutiques, and a mezzanine apartment with 3 bedrooms. Linen room, WC. A mezzanine apartment on the south gable, a kitchen, a living/dining room, access via the south staircase; on the mezzanine level upstairs, an office, a linen room, two bedrooms, and access to the mezzanine of the music salon. On the first floor, an extraordinary and highly impressive gallery 45 meters long runs alongside the majestic columned hall overlooking the staircase. 8 very beautiful bedrooms, some with antechambers and private cabinets, decorated with fireplaces. A billiard-library adorned with magnificent 19th-century wallpapers. A chapel. A large attic. Large and beautiful vaulted stone cellars. Wine cellars. Tunnel. Central heating in part of the chateau. In the outbuildings: Two guesthouses with 2 and 3 bedrooms. A 3-bedroom residence. A reception hall seating 150 guests in the former orangery, professional kitchen, restrooms. A large garage for 2 cars. A swimming pool. Sumptuous terraced gardens arranged along a 500-meter axial perspective: 300 meters of grand avenue facing the chateau and 270 meters on the terraced garden side. Embroidery gardens recreating the original 18th-century plans by Pierre-Alexis Delamair preserved in Munich, reconstructed in 2023, highlighted by a monumental stone obelisk. A very beautiful and large ornamental pond with its fountain to the north. 18th-century double-flight staircases. Location: -2.5 km from the first shops and services. A hotel 1.5 km away. -3 km from a 5-star hotel. -5 km from Forcalquier, all shops and services. -20 km from the A51 motorway. -67 km from Aix-en-Provence (1 hour). -87 km from Aix TGV station (1h10). Paris in 2h50. Price: 5,900,000 euros agency fees included, payable by the seller. Fees to be paid by the seller. Not subject to DPE. Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Geohazards website: georisques.gouv.fr.