luxury houses for sale Provence-Alps-French-Riviera, France (page 185)

A singular country residence awaiting renovation, with a view of the Montagnette hills, Boulbon village and its windmill. The 'Mas Boun Aou' (good people's farmhouse) was originally a tenant farm, transformed in the 20th century into a country residence and later into an artist's house. A painter lived and worked here until the end of the last century, spending much of his time contemplating the surrounding countryside. Thereafter, many artists stayed here, escaping the frenzy of the world. Boun Aou bears the imprint of these successive stays, all of which had one thing in common: the search for seclusion. On the garden side, the elegant facade, built of opus incertum with rough-cut stones bonded with white mortar, bears the date 1875. Facing south/south-east, it features tall windows and large glass doors, highly unusual in Provence architecture, which generally favours small openings to provide better protection from the heat. Carved ornaments with mascaron, cornucopia and antique head motifs above the door frames probably bear witness to the time when a local dignitary lived here, as if to underline the nobility of this farmhouse of rural origin. A sundial adorns the corner of the south-east wall. A vast, empty hayloft adjoining the main building has a carriage door opening onto the countryside, providing further evidence of the building's rural past. The interior of the farmhouse is very rustic, with Ardèche chestnut beams showing branding marks from being floated down the Rhône, preserving the quaint atmosphere of the country homes of yesteryear. The interior masonry walls, often exposed, of the same type of 'cyclopean' massive stonework as on the outside, feature recesses designed to house votive statuettes. All the windows and doors open onto a garden of biblical species: pomegranate, olive, cypress, fig and myrtle trees. The discreetly shaped openings in the foliage offer views of the poetic Montagnette landscape, south of the Alpilles hills.

A chateau and its outbuildings set in a vast 160 ha estate comprising plains, forests, olive groves and vineyards in the heart of Green Provence . The chateau comes into view at the end of a long drive winding through a lush green plain with vineyards, olive groves and streams. A long driveway lined with box hedges leads to the residence and splits into two symmetrical tracks surrounding a large lawned garden with an oval pool at its centre featuring koi carp. The atmosphere calls to mind a noble Italian villa, dominating the vineyards and nearby olive groves. Four large plane trees rise above the south-facing terrace, providing shade and freshness all summer long. A flight of steps takes you down to a large lawn below. The outbuildings are within easy reach, scattered around the chateau while retaining their independence and discretion. The buildings are of dry stone, typical of the region. The main facade of the chateau is rendered in ochre roughcast, with darker, slightly projecting window surrounds and cream-coloured stone sills. There are twelve arched openings on each of the two storeys of the south-facing elevation, with original casement and French windows illuminating the rooms. Two square towers flank the main facade to the east and west of the structure. There is a chapel alongside the eastern end of the building. The wooden main entrance door has a cream-coloured stone surround and is topped by a transom with an intricate wrought-iron grille. The hallway is accessed via a stone step.

An eighteenth-century Provençal house 15 minutes from Orange TGV station, in the historical county of Venaissin with 2.4 hectares of wooded grounds and a view of Mount Ventoux. This property was once part of a vast, plain, farming estate, of which it still has 2.4 ha of land. The constructions stand on the north-east side of its land on a knoll, circumvented by a meander of the Carpentras canal, marking the northern limit. The main entrance, leading to a courtyard, is provided by gates on the south-west side, facing the estate’s land. On the north-east side, a high wall, lined with unsquared surface limestone, encloses the courtyard; a little door in this perimeter wall makes it possible to reach an outstanding stand of oak trees, on the north slope, bordered by the canal. The main building is a traditional Provençal country house, constructed at the end of the 18th century, even the beginning of the 19th century, probably on the foundations of an earlier construction, notably visible in the enclosed courtyard courtesy of the vestiges of old blocked up windows. It spans two levels and faces southwards over the courtyard. It is symmetrically and harmoniously composed and topped with a triple overhanging cornice, forming the eaves. Its lime-rendered walls feature aligned openings, framed with painted surrounds, enhanced with red edging. The north-east corner of the country house features a wide, drop arch, carriage door, topped with a virtually square opening, indicating a probable reconstruction of the country house’s east gable or a vestige of an earlier construction. A square, single-storey pavilion, topped with a roof terrace, bears witness to an earlier building, possibly a 2-storey dovecote. Reached via steps on the west facade, it marks the southern limit of the country house. It is extended by a terraced area, supported by a dry-stone wall, containing a swimming pool that closes the courtyard. And lastly, the parklands extend over the top of the open area to the south of the courtyard. Planted with Mediterranean species, notably convoluted pine trees, they still include some decoratively trimmed boxwood and a masonry well, topped with a local limestone dome.

In the Var, in the center of the village of Cotignac, two apartments like a house, with a garden. The building, erected in the 17th century under canal tiles, is located in a sloping alley of the old center. It once housed the kitchens of a hotel situated higher up the street. The entrance, accessible through a curved solid wood door, corresponds to an old stable whose paved floor retains a flooring suitable for the passage of horses. The building is raised over three levels. The whole has now been divided into five apartments. Two of them — the one on the ground floor with a garden and the one on the first level on the west side — make up part of the co-ownership.This description has been automatically translated from French.

A characterful dwelling with a sweeping sea view and a walled garden dotted with citrus trees, nestled in the old town centre of Hyères in the south of France. It was under the reign of Charles I of Anjou, in the 13th century, that a fortified town with five gates was built around the chateau here. One of these gates, Porte Saint-Paul, still has the grooves of its former portcullis. The edifice has three floors and is built upon Porte Saint-Paul gate. It has been redesigned several times since it was first built and it was extended in the 19th century. Its elevations are coated with rendering and its window and door surrounds are made of exposed ashlar, as are its quoins. The windows are arranged in four bays along the sea-facing elevation. They are of different sizes. Most of them are arched and the others are rectangular. A double-row génoise cornice underlines a roof of barrel tiles, which crowns the main section. A turret marks a corner of the edifice. It is supported by the gate’s thickest pillar and is capped with a zinc cone roof that is crowned with a finial. Inside the building there are five apartments, including the three that are for sale and which lie on the ground floor and first floor. The current owners have brought the three apartments together into a single dwelling with a 160m² floor area. The dwelling surrounds a terrace and a walled garden dotted with old citrus trees. The garden faces south and enjoys absolute privacy. It offers panoramic views of the Îles d'Or islands and the surrounding hills, upon which Villa Noailles stands. The three apartments could be turned into three self-contained units, each with their own private entrance. From a small road behind Saint-Paul collegiate church, three steps take you to an old door, which leads to the building’s entrance hall and to a wooden spiral staircase. These stairs take you to the upper floors.

In a typical village of Haut-Var, a 17th-century house and its enclosed garden with a swimming pool. The village house modestly expresses the elegance of Provençal homes. On the street side, the ochre facade, balanced and warm, contrasts with sage green shuttered windows, topped with four oculi framed with a light decor reminiscent of the stone arches of the ground floor's windows, as well as the central door. On the courtyard side, the white facade, largely covered with virgin vine, is rhythmically punctuated by high arched windows with pale blue shutters, which diffuse a soft and even light throughout the space. The paved, sheltered, and intimate inner courtyard combines old stone, patinated walls, and climbing vegetation. In the shade of the facades, the space becomes a privileged living area in fine weather.This description has been automatically translated from French.

A traditional Provencal farmhouse and its garden of more than 8,000 m², thirty minutes from Vaison-la-Romaine in the Vaucluse department. The property is accessible via an electric gate, which opens onto an entirely enclosed and meticulously maintained garden. Once past the entrance, one’s gaze is immediately drawn to the way in which the buildings have been elegantly arranged around the property, while the stately main dwelling, abutting an immense storage shed, is characterised by its thick lime-plastered walls, which help absorb the dazzling sunlight, and its typically Provencal genoise corbels. Organised in a U shape around several outdoor spaces designed for relaxation, the farmhouse naturally hugs the property’s topography and seems to melt into the landscape in typical Provencal fashion, whereas, in true southern tradition, its north-south orientation ensures optimal sunlight and natural protection from the Mistral winds. In addition, a breath-taking Mediterranean mosaic extends around the property’s garden: rows of vineyards and olive trees create a verdant setting, while, not far from the dwelling, a rectangular swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, carefully shielded from view thanks to dense hedges, provides a pleasant oasis. Lastly, a second dwelling, set back and hidden behind the main dwelling, was converted into a holiday cottage.

30 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, in a large character bastide, a duplex and its private garden on a 3-hectare private estate. On the estate, besides the castle that served as a wine cellar in Roman times, three bastides were built in the 17th century. One of them underwent complete restoration about fifteen years ago with quality materials by a renowned architect, who divided it into apartments. The large bastide, surrounded by vineyards, is accessible from a wrought iron gate framed by two stone pillars and consists of several buildings of different shapes and heights. The walls of the buildings have been coated with ochre yellow lime. The whole is topped with gabled roofs made of canal tiles, typical of the region. On the eastern side of the central building, a courtyard with two stone basins is lined with plane trees. The clever layout of the windows of the apartments, protected by wooden shutters, and the adjoining gardens, allows each to maintain its privacy. The elegance of the building is highlighted by the cypress trees planted on either side. At the back, an olive grove and a large swimming pool serve as common space. A little further down, an additional area has been created and serves as parking space for residents.This description has been automatically translated from French.

On the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, less than 30 minutes from the train station and the airport, a 300 m² bastide with a swimming pool, set in a wooded and enclosed park of nearly 2,000 m². Surrounded by greenery, the estate is situated away from an urban thoroughfare. Below, a wooded and classified hillside ensures an unchanging horizon. Furthermore, the property, enclosed by walls and hedges, protects the privacy of its occupants while allowing the Provençal light to enter. Integrated into a residence, although completely independent, it is thus quiet and perfectly secure. The old bastide, whose origins date back to the 17th century, reflects the Aixois art of living, balancing classic rigor and southern elegance. Rectangular in plan, it offers more than 300 m² of living space, spread over three levels. The dressed stone elevations are coated with lime and topped by a traditional canal tile roof finished with a double eave. The monumental door built of Bibémus stone, topped with a cherub's head, recalls the original residential purpose of the place. The windows, symmetrically positioned around this door, are closed by wooden small-paned joinery and complemented by wooden shutters. The bastide was enlarged to the east by a veranda illuminated by large iron windows and topped with a terrace roof covered by a pergola. Two renovation campaigns in 1999 and 2006 have allowed for a blend of heritage and comfort: careful insulation, modern heating, and discreet air conditioning.This description has been automatically translated from French.

On the heights of Cavalaire, a villa with building potential, its landscaped garden of 1,500 m² and its swimming pool, 900 m from the sea. From Le Rayol or La Croix-Valmer, the coastal road accesses the residential area of Parc de Cavalaire, where the property is located. Built on one of the town's hills, the house, at the end of a cul-de-sac, is about 900 m from the sea, in a preserved environment free from noise and visual nuisances. A paved path leads to two parking spaces that run alongside the house on one side. Raised by one story on its half and extending to nearly 200 m², the villa was built in 1983 and then enlarged the following year. In Provençal style, with its understated facades of stone blocks covered with ochre plaster, its asymmetrical straight windows, its two-pitched tiled roof, and its two-row cornice, the house was constructed in a dominant position on the plot. On three sides, the house is extended by a terrace, one of which, to the west, is covered by a trellis set up as a dining area for summer. In the foreground, backed by a dry-stone terrace, a rectangular swimming pool and its large semi-circular beach create a beautiful view of the surrounding hills. The garden, about 1,500 m², well-maintained and lush, is rich in a remarkable diversity of plants dominated by a phoenix palm, while the sea comes into view through the vegetation on the horizon. The villa has a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, an office, five bedrooms, and two shower rooms. It is adjoined by an old garage converted into an independent studio of nearly 20 m², ideal for accommodating family or friends. The whole enjoys a calm and green setting typical of a seaside residence.This description has been automatically translated from French.

On the heights of the Jabron Valley, 10 minutes from Sisteron, a hamlet from the 17th and 18th centuries transformed into a lodging place. The property extends over a plot of about 7,000 m², organized around two distinct built ensembles in local stone, covering an area of more than 800 m². The complex, which dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, underwent renovation between 2017 and 2023, preserving ancient elements and adapting the place for lodging activities. The terracotta floor tiles, several original architectural features, and the volume of the buildings have been preserved, while the technical equipment has been modernized to meet current needs. Access to the estate is via a staircase bordered by driftwood leading to an old central courtyard that organizes the circulation between the various buildings. Below, a covered terrace extends the living spaces for large tables during events. Water also structures the surroundings: a swimming pool set apart and a pond animated by a small waterfall in the central courtyard introduce a discreet sound presence. The outdoor areas feature varied vegetation, including fruit trees. At the top, a shaded wooded park houses a wooden terrace as well as an independent lodging in the form of a nomadic tent, designed for a stay in the heart of nature.This description has been automatically translated from French.

In the north of Vaucluse, between Vaison-la-Romaine and Grignan, a fully restored village house with a courtyard and independent studio. The residence, built in the early 19th century on older foundations from the previous century, spans around 220 m² and consists of three levels. It is centered around a large courtyard. Access from the street is through a coach entrance framed by cut stones that leads under a porch. Its southwest exposure ensures good brightness for the various interior spaces. The exterior walls are made of lime jointed stone, with mostly straight openings, hewn stone, and regular-sized formats, featuring recent wooden windows and French doors with small panes and green-painted shutters. The facade is very simple, with minimal ornaments limited to key lintels and the framed openings in molded stone. It is topped with a two-slope roof made of canal tiles, bordered by a two-tier eave. Transformed in the 1980s and then renovated in 2020-2021, the house has managed to retain the character of a village dwelling while incorporating a touch of modernity, notably through the waxed concrete flooring on the ground floor and part of the second floor. The living space traditionally includes a living-dining room and a kitchen on the first level, while the two upper levels encompass four bedrooms with private shower rooms. It benefits from a south-facing courtyard, enhanced by a water feature, which provides a particularly enjoyable space for relaxation and refreshment in the region. Lastly, at the opposite end of the house and extending from the porch, there is a small two-level building that houses a studio, a laundry room, and a bike garage.This description has been automatically translated from French.

In a secluded spot, near Brignoles and the villages of Haut-Var, lies a Provençal bastide with a swimming pool, set on a 1.5-hectare estate. At the end of a discreet path, the place gradually reveals itself. The eye is first guided by the dry stone terraces that organize the space, and then by the presence of water. Coming from an abundant spring, it flows in channels over the stone, runs along the walls, accompanies the paths, and animates the garden with a constant murmur. The bastide, built between 1978 and 1982, consists of two levels with interlocking volumes, one of which is slightly recessed. The façades, with their ochre-yellow render, partially covered with ivy, are pierced with light-shuttered windows. The two-pitched roof is made of canal tiles. Set back, an outbuilding extends the living space: a veranda open to the garden is divided between a kitchen and a summer living room, sheltered by the pine forest. The land, planted with pines and Mediterranean species, alternates between open areas and shaded spaces; a swimming pool has been installed there.This description has been automatically translated from French.

An entirely renovated 17th-century mill, with its swimming pool and outbuildings on 7,500-m² grounds, to the north of the Luberon Mountains. Thanks to its environment and impeccable preservation, the property enjoys a verdant setting where a river still supplies water to the mill. From a secondary B road, a lane winds its way through a forest of live oaks, before reaching the mill, built in a clearing at the top of a small hill and accessible via a carriage entrance at the end of a gravel drive. Shielded by a curtain of vegetation, a peaceful river borders one side of the property’s fertile grounds, while, a little further on, a wooden pedestrian gate, located at the top of a flight of stone steps and framed by two cypresses, opens on to the swimming pool area, concealed from view by a pointed stone building on one side and a hedge on the other. In addition, behind the carriage entrance, three buildings, one of which is placed at a right angle, are grouped around a central cobblestone courtyard, which is closed off on one side by a low stone wall overlooking the grounds. Topped with barrel tile roofs, the one crowning the main dwelling is highlighted by a double genoise cornice.

A large 18th-century Provencal country house, with its gardens and sea views, in the middle of the world’s perfume capital. A few minutes from the historical downtown area of Grasse, the property is made up of a group of buildings surrounded by vegetation, in the middle of the city, while, perched halfway up the hillside, it enjoys unobstructed panoramic views of the sea and the neighbouring countryside. Situated on a plot of land of more than 4,000 m² and nestled within a rolling landscape, it is made up of a long rectangular main building, as well as a caretaker’s cottage. The first is a three-storey construction typical of the 18th century, which was most likely extended lengthwise later on, judging how its roof changes in height almost at its centre, while the second building, located at the property’s entrance, is more modest in size, of similar craftsmanship and from the same period as the main dwelling. Featuring solid constructions, with thick local stone walls covered in light-colour plaster, rectilinear windows placed densely and symmetrically throughout, ashlar stone window/door surrounds or brick window ledges, as well as barrel tile gable roofs, the property also includes, in front of the main dwelling and facing mostly south, a flat swath of lawn with a swimming pool as well as a terraced garden flourishing with vegetation.

To the west of Var, in nature and 20 minutes from the seaside, a restored stone farmhouse with a swimming pool, outbuildings, and unique accommodations. The farmhouse is accessible via a small communal road and then a dirt path about a hundred meters long, which also serves two other properties. A parking area protected by vegetation precedes a stone shed and marks the entrance to the property, whose ground is treated with gravel. The farmhouse, dating back to the 19th century, bordered by a terrace covered with travertine, is oriented to the south. It opens onto a vast flat area overlooking a swimming pool. Its unjointed stone facades are topped with a two-pitched canal tile roof and edged with a two-tiered cornice. Elevated over two levels, the main building has four upright openings on the upper floor and three French doors on the ground floor, whose masonry frames are typically southern. Attached to its eastern side is an independent studio that opens onto a terrace through a wide double French door. Its roof is flat and serves as a terrace and access, via a back staircase, to a second, larger studio. In front of the terrace delimited by a dry stone wall and two mulberry trees framing a few steps, extends a gravel and grassy area, from where there is a wide view of the vineyards in a hilly landscape. At the eastern end of the land, among hundred-year-old olive trees, two boxes with their private spaces have been arranged for 'unique' seasonal accommodation. To the west, below the swimming pool, there are a vegetable garden, fruit trees, and a well that provides them with the necessary water.This description has been automatically translated from French.

A late 19th century Belle Époque villa with sea views and 4 000 m² of grounds, 5 minutes from the centre of Saint-Raphaël . The property is set in large, gently sloping grounds planted with trees, structured by several terraces and bordered by ancient dry stone walls. This spacious late 19th-century bourgeois residence sits at the top of the plot, where it enjoys a south-facing view over the grounds, with the seafront as a backdrop. Built on a base of exposed ashlar, the building has four storeys with rendered façades, ashlar quoins, window frames and balconies. The roof has interlocking tiles and four slopes topped with chimney stacks. The former main entrance, a large gate at the bottom of the property leads to a carport in need of renovation. The way up to the house was via a wide, curved stone staircase looking over a wooded area. A second entrance, which was originally a service entrance, is now more useful as it is close to the building.

In Marseille, near the Calanques, a villa with a pool on nearly 1600 m². In a cul-de-sac, away from the noise of the city, an ornate iron gate marks the entrance to the property. A driveway initially runs alongside a pool, then crosses the landscaped park before reaching the villa, hidden in the greenery, which provides a welcome coolness during the summer heat. The property consists of three buildings arranged to form an inverted U, each covered with mechanical tiles. Large bay windows, protected by wooden panels or shutters in need of restoration, break up the façades. The first, central building, oriented east-west, serves as the main entrance, slightly set back from the other two. It houses a kitchen and distributes to two other volumes as well as a garage. On the first floor, two units with bedrooms, bathrooms, and toilets are extended by terraces. The second building, to the west, connected to the previous one by a diagonal south-west/north-east, contains a living room equipped with a fireplace. Finally, the third building, located to the east, perpendicular to the main body along a north-south axis, comprises three bedrooms as well as a shared bathroom. The ground floor alternates between terracotta and cement tiles. The house is equipped with electric heating and air conditioning.This description has been automatically translated from French.

A 20th-century Mediterranean villa with a sea view and over 5,000m² of grounds, nestled near Toulon in south-east France. An electric metal gate leads into the property. A winding driveway, lined with stone walls and vegetation, stretches 150 metres. This drive leads to a gravelled court where two age-old olive trees tower. The dwelling has a ground floor, a first floor and a second floor in the roof space. It offers a liveable floor area that is currently around 250m². A basement adds 130m² to the floor area. The villa is classical in style. It faces north and south and is made of rubble stone, coated with pale ochre rendering. Many openings punctuate the facade, with large-paned windows and glazed doors fitted with shutters painted green. The edifice is crowned with a gable roof of barrel tiles, underlined with a double-row génoise cornice. The window surrounds and roof stringcourse are white, bringing out the ochre tone of the rendering and all the other colours of the whole. On the south side, there is a terrace with a court with olive trees. Here you can admire a view of Toulon’s natural harbour and the sea. On the west side, there is a second terrace. It offers a view of the surrounding hills and the grounds, which are terraced with dry-stone retaining walls.

A traditional Provence house with large outbuildings, a swimming pool, tree-filled garden, and 2 hectares of fig trees, near to Hyères and 20 minutes from the beaches. From the country road, a lane lined with fig trees, also leading to other houses, heads directly to the property’s entrance and its wide, sliding gate, behind which there is a large, tarmacked inner courtyard. This vast parking area serves the two outbuildings used for the farming activity but also the two-storey main dwelling and the adjacent single-storey apartment to the west. The country house, which was erected more than 20 years ago, combines the main dwelling and independent apartment. It boasts a sober and classic appearance that is respectful of Provence’s architectural traditions: a subtly toned pink rendered façade, almost perfectly symmetrically laid out rectangular windows - though some doors and patio doors are arched - pastel blue Venetian louvred shutters and, depending on the section of the building, hipped or half-hipped roofs made of half-round tiles, underlined by a double genoise corbel. Its southern façade overlooks a large patio that stretches out in front of the apartment to the west, while the approximately 800-m² garden mainly expands to the south and east. The swimming pool and pool-house are located at the southeastern tip of the garden, which is enclosed by walls and hedges, while a working, approximately 2-hectare, certified organic fig tree orchard can be found to south of the house.

Close to the Verdon gorges, in the Var hills, a small 19th-century bastide has been enlarged, set in a 1.7 ha park dotted with pines and olive trees. Less than 5 minutes from the village via the departmental road, access to the fully enclosed property is through a wrought iron gate framed by walls. On the northern edge, the main body of the building forms a harmonious ensemble of square volumes topped with pediments. The former small country bastide from 1808, renovated and extended in 2000, blends with a contemporary wing of similar inspiration, resulting in around 350 m² of living space. The whole structure faces south and overlooks a 1.7 ha park punctuated by pines, olive trees, and other Mediterranean species. The two sections, connected by a large open-plan room that runs through, maintain the coherence of an imposing building, with facades coated in white lime, punctuated by symmetrical openings lined with gray shutters. The railings of the first floor of the former sheepfold are adorned with wrought iron work. The two-pitched roofs and the double eaves emphasize their elegance. The south, west, and north facades are bordered by large gravel terraces. The one to the south, with its two plane trees, opens onto a panorama of hills and scrubland and leads, by a stone staircase, to an alleyway alternately lined with cypress trees and hedges. This leads to a fountain, while the one to the west creates a dining space in the shade of a two-hundred-year-old tree. At the back of the building, to the north, a parking area for numerous vehicles is adjacent to a caretaker's house. Beyond, the terraced olive fields spread out, the pine forest to the east, and set back a discreet masonry pool, protected from view by stone walls and hedges.This description has been automatically translated from French.

At the gates of Sisteron, with the Jabron valley on the horizon, a Provençal farmhouse on a 1.3-hectare plot, its olive grove and its thicket. The entrance gate, to the north of the farmhouse, is accessible via a rarely traveled paved communal road, which serves a few properties and olive groves, without any overlooking. It leads to a vast courtyard that connects to a garage and the main entrance of the family house built in 1994 and facing south. The main facade opens onto a spacious summer kitchen, a true outdoor living space, with a terracotta tiled floor from Launes. Under a traditional roof with exposed flat tiles, the oak framework of Durance and the chestnut rafters form a beautifully crafted ensemble. From the courtyard, the outdoor living areas are only revealed by stepping back, using a covered passage between the garage and the farmhouse, or through the garden that runs along a thicket of oaks. A garden lounge is placed there. Located as close as possible to the first olive trees, a swimming pool, facing directly south and constantly sunlit, extends the views over the olive groves and the surrounding wooded hills.This description has been automatically translated from French.

A characterful house with a cosy garden, in the shade of a tower, overlooking Gap, in a wooded and peaceful environment with mountain views. A small country road leads to the house, which is tucked away from prying eyes behind tall fir and evergreen oak trees, yet enjoys a dominating position. From the road, only the east and west facing façades are visible. A carefully concreted private drive leads to outside parking spaces and the entrance to the garage, whose wide, semi-circular arched door enhances the architectural character of the property. A flight of steps leads to the stoop. The hipped-roofed, emblematic tower of the residence, which resembles a family manor, stands on one side. The light-coloured façades, roofs made of brown, local, flat tiles and the well-balanced volumes reinforce the house’s traditional appearance. The rest of the building is topped by a gabled roof with markedly protruding eaves. On the southwest façade, up which climbs a flight of steps lined with a guard-rail made of balusters, the main entrance door can be found, framed by a finely crafted, semi-circular stone arch. A garden with generous foliage stretches alongside the southeast façade. White oak, fir and pine trees outline its contours, while a small wall to the south marks the boundary. The garden is an invitation for pleasant meals in the shade of the trees, or simply for rest and relaxation. A white-painted wrought iron pavilion in the centre of the garden protects a stone statue. Opposite the main garden, the south façade possesses a second, more discrete entrance, framed by a stone arch similar to the main entrance. Higher up behind the house, there is a private wood that can be reached by a flight of steps framed by two columns.

In the center of Salon-de-Provence, surrounded by a park of about 2000 m², a 19th-century master house of 500 m² has been renovated into offices and apartments. Built at the turn of the 20th century, during the period when prosperity linked to the trade of oil and soap was creating a new local elite, the house reflects the architectural movement that saw the birth of villas and private hotels designed to showcase social success. Here, as is often the case in expanding neighborhoods, the architecture draws from an eclectic vocabulary inspired by the catalogs of the time, balancing classical rigor with selected ornaments to affirm status. The land of more than 2000 m² is composed of two parts. Below, the space is grassed and dotted with tall trees. Above, the house is surrounded by numerous plane trees at the foot of which gravel parking areas have been created. The Craponne canal runs alongside the plot and can easily be connected to the whole. Access is provided at this level through a gate, from a small road connected to one of the city’s main roads or by a gate located at the bottom in the grassy area. The imposing main building, raised over three levels with a rectangular plan, offers about 450 m² of living space. Its elevated ground floor is complemented by two outbuildings of about 30 m² each. A recent renovation has allowed for the reallocation of the entire property as a public establishment (ERP). The intervention was carried out with the aim of preserving the architectural integrity while meeting contemporary safety and accessibility requirements. The interior layout has been rethought to facilitate the modularity of spaces for the installation of offices, training rooms, and consultation rooms. At the same time, the thermal envelope has been improved, notably through the installation of a heating/cooling floor and the integration of double glazing in large-pane wooden joinery, to ensure comfort in all seasons.This description has been automatically translated from French.

A unique, centuries-old chateau and its terraced garden on the edge of a typical Provence village set in a regional nature park . A raised driveway bordered by hedges leads from the village to the estate. A wide wrought iron gate, framed by two masonry pilasters and topped by an interlaced decorative motif, marks the entrance to the property. The terrace in the upper part of the estate reveals a succession of buildings and the long eastern facade, as well magnificent views towards the valley in the distance. The scent of boxwood and roses wafts across the landscape, while the sound of trickling water can be heard in the moat below. Built in the 17th century and enlarged in the 18th century following the main stylistic principles of classical Provence architecture, the building was extensively altered in the 19th century with the addition of a corner tower and an aviary, giving it its current castle-like appearance. The various parts of the edifice, which have survived the centuries, thus present a unique appearance, somewhere between a bastide (Provence farmhouse) and a chateau. The complex comprises four different sections. Three of them have juxtaposed east-facing elevations with regular, symmetrical windows, while the fourth is set back behind its stone-paved courtyard and blue-painted wrought-iron gate and railings. The western facades have fewer and more discreet windows than the other elevations and are all aligned along a little-used village street to the rear of the buildings. The different materials used for the facades and roofs - coursed rubble masonry, brick, slate and terracotta - reflect the construction periods of the various buildings and extensions. The buildings are bordered by several terraced garden areas, benefiting from a water source in the village that is reputed to be inexhaustible. The upper level, at the foot of the château, comprises a rose garden with its pond to the south, a terrace with its water fountain and an impressive chestnut tree in the centre and, to the north, a formal French-style garden with its parterre of pruned box and a series of eleven vaulted ponds, fed by the spring and releasing the overflow of water at the bottom of the estate. A large field at the bottom of the estate provides a distant view of the valley overlooked by the chateau.