A complex of farmhouses surrounded by vineyards in Cotignac,
one of the most beautiful villages in France
one of the most beautiful villages in France
Cotignac,
VAR
provence-cote-dazur
83570
FR
Location
Nestled in the heart of green Provence, the village of Cotignac, founded in the 11th century at the foot of an imposing tuffeau cliff originally sculpted by the passage of water, has just been awarded the "Most Beautiful Village in France" label. At the turn of steep alleyways, seventeen fountains, the remains of oil presses, the 15th century bell tower and troglodyte houses dug into the rock by the ancestors await the curious visitors. At the top of the rock, two Saracen towers watch over the plain. From there, a 5-minute drive from Cotignac, a small track turning off the road leads through the vineyards to the entrance of the property.
It takes one hour to drive to Aix-en-Provence, 1h30 to Nice and 1h10 to Hyères. The Sainte-Croix lake can be reached in 45 minutes, the beaches of the Var coastline in just over an hour and the nearest ski resorts in just over 2 hours.
Description
The building complex comprises four houses, laid out around various courtyards and summer terraces which both connect and separate the different units. This original layout contributes to the uniqueness of the ensemble, to the degree of independence of the various housing units and to the overall fluidity of the circulation.
Probably dating from the 17th century, all the buildings are of stone. Each house or cottage has its own stone staircase. Two entrances on two different levels provide access: to the ground floor on the north side and to the first floor on the south side via an external flight of stairs that leads to a small terrace overlooking the garden. The walls are covered with Virginia creeper; the openings are mostly straight, sometimes arched, with small-paned wooden doors or windows, and the roofs are single-pitched with monk-and-nun tiles.
The garden extends below down to the swimming pool. The panoramic view stretches to the vineyards and the hills in the distance.
Probably dating from the 17th century, all the buildings are of stone. Each house or cottage has its own stone staircase. Two entrances on two different levels provide access: to the ground floor on the north side and to the first floor on the south side via an external flight of stairs that leads to a small terrace overlooking the garden. The walls are covered with Virginia creeper; the openings are mostly straight, sometimes arched, with small-paned wooden doors or windows, and the roofs are single-pitched with monk-and-nun tiles.
The garden extends below down to the swimming pool. The panoramic view stretches to the vineyards and the hills in the distance.
The main house
The ground floor
On the north side is a sitting room with a large fireplace decorated with coloured ceramic tiles topped with thick wooden lintels. The floor is laid with large Provençal terracotta tiles. On the south side, this floor includes workshops, a laundry room and the entrance to the building under a small porch.
The first floor
The terrace, as well as the internal staircase that starts next to the entrance, leads to a dining room with a large, sober fireplace. On either side of this space are a sitting room and a kitchen equipped for gourmet cooking. The floor is laid with flagstones. An arched door opens onto a corridor which leads to a shower room with toilet on one side and a room with stonework basins on the other. The flooring is grey cement tiles. Two closets are located on either side before entering the upstairs bedroom at the end of the corridor. All these living spaces have been designed and decorated to ensure a warm atmosphere.
The second floor
A Provençal terracotta staircase with wooden nosing leads from the dining room to the landing, which serves a large bedroom with shower room and toilet. It connects to a very large room to be refurbished, which has an independent entrance.
The studio flat
To the north of the main building, a stone staircase leads to the smallest living unit in the hamlet. A large room with a fireplace and terracotta-tiled floor houses the bedroom and a kitchen area cleverly fitted out to make the most of the space. The shower room with toilet, all in waxed concrete, combines a Provençal atmosphere with a more contemporary touch. Finally, a roof terrace offers a bird's eye view over the vineyards.
The little tower cottage
Above a courtyard, accessed via a separate stone staircase, are a living room with fireplace and a shower room with toilet adorned with Salernes tiles, typical of the region. On the second floor, a bedroom with a stonework cupboard opens onto a summer terrace under the roof of the turret. The floor is laid with Provençal tiles. The ensemble has been carefully thought-out; the unobstructed view overlooks the distant countryside.
On the ground floor, accessed via a separate entrance from the courtyard, a small kitchen with cement tiles and waxed concrete flooring blends styles and periods.
The small house
In the last cottage, a stone staircase leads to a small living room with a fireplace. On the second floor, a bedroom and a shower room with toilet feature a simple Mediterranean-style decor. Finally, on the courtyard level, a door leads to a separate kitchen. A stone sink, stonework cupboards and cement tiles lend this room a southern atmosphere.
The garden
The lawn slopes gently down to the swimming pool of about 10 x 3.5 m. The sunny garden is planted with various Mediterranean species: plane mulberry, cypress, Provence cane, laurel, oleander, palm, lavender and rosemary.
A well provides the water for irrigation.
At the foot of the main house, under a pergola, a warmly furnished living room and a fully equipped summer kitchen are the perfect place to enjoy mild summer evenings.
Our opinion
Once inhabited by a local painter, this charming hamlet has kept a peaceful soul, imbued with a soft, warm atmosphere. Renovation and decoration have been carried out with utmost taste, subtly combining old features with modern comforts. Provençal floor tiles and old stones blend harmoniously with waxed concrete and masonry elements.
The unique configuration offers each of the houses a pleasant living environment in both summer and winter, outdoors thanks to the shaded terraces with different aspects, and indoors thanks to the elegant layout and contrasting volumes, which convey a sense of space and privacy. Set in the middle of vineyards, this property is a fine example of preserved Provençal heritage, architecture and viticulture combined.
1 350 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 424172
| Land registry surface area | 2235 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 230 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 120 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 120 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.
