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81,803 sq ftof living space with seaview in 24.7 acres between Hyères and Cap Bénat
Location
Between Hyères and Cap Bénat, 41 km (26 miles) from Saint Tropez, 30 minutes from Toulon’s TGV train station and 15 minutes from Toulon Hyères airport, near to the Presidential Brégançon fort and the old Provencal village of Bormes-les-Mimosas, less than 5 minutes from the shops and 700 m (766 yards) from the beach.
In a dominant position with a view over the Porquerolles and Port Cros islands.
Description
This hillside property with its panoramic view over the sea comprises 4 different style buildings, all nestling in an unspoilt setting.
The oldest, dating from 1855, was built by Horace Vernet (painter of battles and official painter for Louis Philippe and Napoleon III) on the ruins of a former Benedictine monastery. It was an astonishing castle, combining several medieval styles of architecture.
In 1863, a new owner, Victor Roux, a rich industrialist from Marseilles, added two wings, a keep and a fabulous open-air terrace, one of the first on the Côte d’Azur. He had the facades embellished with exquisite tin-glazed earthware decorations and extraordinary frescoes showing mythological scenes. The castle, which incorporated a chapel, nestled in a luxuriant natural setting with exotic species, took on an “Andalusian” appearance with its Spanish American-North African style architecture; a mixture of the east and the west. Its facades are of brick and Bormes stone.
In 1914 the First World War broke out, sealing the moth-balling of this property. The castle currently spans approx. 1,000 m² (10,764 sq ft) of living space awaiting renovation.
The basement comprises 4 rooms, the ground floor 14 rooms, the 1st floor 12 rooms, the 2nd floor 4 rooms and the 3rd includes a 54 m² (581 sq ft) terrace with a seaview.
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The second and largest building was built overlooking the castle, and thus has a view that is even more magical. Built as a stronghold in the 1930’s, it is an extremely vast Bormes stone residence, with a triple overhanging cornice. Its dominant lookout situation and its astonishing appearance are linked to its initial vocation, that of espionage.
Renovated for hosting seminars, it is equipped with meeting rooms, amphitheatres, a cafeteria and kitchens and spans a surface area of approx. 4,000 m² (43,054 sq ft) which is in need of some attention.
A square building with a very large internal patio planted with immense pine trees is adjoined to the south-east of the fortress.
The top floor comprises a terrace surrounding the patio; an ideal spot for watching the sun set over the sea.
This floor also includes a large meeting room leading on to a long covered balcony featuring columns that also has a sea view.
The third building is set to the south-east of the patio. This two-storey house spans approx. 1,600 m² (17,221 sq ft), with 17 facade windows. The ground floor comprises 12 rooms and each of the floors has 21 rooms.
The last of the buildings is situated to the west of the property, and comprises 2 parts side-by-side, the first with 5 facade windows and one storey, and the second with 4 facade windows and 2 stories. The ground floor includes 8 rooms, the 1st floor 5 rooms and the 2nd 4 rooms, making a total of approx. 600 m² (6,458 sq ft). It is currently used for living accommodation and seminars.
Parklands of approx. 10 ha (24.7 acres) adjoin the Maures National Forest.
The southern part comprises buildings in a forest of pine trees with palm trees and exotic shrubs and bushes. There is no “cos résiduel” (unused French plot ratio), the rest of the land comprising a pine tree forest on the hillside in a natural green belt coastal area.
The parklands include a tennis court and a fitness trail, and the hill has an area with a panoramic view point.
Our opinion
This unique and unusual property is situated in a highly sought-after setting on the Côte d’Azur, near to vineyards and the sea, with a stunning view.
The buildings, although awaiting renovation works, have great potential as regards a tourist residence, a hotel and catering and/or a function project.
Exclusive sale
Price : Contact us
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 2925FP
| Land registry surface area | 10 ha/24.7 acres |
| Main building surface area | 7602m2/81 792 sq ft |
Regional representative
Fabienne Pillard +33 (0)6 15 05 91 82
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.
