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Former silkworm nursery on the outskirts of a village near to Salon-de-Provence
Location
In the Costes mountains, in an 11 century old village, near to the Luberon and the Alpilles mountains, 10 minutes from Salon-de-Provence.
35 minutes from Aix-en-Provence TGV train station and Marseille airport, 40 minutes from Avignon. Just 10 minutes from the motorway and 5 from the shops.
Description
On one side of this exposed stone, former silkworm nursery is the village and on the other is pine forest. Spanning approx. 375 m² (4,036 sq ft), this 16th century property is in a peaceful setting without being isolated and has been modified over the years. It comprises 2 adjoining buildings that form an L-shape but do not communicate. The property faces a private, inner garden, enclosed by high stone walls and filled with flowers, cypress, pine and mulberry plane trees. Several arbours covered with vines or Virginia creeper provide a pleasant feeling of coolness and a fountain the sensation. A cellar is entered from the courtyard and a stone cabin houses tools.
The perimeter wall on the road and orchard side features the main entrance with a stone arch, and a porch way making it possible to put a car under a canopy. The date 1831 is engraved in the stone.
The other part of the garden includes the swimming pool (12mx5m / 39.4ftx16.4ft) area with a stone shelter, from where there is an unobstructed view over the Costes mountains. The hill with its pine forest and truffle-growing oak trees can be directly accessed.
A former thrashing floor surrounded by low dry stone walls can still be seen, and fruit trees abound.
The main, exposed stone building spans two stories and does not have evenly-spaced windows. A small lean-to adjoins the facade in the inner courtyard, and the visible chimney stack runs up the outside wall and protrudes from the roof. Worthy of note is the triple tile frieze just under the gable roof.
The main house can be divided into 2 flats, and the former, single-storey service quarters forms a third one.
The large house is entered from the courtyard via an arched door which leads into a vaulted 45 m² (484 sq ft), exposed stone living room with a 3 m (9.8 ft) high ceiling. In a corner, a small kitchen was carved out of the rock as were several alcoves. A deep fireplace was asymmetrically created in the wall, thus proving its authenticity. Another small vaulted room between the floors has no windows. The bottom of the terracotta and wood stairway leads upstairs from an arched opening. On the 1st floor, from which it is possible to access the swimming pool, are 2 bedrooms, a dressing room and a living room with an American-style kitchen.
The 2nd floor comprises a large lounge with a wood stove, where the silkworms were stored when it was run as a silkworm nursery, a dining room opening into a kitchen with masonry cupboards and a bedroom with a bathroom.
Most of the floors in the 3 flats are covered with old tiles, half of the walls are of exposed stone and all the ceilings have beams, some of which are formed from planks with plaster troughs. Some of the doors and windows are topped with wooden lintels.
The last flat is all on a level with the inner courtyard with a small terrace sheltered by an arbour.
It comprises a kitchen with an old bread oven, 3 adjoining rooms including one with a fireplace, a bathroom and a shower room.
Our opinion
This 4 century old house has a soul. Its layout can be reorganised for large families or for guests. The inner garden is separate from the swimming pool area, enabling everyone to have their own tranquil spot. It is possible to go for walks in the hills from the small, old, peaceful village. Shops are 5 minutes away, but a baker comes every morning in his van to deliver bread to the inhabitants.
1 165 000 €
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.
Reference 3231FP
| Land registry surface area | 2541m² |
| Main building surface area | 375 m² (4,036 sq ft) |
| Outbuilding surface area | 60m² (645 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.
