A 1950s house resembling a boat, with terraces and a garden, a 5-minute walk
from the beach, with views of the sea and the mountains in Le Pradet
from the beach, with views of the sea and the mountains in Le Pradet
Le Pradet,
VAR
provence-cote-dazur
83220
FR
Location
Le Pradet, a sought-after village in the south-west of the Var region, situated between Toulon and Hyères, boasts five beaches, a harbour, as well as hills where you can go hiking and enjoy sweeping views of the hinterland, or the coastal paths by the sea. The nearby Faron and Coudon mountains also offer activities to complement water sports, such as rock climbing. The house overlooks the harbour and the beach, and from there you can directly set off hiking into the Conservatoire du littoral nature reserve. Small shops are a 10-minute walk away, whilst supermarkets and the town centre are a 5-minute drive away. The train station is a 25-minute drive away, as is Toulon-Hyères Airport, and Marseille Airport is 1 hour 15 minutes away.
Description
Originally built as a simple cottage on the edge of the garrigue in the 1950s, the property was extended in the following decade to reach 140 m² of floor space across three levels, facing mainly north, east and west, which keeps it cool in summer. It is situated in a residential neighbourhood, sheltered from any overlooking neighbours. The plot, consisting of small terraced areas, has been optimised with numerous wooden terraces and intimate spaces covering nearly 450 m², offering varied views of the sea. The main facades, facing east and north, feature two square windows per level and are finished with smooth ivory-coloured render. The gable roof, covered in canal tiles, is edged with a double cornice. The house has been designed with continuity and fluidity between indoor and outdoor spaces in mind. The ground floor thus opens onto a veranda on the north side, on top of which a terrace has been created, whilst a second terrace extends at the same level, above a pergola, offering a sea view where you can watch the boats going by. To the east, a terrace near the kitchen is particularly suited to sunny breakfasts. Finally, a small terrace on the upper floor and adjoining the master bedroom overlooks the harbour. The house has been designed with a maritime theme, like a boat, with decor dominated by various types of wood, both inside and out, which bring warmth. This is blended with deep blue-tinted cladding, echoing the nearby Mediterranean. The most recent renovations were carried out within the last 20 years.
The house
The property is entered via a small gate from the street running alongside it, next to which is the garage door. The garage can accommodate one car and additional parking spaces are available along the road. A straight flight of stairs leads to the garden level, above which are the ground floor and first floor.
The garden-level floor
Entry is via the wooden terrace bordering the northern side, leading into a conservatory used as a dining room, with a shower room and toilet at one end. This glazed room, with its fine-plank parquet flooring, opens onto a large living room featuring a wooden bar, which used to be the cottage, with its thick stone walls and a polished concrete floor. This space can be used as a bedroom if required. In its centre, a straight wooden and metal staircase, in a contemporary and understated style, leads to the ground floor.
The ground floor
This level is accessible from the garden level via an external staircase on the sea side, which leads to two sliding glass doors. It is also possible to enter from the south-east, near the kitchen located there. The first of these windows opens onto a bedroom with a sea view and two-tone narrow-plank parquet flooring, followed by a double wardrobe, then a toilet area with a bidet and washbasin, and finally a bathroom with a shower and stone washbasin. Most of the walls and floors in these rooms are clad in the same wood. Two half-moon windows, framed in stone, provide views of the surrounding greenery. The second terrace door, framed by wooden posts connected by ropes, leads to a study with warm-toned ship deck parquet flooring and a black dividing border. A corridor leads to a bedroom, providing access to the double wardrobe, a toilet and the kitchen; the cladding on some walls and floors features the same wood used elsewhere in the house. The eastern part of the kitchen forms a small veranda bordered by an arched window; here, it opens via a sliding glass door onto a small outdoor space, and then, a few steps down, onto a terrace furnished as an open-air lounge and dining area, bordered by a modest outbuilding.
The upstairs
From the small study, a straight staircase with alternating light and dark wooden steps, but without risers, leads to the attic level. To the west there is a large bedroom with a skylight and a door leading to a terrace connected to the ground floor terrace by a metal spiral staircase. The upper floor includes a mezzanine office area, lit by two roof windows and a bull’s-eye window offering views of the hills. On this level, the floors are covered with narrow-plank parquet and the ceilings feature exposed rough-sawn timber beams.
The garden and terraces
Spanning approximately 380 m², the terraced garden has been remarkably well optimised with numerous areas to relax in, whether in the shade or the sun. It is planted with local shrubs, such as oleanders and yuccas, as well as a large pine tree that enhances the sea view. It is bordered by various terraces, all clad in exotic wood, with the exception of small sections of stone or polished concrete. On the garden level, on the sea side, in the north-western part of the property, rounded posts from a former pergola mark out a terrace covered in wood, with blue-tinted, polished concrete floor. Near the veranda, a stone washbasin adds a touch of freshness to the space with its built-in bench. Adjacent to the covered terrace, a slightly sunken relaxation area is covered in artificial grass, fitted with built-in seating with wooden seats and featuring an olive tree planted in its centre. To the east, four small terraces run from north to south: the lower level features a metal shelter and a wooden shed; the one above it could be used for a small pool; on the third terraced level, a seven-person hot tub is surrounded by a wooden deck; from there, steps lead to the final area, finished in polished concrete, where one can dine in a cosy atmosphere at a long table with built-in benches, close to the kitchen. At the southern end, there is a large cupboard and a closed-off room, which can be used as a summer kitchen, as well as a final terrace level, at the top of the staircase leading to the kitchen’s glass door. There, a gate provides direct access to the pine forest of the Conservatoire du littoral, for a stroll to the cliff overlooking the sea, or into the hills.
Our opinion
A peaceful villa by the sea with both outdoor and indoor spaces optimised with a rare sense of spatial intelligence, and a distinctive style. All levels can be accessed independently via internal or external staircases, ensuring smooth flow of movement and a very pleasant layout. The maritime-inspired design, featuring various types of wood and an omnipresent deep blue, creates a warm atmosphere and gives the property character. Whether you prefer shade or sun, you’ll find your perfect spot amongst the terraces and other secluded corners of the garden. Should you wish to venture further, the path leading up the hill offers a welcome escape. From swimming to walks along the coastal path or evenings in the harbour’s restaurants, the location caters to a multitude of desires, free from any worries, as the house, in excellent condition, requires very little maintenance.
Reference 634049
| Land registry surface area | 445 m² |
| Main building floor area | 140 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 50 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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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.
