A 19th-century Provence country house, with a swimming pool and separate annexes,
in grounds 15 minutes from Cassis, in the countryside near Marseille
Marseille, BOUCHES-DU-RHONE provence-cote-dazur 13011 FR

Location

In the east of Marseille, the road that leads to Aubagne winds its way past the feet of green hills reminiscent of Pagnol’s stories. This manor house, which was erected in 1880, stands in such picturesque countryside, dominating the Huveaune Valley, 20 minutes from Marseille city-centre and its Vieux-Port harbour, 35 minutes away from the Marseille-Provence international airport or Saint-Charles railway station and 15 minutes from Cassis.
At the time the residence was built, the Canal de Marseille had boosted farming in landscape that was renowned for its early vegetables, olive oil and vines. The canal was built between 1839 and 1854 on the edge of the Calanques national park, its main section winds for 84 kilometres through Provence and is today a popular place for a stroll.

Description

The property is made up of two buildings standing on a small hill at the foot of the Garlaban range.
This majestic, south-facing, 19th-century country house boasts around 460 m² of living space, with ten bedrooms spread over three levels and is set away from the main road. It is made of ashlar as well as ochre-coloured lime-rendered rubble stone and stands at the rear of is plot of land, overlooking wooded grounds. The square main section, with tree vertical rows of openings, is framed by two slightly protruding wings. Several sober decorative elements punctuate the facades, such as corner pilasters, dividing lines, moulded window surrounds and stringcourses, all beneath a hipped roof made of barrel tiles, underlined by a triple génoise cornice. Lastly, the rectangular, symmetrically laid out, large-paned, double glazed, imitation wood aluminium framed windows, topped with glazed fanlight windows on the garden level, are fitted with green-painted louvred shutters.
The main dwelling is flanked to the east by a more modestly sized and recently constructed building made up of several volumes. It boasts a total surface of approximately 650 m², with rendered elevations, rectangular windows and roofs made of barrel tiles or interlocking tiles. Their main facades of the two buildings are a several metres apart since the country house stands further forward in relation to the outbuildings, where four additional dwellings have been created.
They are surrounded by grounds of more than 1.5 hectares and the main residence boasts a vast, shaded, gravelled patio, next to which there is a swimming pool, while there is parking for several vehicles in different parts of the property.

The country house


The garden-level floor
An 18th-century sculpted wooden door opens from the north side into a vast entrance hall, which sets the tone for the house: sober wood panelling on the walls, bright red hexagonal terracotta floor tiles and ceiling heights of around 4 metres. The hall leads to the south to three reception rooms interconnected by large, wooden, double-leaf doors: a dining room with a very finely crafted white marble fireplace and a delicately decorated ceiling; a lounge boasting 19th-century wall paper designed and produced by upholsterer Jules Desfossés; and, lastly, a small lounge fitted with a sculpted wooden fireplace originating from a townhouse in Marseille.
From the entrance hall, a corridor leads, to the east, to a bedroom and a shower room with a lavatory, as well as a boiler room. On the western side, there is a kitchen, another shower room with a lavatory and an office, which could be transformed into an extra bedroom.
A straight staircase with a wrought iron guard-rail, terracotta tiled steps and wooden bullnoses climbs up to the upper levels.

The first floor
At the top of the stairs, the landing leads to two large south-facing bedrooms with tall windows benefiting from the panoramic view of the wooded countryside that the house enjoys.
To the east, a corridor leads to a vast storeroom, two bedrooms, two tiled shower rooms and a lavatory.
To the west, the corridor leads to two bedrooms a shower room with a lavatory and a kitchen, all of which form a small apartment.
The bedrooms are paved with typically Provence style terracotta tiles and some even boast light-coloured marble fireplaces.
The second floor
This level has been laid out like an independent apartment, made up of a lounge with a light-coloured fireplace, two bedrooms, a kitchen, a shower room and a lavatory. Also, beneath the rafters, situated symmetrically to the east and west, there are two lofts.
On this level, there is terracotta tiled flooring throughout, covered by carpeting in certain places.

The outbuildings

Each of the four apartments in the annex building includes a lounge, kitchen, shower room or bathroom and one to four bedrooms depending on the apartment, all of which are south facing. They are functionally equipped and the decoration, which dates back to the 1990s, could be updated, depending on the purpose for which they will be used.
There is also a large, modern, almost 60-m² meeting room and a vaulted cellar.

The grounds

The country house overlooks a gravelled patio in the shade of plane trees and, at its southwest corner, a round-shaped swimming pool with stone decking. This part of the property in turn overlooks a wooded plot including Scots pine, cedar, bay, rockrose and globularia trees, as well as trees, shrubs and flowers that are typical of the Mediterranean garrigue landscape: thyme, rosemary and other aromatic plants that are drought resistant.
There is ample parking space for several vehicles at the entrance to the property and along the driveway leading to the house.

Our opinion

This country house boasts an exceptional setting in a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Marseille that is renowned for its quality of life and lush, green vegetation. It enjoys peace and quiet but is near to the public transport and road networks, making it easy to reach the centres of Marseille, Aubagne or Cassis. The view takes in a panorama stretching from east to west over the surrounding countryside. Horse-riding, hiking or cycling enthusiasts will find plenty to satisfy their passion in the area.
Though the house has retained the character and sophisticated standing of the period in which it was built, with terracotta tiled floors and wood panelling as well as painted ceilings, some modernisation work could be envisaged here and there according to taste. This property is well-suited to a holiday let activity or for accommodating a large family, as well as passing guests.

2 580 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense


See the fee rates

Reference 892783

Land registry surface area 1 ha 50 a 48 ca
Main building floor area 455 m²
Number of bedrooms +20
Outbuildings floor area 650 m²
including refurbished area 650 m²

French Energy Performance Diagnosis


Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr

Consultant

Marie-Hélène Wisdorff +33 1 42 84 80 85

contact

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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.

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