A former 18th-century farm and its outbuildings, on
a 250-hectare estate, with a river and a pond, near Brignoles
a 250-hectare estate, with a river and a pond, near Brignoles
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume,
VAR
provence-cote-dazur
83470
FR
Location
In the middle of the Var department, the property is located a couple of kilometres from a winegrowing village typical of this inland Mediterranean region, not far from Brignoles, a subprefecture, which contains all administrative, commercial and medical services. Surrounded by nature, the dwelling and its outbuildings overlook a landscape blanketed in vineyards, which is bordered in the distance by the Saint-Baume and Maures mountain ranges.
In addition, the village centre is accessible via bicycle, Brignoles is about fifteen minutes away by car and the Mediterranean coast, its beaches and the high-speed rail stations in Toulon and Aix-en-Provence are all a one-hour drive away, while the Marseille-Marignane airport is accessible in one hour and fifteen minutes.
Description
From a B road, a lane winds its way to the property’s entrance, indicated by a wide automatic wrought-iron double-leaf gate. From here, a tarmacked drive, about one kilometre long and bordered by pine trees, gently ascends to the dwelling, in front of which extends a cobblestone courtyard, shaded by multi-century plane trees.
Despite several successive extensions, the former farm from the late 18th century still exudes an overall cohesive and charming appearance, while the most recent addition, inspired by Italian architecture, dates back to the early part of this century. Currently featuring a floor area of approximately 750 m², the three-storey dwelling has been split into two distinct accommodations, separated by a perpendicular porch.
As for their exteriors, coated in orange-yellow plaster and cadenced by wide windows safeguarded by celadon green louvred shutters, they are topped with either barrel tile gable or hipped roofs, while, to the north of the property, several outbuildings, more recent, include areas used for agricultural or winemaking activities, machine rooms, as well as accommodations for the property’s personnel. Continuing on towards the south, the terraced grounds feature a flower garden, ponds, a swimming pool and its wide sunny patio, a pool house, a dovecote as well as an orangery; the whole immersed in luxuriant vegetation.
In addition, further to the east, a meticulously maintained vegetable garden, abuts two wrought-iron greenhouses, as well as areas reserved for flowers and other fruit trees. Extending over more than 250 hectares in all, the estate is bordered by a river, which feeds into a pond, and boasts a landscape alternating between mountains and small valleys.
Despite several successive extensions, the former farm from the late 18th century still exudes an overall cohesive and charming appearance, while the most recent addition, inspired by Italian architecture, dates back to the early part of this century. Currently featuring a floor area of approximately 750 m², the three-storey dwelling has been split into two distinct accommodations, separated by a perpendicular porch.
As for their exteriors, coated in orange-yellow plaster and cadenced by wide windows safeguarded by celadon green louvred shutters, they are topped with either barrel tile gable or hipped roofs, while, to the north of the property, several outbuildings, more recent, include areas used for agricultural or winemaking activities, machine rooms, as well as accommodations for the property’s personnel. Continuing on towards the south, the terraced grounds feature a flower garden, ponds, a swimming pool and its wide sunny patio, a pool house, a dovecote as well as an orangery; the whole immersed in luxuriant vegetation.
In addition, further to the east, a meticulously maintained vegetable garden, abuts two wrought-iron greenhouses, as well as areas reserved for flowers and other fruit trees. Extending over more than 250 hectares in all, the estate is bordered by a river, which feeds into a pond, and boasts a landscape alternating between mountains and small valleys.
The Main Dwelling
The south wing
With a floor area of approximately 500 m², this wing constitutes the property’s main dwelling. On the garden level, its front door opens on to several machine and utility rooms: on one side is a double garage and a wine cellar, while, on the other, is a laundry room, a furnace room, a second garage in the back of which is a lift, as well as a guest lavatory. A wide staircase, with terracotta tile steps and wooden nosing, leads to the first floor where an immense and sunny living room, with approximately 40 m² and a fireplace, occupies its southern end and opens on to a patio – providing enchanting views of the surrounding vineyards and hillsides – via a wide picture window and glass double doors.
Along the main façade, a series of adjacent rooms include a former kitchen and its loggia, a small sitting room, a large kitchen bathed in light by a skylight, as well as a bedroom with a balcony and a shower room. As for the small-paned windows, rectilinear or arched, they diffuse a gentle light throughout the dwelling, while, directly opposite the large living room, a dining room with a fireplace, facing west, provides access, in the back, to a bedroom with a shower room and a lavatory, a screening room of nearly 30 m², as well as a second lift to the upstairs floor.
Accessible via the main staircase or a service staircase, the last level, with hardwood floors, includes, in its southern section, an immense parental suite with its own wardrobe, shower room and two studies. The bedroom and one of the studies open on to a wide covered balcony, safeguarded by a wrought-iron guardrail, whereas, further on, two more bedrooms each feature a private shower room. If that wasn’t enough, the dwelling also boasts an indoor swimming pool, 10 metres long, a sauna and a steam room, surrounded by an exotic wood deck, located in a sunny room with wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows.
The north wing
Spanning approximately 160 m² over three storeys, this wing’s garden level, which abuts an immense cellar, features a living room, a dining room, a kitchen and a laundry room, all facing east and enjoying dazzling morning light. As for the first floor, it includes three bedrooms facing east, a smaller one looking northwards, as well as a shower room and a lavatory, while, the second floor contains two bedrooms, under the eaves, illuminated by skylights, and two shower rooms.
The Caretaker's Accommodations
Located northeast from the main building, it spans the entire first floor of one of the outbuildings. With a floor area of approximately 128 m², it features a living room, a conservatory facing south, four bedrooms, a shower room and a separate lavatory.
The Outbuildings
Located to the north of the dwelling, they are made up of three buildings grouped around an immense flat area. The one furthest to the north, elongated in shape, contains a succession of functional spaces: storage areas, various sheds, a furnace room, a chicken coop, a rabbit hutch and a grain silo.
Next, an immense agricultural storage building, with more than 200 m² and a soaring floor-to-ceiling height, houses the rolling stock for the vineyard’s upkeep, while the third building, rather square in shape, includes, on the ground floor, a meeting room, an office, as well as garages and a second agricultural storage building. Last, but not least, the upstairs floor is occupied by the caretaker’s accommodations, which enjoy unobstructed views of the entire estate.
The Outdoor Spaces
Past the vegetable patch and ornamental garden, the property extends over more than 250 hectares. Alternating between vineyards, under a land tenancy agreement – approximately twenty hectares of which have access to water – woods, oak and truffle oak forests, poplar groves, cedars as well as fruit-bearing olive trees, and nestled amidst mountains and small valleys, this immense property, both agricultural and landscaped, provides a mosaic of changing views, where distant ridgelines dialogue with expanses of farmland, while on the northern side of the estate, a river and its pond are shaded by stately poplar trees.
Our opinion
Thanks to its discreet location and restoration carried out with respect and restraint, this property, immersed in peace and quiet, is protected from all outside commotion and, yet, not cut off from the world itself. In addition, its sizeable proportions, outbuildings and customised amenities strike the right balance between bucolic charm and contemporary comforts, while still allowing the surrounding nature to take centre stage.
As for the property, rare in terms of its size and breadth, it boasts a wide variety of vegetation, enchanting landscapes and vast horizons, which create an area sheltered from all noise-related or visual nuisances. Whether turned into a family residence, an event space or an agricultural or winemaking estate, this property provides an extensive range of possibilities for its future occupants.
Reference 874013
| Land registry surface area | 258 ha 65 a 83 ca |
| Main building floor area | 750 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 11 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 611 m² |
| including refurbished area | 128 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.
