A MODERN-DAY FORTRESS IN PROVENÇE which is the work of a great architect, who, in particular, designed the Auroville international city in India, listed by UNESCO and by the Indian government, in which he built the famous Matrimandir. It was also this architect who, among other things, was behind the Grenoble towers built between 1963 and 1965 for which he received an international architecture award.
He spent many years rebuilding this fortress, which, more than being a castle, is a veritable “SITE”, drenched in light thanks to its outstanding situation at the top of one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, offering an outstanding 360° viewpoint.
The interior has been designed in an extremely modern style and offers all the most modern-day comforts. This Residence, of rare quality, comprises several intermediate levels, which explains why it is difficult to describe it. Plans are available from J.P.FOUGEIROL CONSEILS, the French agents, whose contact details are shown at the bottom of this page.
He spent many years rebuilding this fortress, which, more than being a castle, is a veritable “SITE”, drenched in light thanks to its outstanding situation at the top of one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, offering an outstanding 360° viewpoint.
The interior has been designed in an extremely modern style and offers all the most modern-day comforts. This Residence, of rare quality, comprises several intermediate levels, which explains why it is difficult to describe it. Plans are available from J.P.FOUGEIROL CONSEILS, the French agents, whose contact details are shown at the bottom of this page.
DESCRIPTION: After leaving the Place du Château and passing over the small bridge above a dried-out moat, we enter the building through a large, superb iron door:
Entrance hall: 20 m2, flat ceiling, stone and pebble mosaic floor. To the left of the entrance hall: 4 steps lead to a fully glazed metal structure comprising the following:
Office of 30 sq. metres with flat ceiling. Large bay window overlooking a courtyard-garden with flowerbeds, rockeries and visible rocks. Above the office is an artist’s workshop of 30 sq. metres with views on three sides from large bay windows. Air-conditioning, washbasin. This workshop overlooks a 20 sq. metre terrace on the eastern side. Stone floor slab. Note that these two rooms may easily be converted into bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom.
Entrance hall: 20 m2, flat ceiling, stone and pebble mosaic floor. To the left of the entrance hall: 4 steps lead to a fully glazed metal structure comprising the following:
Office of 30 sq. metres with flat ceiling. Large bay window overlooking a courtyard-garden with flowerbeds, rockeries and visible rocks. Above the office is an artist’s workshop of 30 sq. metres with views on three sides from large bay windows. Air-conditioning, washbasin. This workshop overlooks a 20 sq. metre terrace on the eastern side. Stone floor slab. Note that these two rooms may easily be converted into bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom.
To the right of the entrance hall there is a 20 sq. metre terrace, constructed of stone and pebble mosaic with a stone fountain. Following on from the entrance hall, there is a landing with several steps leading to:
THE MAIN SALON of 105 sq. metres with dressed stone floor slab and ceiling with intersecting ribs. A French window on the southern side opens out onto the afore-mentioned terrace. There is also a south-facing window; another facing west (towards the courtyard and interior garden) and two large east-facing bay windows. Suspended monumental fireplace - a genuine work of art, covered in mosaics by Charles Gianferrari.
THE MAIN SALON of 105 sq. metres with dressed stone floor slab and ceiling with intersecting ribs. A French window on the southern side opens out onto the afore-mentioned terrace. There is also a south-facing window; another facing west (towards the courtyard and interior garden) and two large east-facing bay windows. Suspended monumental fireplace - a genuine work of art, covered in mosaics by Charles Gianferrari.
To the left of the salon, 4 steps lead to the dining room of 25 sq. metres. 4 south-facing bay windows overlook the interior courtyard-garden. 4 north-facing bay windows overlook the swimming pool area.
The fully equipped kitchen, of 25 sq. metres, has a Sandstone floor, 2 north-facing bay windows overlooking the swimming pool and French windows opening out onto a 14 sq. metre, south & west facing terrace.
At the rear of the salon, behind the monumental fireplace, a hidden door, integrated into the stone mosaic covered wall, opens out onto a landing. This leads to a door to the swimming pool, a complete shower room (with WC) and a staircase leading to:
The Master Suite of 80 sq. metres, decorated in a very contemporary style, with a white painted concrete floor. The suite comprises the following: lounge area, 2 east-facing windows, integrated kitchenette, office area, bedroom area (with visible rock feature). 2 west-facing windows, 2 north-facing windows and a French window opening out on to a terrace and a hanging garden. Bathroom of approximately 10 sq. metres, comprising a round mosaic bath, bidet, WC, double washbasin with a porthole above opening out on to the swimming pool wall.
Below the Master Suite, there is a dressing room and gym of 15 sq. metres with west-facing window.
The Master Suite of 80 sq. metres, decorated in a very contemporary style, with a white painted concrete floor. The suite comprises the following: lounge area, 2 east-facing windows, integrated kitchenette, office area, bedroom area (with visible rock feature). 2 west-facing windows, 2 north-facing windows and a French window opening out on to a terrace and a hanging garden. Bathroom of approximately 10 sq. metres, comprising a round mosaic bath, bidet, WC, double washbasin with a porthole above opening out on to the swimming pool wall.
Below the Master Suite, there is a dressing room and gym of 15 sq. metres with west-facing window.
From the landing which leads to the Master Suite, a staircase leads to the lower part of the Residence, as follows:
The library of 20 sq. metres, with a beautiful rounded vault, carved out of the rock. From the library, a spiral stone staircase descends to a 16 sq. metre room with French window opening out on to a series of paved or grass covered terraces leading down to one of the village streets.
Following on from the library, there is a bedroom of 18 sq. metres, with rounded stone vault, carpeted floor, cupboards and east-facing window. Leading on from this bedroom, there is a staircase climbing back up to the entrance hall and opening out on to a large vaulted space of 15 sq. metres, with two windows, one south-facing, the other east-facing.
The library of 20 sq. metres, with a beautiful rounded vault, carved out of the rock. From the library, a spiral stone staircase descends to a 16 sq. metre room with French window opening out on to a series of paved or grass covered terraces leading down to one of the village streets.
Following on from the library, there is a bedroom of 18 sq. metres, with rounded stone vault, carpeted floor, cupboards and east-facing window. Leading on from this bedroom, there is a staircase climbing back up to the entrance hall and opening out on to a large vaulted space of 15 sq. metres, with two windows, one south-facing, the other east-facing.
Landing leading to a bedroom of 22 sq. metres, with carpeted floor, flat ceiling, cupboards, east-facing window.
Opposite is a bathroom with a round mosaic bath, double washbasin, bidet, WC, cupboards, wardrobe and east-facing window.
Guest Suite: Accessible from the interior courtyard and the small garden opposite the office. It comprises a 4 sq. metre landing leading to a bedroom of 17 sq. metres, part of which is carved into the rock. Carpeted floor. French windows open out to the exterior with access to the swimming pool. Wardrobe. WC.
Child’s bedroom of 6 sq. metres with a west-facing window. Shower room with a washbasin and shower carved into the rock.
From this suite’s landing, there is a metal staircase leads down to a 70 sq. metre vaulted space comprising a playroom, wine cellar, boiler room and plant room.
All these rooms open out on to a small courtyard leading to the moat.
Opposite is a bathroom with a round mosaic bath, double washbasin, bidet, WC, cupboards, wardrobe and east-facing window.
Guest Suite: Accessible from the interior courtyard and the small garden opposite the office. It comprises a 4 sq. metre landing leading to a bedroom of 17 sq. metres, part of which is carved into the rock. Carpeted floor. French windows open out to the exterior with access to the swimming pool. Wardrobe. WC.
Child’s bedroom of 6 sq. metres with a west-facing window. Shower room with a washbasin and shower carved into the rock.
From this suite’s landing, there is a metal staircase leads down to a 70 sq. metre vaulted space comprising a playroom, wine cellar, boiler room and plant room.
All these rooms open out on to a small courtyard leading to the moat.
The Swimming Pool area follows on from the dining room and which is one of the Residence’s most magical areas.
At the heart of the Castle, this area measures approximately 400 sq. metres, surrounded by walls and flanked by a half tower. The swimming pool is partly carved into the rock. All the floors, in the same way as the floors in the rest of the Castle, are covered with Espeille stone. There is also an extraordinary mosaic sundial by Charles Gianferrari.
From the swimming pool, a staircase leads below to a very large terrace below of approximately 50 sq. metres; also flanked by a half tower which offers outstanding views over the surrounding landscape.
At the heart of the Castle, this area measures approximately 400 sq. metres, surrounded by walls and flanked by a half tower. The swimming pool is partly carved into the rock. All the floors, in the same way as the floors in the rest of the Castle, are covered with Espeille stone. There is also an extraordinary mosaic sundial by Charles Gianferrari.
From the swimming pool, a staircase leads below to a very large terrace below of approximately 50 sq. metres; also flanked by a half tower which offers outstanding views over the surrounding landscape.
OBSERVATIONS: The whole is in a perfect state of repair and has all modern comforts:
Gas central heating. Solar heating for the swimming pool. Electronic security system, despite the fact that it is practically impossible to gain access to this Residence. This Fortress has maintained a relatively austere external appearance, however, once inside, you will be charmed by the light-filled rooms and the extraordinary views from each of the windows.
The property has a magical and completely private setting. The total surface area of the Residence, including its terraces and gardens, is approximately 3,400 sq. metres.
This property’s operating costs are very low, which is a great asset. Local taxes, the cost of which are given below, are very reasonable and the building does not require the presence of caretakers.
LOCAL TAXES:
Real property tax: 2,035.00 Euros.
Property tax: 572.00 Euros.
Total: 2,607.00 Euros.
Gas central heating. Solar heating for the swimming pool. Electronic security system, despite the fact that it is practically impossible to gain access to this Residence. This Fortress has maintained a relatively austere external appearance, however, once inside, you will be charmed by the light-filled rooms and the extraordinary views from each of the windows.
The property has a magical and completely private setting. The total surface area of the Residence, including its terraces and gardens, is approximately 3,400 sq. metres.
This property’s operating costs are very low, which is a great asset. Local taxes, the cost of which are given below, are very reasonable and the building does not require the presence of caretakers.
LOCAL TAXES:
Real property tax: 2,035.00 Euros.
Property tax: 572.00 Euros.
Total: 2,607.00 Euros.
Guide price: 4,500,000 Euros
For further information, please phone or email William Montgomery's office as follows:
+44 (0)28 4278 8666 / 8668
william.montgomery@sothebys.com
In association with:
Ste J.P. FOUGEIROL CONSEILS,
Côte Chaude,
Mirmande,
26270 Loriol,
FRANCE.
Tel. / Fax: 04 75 63 14 64
Mobile: 06 80 68 54 07
e-mail : jean-pierre.fougeirol@wanadoo.fr
For further information, please phone or email William Montgomery's office as follows:
+44 (0)28 4278 8666 / 8668
william.montgomery@sothebys.com
In association with:
Ste J.P. FOUGEIROL CONSEILS,
Côte Chaude,
Mirmande,
26270 Loriol,
FRANCE.
Tel. / Fax: 04 75 63 14 64
Mobile: 06 80 68 54 07
e-mail : jean-pierre.fougeirol@wanadoo.fr
