A large 18th-century Provencal country house, with its gardens and sea views, in the middle of the world's perfume capital - ref 301957
A large 18th-century Provencal country house, with its gardens and sea views, in the middle of the world's perfume capital.
The city of Grasse no longer needs an introduction. As the world capital of perfume since the 17th century and the fifth largest town in terms of population in the Alpes-Maritimes department, it enjoys an extremely favourable microclimate for growing plants with scented flowers. Having developed around this industry, the town has passed down a large number of breath-taking properties to the 21st century, which have resisted the heavy urban consolidation of the past decades, and has also been recognised as both a "Floral Town and Village" as well as a "Town and Region of Art and History". A gateway to the inland region via the famous Route Napoleon located less than one hour from the Nice airport, the city provides a pleasant living environment thanks to its mild climate and its proximity to nature as well as a its considerable drawing power for tourists throughout the year.
A few minutes from the historical downtown area of Grasse, the property is made up of a group of buildings surrounded by vegetation, in the middle of the city, while, perched halfway up the hillside, it enjoys unobstructed panoramic views of the sea and the neighbouring countryside.
Situated on a plot of land of more than 4,000 m² and nestled within a rolling landscape, it is made up of a long rectangular main building, as well as a caretaker's cottage. The first is a three-storey construction typical of the 18th century, which was most likely extended lengthwise later on, judging how its roof changes in height almost at its centre, while the second building, located at the property's entrance, is more modest in size, of similar craftsmanship and from the same period as the main dwelling. Featuring solid constructions, with thick local stone walls covered in light-colour plaster, rectilinear windows placed densely and symmetrically throughout, ashlar stone window/door surrounds or brick window ledges, as well as barrel tile gable roofs, the property also includes, in front of the main dwelling and facing mostly south, a flat swath of lawn with a swimming pool as well as a terraced garden flourishing with vegetation.
The Main DwellingThe symmetrical placement of its windows and the understated nature of its large façade only provide glimpses of its interior spaces, which all enjoy breath-taking views and dazzling light. With original ashlar stone window/door surrounds on the ground floor, the windows on the first floor are slightly arched with brick window ledges, just like the second floor, where the windows are once again rectangular in shape.
As for its large or small-paned windows, depending on the floor, they are safeguarded by painted solid wooden shutters on the first floor and louvred shutters painted the same shade of blue on the second, where wrought-iron guardrails, also painted, provide an extra layer of protection. Lastly, a single genoise cornice highlights the building's barrel tile roof, typical of the region.
The garden-level floor
Originally featuring utility rooms or workshops due to its accessibility, this floor, level with the garden, is currently made up of rooms with a wide variety of uses, such as a large game room, an entrance hall, a furnace room, a storeroom, a cellar and a lavatory. These rooms, which give directly on to the swimming pool and garden, are therefore ideal for a seasonal use and, if necessary, could be developed further depending on the building's intended purpose.
As for the front door, located on the western side of its southern façade, it is a testimony to the era in which it was constructed thanks to its hobnailed wood panels, wrought-iron doorknocker, arched fanlight and understated ashlar stone frame.
The first floor
Although accessible via ...
