A small 19th-century farmhouse, now enlarged, with 1.7-ha grounds dotted with pines and olives, nestled in the Var hillsides, near the Verdon Gorge -
A small 19th-century farmhouse, now enlarged, with 1.7-ha grounds dotted with pines and olives, nestled in the Var hillsides, near the Verdon Gorge.
Sandwiched between the sea and mountains in the Provence verte region, the property is located along the road that connects Aups to Tourtour, two villages characteristic of the Haut-Var area, the latter of which alternates between hillside villages, pine forests and sun-drenched landscapes. Aups, renowned for its truffle market, the black gold of the Var's rich soil, includes shops, schools and services, whereas Tourtour charms one and all thanks to its narrow medieval streets and inherent authenticity.
As for the gently rolling topography, it opens on to a panorama of garrigue-blanketed hillsides, while the area itself is quite accessible: Aups is 1.5 hours from the Aix high-speed rail station, 45 minutes from the Arcs-Draguignan train station, 1.5 hours from the Nice airport, less than one hour from the Var's coastline and 20 minutes from Saint-Croix Lake.
Less than five minutes from the village via a B road, the entirely enclosed property is accessible thanks to a wrought-iron gate framed on either side by walls, while, on its northern border, the building's main structure creates a balanced composition featuring square volumes topped with pediments.
A small ancient farmhouse from 1808, it was renovated and extended in 2000 with a similarly inspired contemporary wing for a total inhabitable floor area of approximately 350 m². Facing south and overlooking 1.7-hectare grounds planted with pines, olives and other Mediterranean varietals, the dwelling's two different sections, connected via an immense dual-aspect ground-floor room, convey the feeling of an impressive dwelling, featuring white lime-plaster exteriors as well as symmetrical windows safeguarded by grey shutters.
With ornate wrought-iron guardrails protecting the dwelling's upstairs' windows, the whole is topped with elegant gable roofs, which are, in turn, highlighted by a double genoise cornice, while immense gravel patios skirt its southern, western and northern exteriors. As for the one to the south, with its two plane trees, it provides a panorama of garrigue-blanketed hillsides and leads, via a stone staircase, to a lane bordered by cypresses and hedges. The latter provides access to a fountain, while the patio on the western side of the house creates an al-fresco dining area under the shade of a bicentenary tree.
In addition, behind the dwelling and to the north, a car park for several vehicles is located next to a caretaker's cottage, whereas, beyond that extend terraced fields of olive trees, a pine forest to the east as well as a discreet masonry swimming pool, set back from the house and sheltered from view thanks to low stone walls and hedges.
The Dwelling
The ground floor
Accessible from its western façade, the front door opens on to an immense kitchen-dining room of approximately 51 m², which represents a warm and friendly space cadenced by two double archways that visually distinguish its culinary functions without closing them off completely from the rest of the dwelling.
As for its visible ceiling beams, painted white, they accentuate the dazzling sunlight filtering through its windows to the west and north, while this central space provides access to a study facing the southern patio, as well as a large dual-aspect living room with a fireplace. Bathed in light thanks to two wide picture windows, this room acts as a link between the dwelling's two different sections, whereas the sloping ceiling, highlighted with white ceiling beams, emphasises this undeniable feeling of space.
Continuing on from here is a second living room, separated by glass bookshelves, as well as a ground-floor bedroom with a shower room, facing both south and west, while large stone floor tiles can ...
