A fully renovated flat, of approximately 170 m², in an 18th-century private mansion, on the Place Crillon in Avignon - ref 471019
A fully renovated flat, of approximately 170 m², in an 18th-century private mansion, on the Place Crillon in Avignon.
Built on the southern side of one of the most famous squares in the Papal City, the private mansion in which the flat is located was built at the same time as Avignon's first theatre, far before this city became the global capital of dramaturgy.
Closed off to the north by the classical façade of one of the city's oldest luxury hotels, the Place Crillon is also within close proximity to the banks of the Rhone River, located on the other side of the ramparts that border the square on its western edge, guaranteeing welcome fresh air in the heat of the Provencal summers and one of the reasons that the most affluent private mansions were built, for many years, so close to the river.
Constructed near one of the city's ancient gates, the private mansion is within proximity to two public car parks and a bus terminal, which provides service throughout the region, while Avignon's central train station, offering connections to its high-speed rail station, is fifteen minutes away on foot, as is Villeneuve-lès-Avignon via the nearby Pont du Royaume.
Despite its classical façade, whose understated architectural appearance seems to have the sole purpose of showcasing the nearby "Ancienne Comédie", Thomas Lainé's masterpiece, the private mansion is rather discreet in contrast to the theatre's stunning façade, crowned with a radiant Apollo head and decorated with four ionic pilasters, which support an entablature with a triangular pediment and a balustrade highlighted with four vases resembling fire pot finials. The theatricality of this façade sets the aesthetic for the entire square, this Baroque gem being its dominant element, whereas, despite having changed vocations over the years, its luminous sculpted façade remains the same, the latter of which is directly visible from some of the flat's windows.
Far from being static, this architecture, reminiscent of an opera set, is today enlivened by a number of nearby restaurants and cafés, which, once summer arrives, becomes a favourite haven of festival attendees. As for the private mansion, with only three storeys in accordance with the city's regulation requiring buildings to be constructed no higher than the city's ramparts, it is topped with a barrel tile roof, the latter of which is highlighted by a crenelated genoise cornice, and boasts an off-white plaster-coated ashlar stone façade.
Modified as of the 19th century in order to be turned into commercial premises, its former carriage door entrance and formal courtyard have now been replaced with the terrace of the neighbouring restaurant, while, with one flat per storey, which creates a small commonhold property, the flat in question is located on the second and last floor.
Featuring a kitchen and a bedroom with a mezzanine, on one side, which look out on to the square with its café/restaurant terraces shaded by majestic plane trees, on the other side, an immense living room, three more bedrooms and three shower rooms face south in the opposite direction.
The FlatA Directoire-style wooden door, with moulded pilasters and topped with a fanlight whose wrought-iron grill features an ornate basket pattern, provides access to the building, located right next to a restaurant terrace. With cement floor tiles, the entryway contains the staircase, constructed out of Les Baux stones and safeguarded by a wrought-iron bannister, as well as a window giving on to the city square.
Recently renovated, the flat, with approximately 170 m², extends over the entire second floor, while its front door opens on to a fitted and tiled kitchen, which stands out thanks to an ashlar stone wall, highlighted with an arch dating from 1720. Looking out over the square, as does the adjacent bedroom, the latter of which is ...
