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This beautifully appointed Provençal home, scheduled for completion in the early summer of 2008, is an ideal choice either as a fulltime residence or a vacation home with excellent rental potential. One of the owners is a skilled interior decorator with a long history of quality renovations, and the house promises to be a successful blend of traditional Provençal charm and bold contemporary design based on large-volume spaces and the use of top-quality materials.
Setting
In addition to being an exceptionally comfortable residence, Mas de Marsanne enjoys one of the most choice locations in the northern Vaucluse - in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail between the wine villages of Sablet and, just to the north, Séguret. From its elevated position the house has superb long-range views west over the Vaucluse Plateau and Côtes-du-Rhône wine-producing region; in the evening the lights of Sablet, a tidy little village known for its illuminated bell tower, are visible to the southwest. The 3,000 m2 (.74-acre) parcel is surrounded by agricultural land and is situated on a small paved road with virtually no traffic. The setting offers perfect tranquility free of traffic noise or disturbances from neighbors.
Floor plan
The layout of the house offers simplicity, efficiency and privacy for occupants of the five bedrooms. The main entrance is from a gravel courtyard into the voluminous (48 m2, 516 sq. ft.) sitting room, which is separated by an archway from the dining room (22 m2, 237 sq. ft.). Both of these rooms have access through wide glass doors to the outside terrace. The kitchen (also 22 m2) features a central island, semi-professional gas stove and full array of good-quality wood cabinets. Adjoining the kitchen is a pantry and a guest lavatory.
Of the five bedrooms, two are on the ground floor and three on the upper level, which is reached by a stone stairway. The bathrooms, each of good size, are all tiled and have a WC and walk-in shower.
The bedroom surface areas are:
Ground floor
- First bedroom: 24.5 m2 (264 sq. ft.). This bedroom has French doors opening to the outside. The ensuite bathroom is especially spacious.
- Bedroom 2: 17.5 m2 (188 sq. ft.)
Upper floor
- Bedroom three: 26 m2 (280 sq. ft;). The ensuite bathroom is especially spacious.
- Bedroom four: 18.5 m2 (199 sq. ft.)
- Bedroom 5: 14 m2 (151 sq. ft.)
The exterior of the house has a smooth stucco finish painted in a soft beige. The windows, especially large to maximize natural light, all have wood shutters typical of the region.
Amenities
Mas de Marsanne has been designed for maximum comfort in an authentically Provençal environment. The ceilings have exposed beams and the floors are of white stone. The house is warmed in winter by an under-floor electric heating system, which in warm months can be reversed to cool. All mechanical systems are brand-new, and are guaranteed for 10 years. Among the other amenities are a security system, wiring for a home entertainment center, extensive exterior lighting, an automatic irrigation system and a carport for three cars.
Pool and grounds
The property is entered by a remotely controlled wrought-iron gate on the lower perimeter of the property. Landscaping plans call for mature olive and fruit trees, and a gravel courtyard. A century-old mulberry tree provides shade on the south side of the house.
The 5 m X 11 m (16.5' X 36') swimming pool is situated on the west side of the house, where it enjoys has superb views of the Vaucluse Plateau and is protected from sight of passersby.
The region
Sablet is a tidy little wine village with limited commerce, including two épiceries, a butcher shop, two bakeries, presse and a beauty salon, as well as a café and two modest restaurants. Two miles two the north is the pedestrian village of Séguret, which has been designated one of the most beautiful villages in France. Séguret has a variety of restaurants, including the Michelin-rated Mesclun and La Table du Comtat. La Bastide Bleu and Domaine de Cabase are pleasant family-style restaurants.
Thanks to its proximity to the Autoroute (a 15-minute drive to exit 22 of the A 7), Avignon (with TGV service to Paris) and other regions of Provence are easily accessible from Sablet. Marseille-Provence International Airport at Marignane is a 70-minute drive.
The northern Vaucluse is known throughout Europe for the high-level of its cultural offerings each summer. Vaison-la-Romaine hosts six internationally known dance troupes during its dance festival in July. The famed summer opera festival at Orange (Les Chorégies d'Orange), which takes place in the old Roman theatre, draws internationally known stars from the Metropolitan Opera and elsewhere. Aix-en-Provence has an equally celebrated summer opera festival.
The Luberon and Alpilles regions of Provence, known for their charming villages, are less than an hour's drive to the south. The most famous open-air markets in the region are the Tuesday morning spectacle at Vaison-la-Romaine, which is superseded for color and variety only by the most famed market in the region, which takes place Sunday morning at L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, 35 minutes to the south.
Price: 1,300,000 € | Rental potential: Excellent.
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