Property Description
Spread over approx 1,000m2 (500m2 completed living space) in a 3.5 hectares estate, Chateau La Brague sleeps up to 12 people in five delightful individually decorated rooms and 6 more in a self-contained apartment. Uniquely located in the total tranquillity of 500 hectares of The Brague Regional Park with its famed tumbling stream. Between two worlds of mountains & Mediterranean sea, a stone's throw from the razzmatazz of the Cote d'Azur, in the Golden Triangle' of Cannes, Grasse & Nice. Despite its 'other worldliness' the chateau is less than 30 minutes to Nice & Cannes airport, 20 minutes to the beach and a 5 minute drive or 20 minute streamside walk to the charming, historic village of Valbonne with all its shops, restaurants and bars.
The Chateau lies on nearly a km of water frontage which in June attracts a multitude of fireflies 'Lucioles" . Painstakingly extended over the centuries from its humble origins as a mill in 1609 to its present glorious self, with rock quarried on-site, the chateau has recently undergone an extensive restoration, sourcing old materials far and wide it maintains an original and charming patina with modern-day comfort.
Thick stone walls keep the heat out in summer whilst underfloor heating and lovely old fireplaces create warmth and atmosphere on chilly winters evenings.
lt's not about sterile perfection, but beautiful warmth, character and authenticity. Stunning vaulted ceilings, stone or old tiled floors showcase an eclectic mix of antique and modern furniture to welcome you into a homely yet elegant retreat.
Property Features
Lounge: feet up in front of the enormous ancient stone fireplace or a cool place on a hot summers day, this beautiful room has deep comfy sofas to relax in, beautiful chequerboard marble floors and a valued ceiling. Hear the sound of the koi carp waterfall or pop down to the basement and the bar. Aircon.
Kitchen: The heart of every home, with its large walk-in pantry & cold room, stainless steel worktops, gas stove with electric ovens, double dish washer, ice machine, massive marble island, pillared and high vaulted ceiling, huge stone fireplace and a grand piano this kitchen offers a fabulous mix of semi professional prep and cooking area and elegant informal family dining. There is also a large walk in pantry and French doors leading to the Picasso dining terrace. Aircon.
Dining: Formal Feasting Hall, under a high vaulted ceiling with a huge ornately carved fireplace, stone floors and 3 large French windows giving onto the terrace, this really can be a dining room for any occasion.
Cellar Vie: Every hour's a happy hour - under the stone vaulting, locked away behind old iron gates is the wine cellar with a large pewter table and benches to enjoy a glass or why not have a small private dinner or an after-dinner cognac or a Cohiba cigar. Between the bar and the wine cellar, there's a spillover bar area with pewter tables and bar stools, intimate lighting and atmosphere. The bar itself is cosy and fun with fridges, sink and dartboard... a real hideaway.
Bedrooms: Jasmin - A large sunny room with the lullaby of running water. Exquisite Venetian polished plaster walls and ceiling, old terracotta tiled floors and a gorgeous view overlooking the garden and lake on one side and down to the river on the other. Antique bed head with a feather topped king-sized 'don't want to get out of ' bed. Large luxury marble bathroom with twin sinks, antique mirrors, rainfall shower, huge freestanding bathtub & a separate WC. Aircon.
Peony - Our 'princess suite' with double antique iron bedstead. Vaulted ceilings, beautiful Venetian plastered walls, a large sofa and a pretty working fireplace to snuggle up in front of during the colder months. Views over the front terrace to the river. Large walk-in dressing room, bathroom with rainfall Italian style shower and huge freestanding tub. Separate WC. Aircon
Violet - Gorgeous room with antique fireplace, a king-sized bed you won’t want to get out of, polished Venetian plaster walls & French windows giving onto a large private balcony with day bed, forest & stream views and its gentle lullaby. Stunning marble wet room & fabulous antique freestanding bathtub to know the true feeling of a luxurious soak. Aircon
Iris (family) - Lovely room in the roof space with high electric velux windows and port hole views over the garden and lake. King sized bed and seperate 'secret' kids bed hidden behind the painting of Narnia. Bathroom with Italian style shower and large modern free standing oval bath tub. Seperate WC. Aircon.
Rose - Lovely bedroom in the roof space with high velux window looking up to the forest above. Polished plaster walls, antique furniture with modern touches. Large stone wet room and large free standing bath tub, lovely stone sink on marble counter top gives a feeling of luxury. Sep WC . Aircon.
Additional accommodation: The Lookout Apartment - a home within a home, with a lovely lookout position poised at the top of the house is a lovely 3 bedroomed apartment, each with an ensuite bathroom. A kitchen living and dining area plus its own private balcony overlooking the river and private terrace at the back of the house looking up onto the forest. Perfect for friends, older more independent kids, staff or rental. This part of the house has its own independent entrance. The Lookout is not usually part of the weekly rental, but could be included for a mid to long term rental of the whole house.
Outdoor Dining: Le Piccaso Preau - a 50m2 Preau or authentic provencale covered terrace runs off the main dining area with shady seating and dining area with beautiful antique table for 20+ diners, once owned by a renowned painter (the clue is in the name). Lily Pond - a sensorial feasting place, Lilypond terrace has an oriental feel, two terracotta warriors stand proudly guarding the entrance with its 4 massive stone pillared arbour, a 4m waterfall tumbling down the rock face into the carp pool that runs along its back wall with direct access to the garden and lake. Summer Kitchen
- a sunken terrace boasts a professional bbq , fridge and work stations. A pretty gravel garden and fresh herbs beds with round stone dining table.
Forest Retreat: A place to Play, Party or Ponder - hidden away with just the sound of running water bird song and the odd dog walker you can find many quiet places to grab a mat and do some yoga, meditate, paint, just be with your thoughts or turn up the watts and dance. Stream to sit by, water to jump in, lawns to play on (we have croquet, badminton and table tennis ) petanque "when in France" do as the French do! Fountains, fruit and nut trees, woodland & river walks, stargazing (no light pollution) and so much more.
Quarry Pool with sandy beach - this breathtaking freshwater reserve carved out of the bedrock, offers a truly unique oasis for fun and relaxation. A lovely sandy beach, 4m waterfall, undulating shallows and deeps with its almost Olympic length, who needs to go to the seaside! (Please note as this is not an official swimming pool this area is not gated ).
Spa Pool: Bubbles are happiness - nestled into the rock this lovely slate plunge pool is the most beautiful spot for relaxation with massage jets, exercise against it's swimming jet or just cool off and splash around. This corner of the garden has the advantage of being partially in the shade or full sun at certain times of the day. Totally enclosed for child security.
Petanque: A game for all ages - this is The South so there has to be Petanque! Team up for some fun or serious 'pointing' in the dappled light of huge trees overlooking the river. Per with floodlights for evening entertainment. Fountains, fruit and nut trees, woodland and river walks.
About the local area
Leisure Activities - rivers, lakes, sea, mountains & forests provide the opportunity for countless sporting activities in the area.
Golf and Tennis - a short drive to some of the Cote d'Azur's top courses and Sophia has a world renouned Tennis Academy.
Horse Riding - there are various equestrian centres in the area the closest being a half-hour walk down the river.
Wine - as well as specialist shops, fantastic restaurants there are vineyards to visit or organise a private wine tasting in Luciole's private wine cellar.
Cultural Sites - close to hilltop villages, museums, galleries, gardens, historic sites and the perfumeries of Grasse.
Market Tour - apart from Valbonne's wonderful Friday market, the towns and villages have weekly markets and in the summer months have night markets too.
