There is a splendid property for sale in Provence – if you want 1,000 acres of parkland and can spare a cool €6m.

A secluded swimming pool, ponds overflowing with fish, a tennis court and bridle paths through oak and pine woods surround Font Curniere, a 19th century Bastide in Provence. With 1000 acres of parkland, this type of property rarely comes on the market. Located 75 kilometres northeast of Marseilles in one of the most un-spoilt areas of Provence, there are only a handful of these properties remaining in the Var Région. In a land of hilltop villages, historical sites and fields of lavender, this is a period residence with high ceilings, windows streaming light, and lavish gardens and terraces with a southern exposure. For fishing enthusiasts a river runs 4 kilometres through the land, and horse lovers will find the stable yard a stones throw from the house.

The interior has been largely restored to its original state but boasts all modern comforts. A ground floor of 250m2 contains an impressive entrance hall with sweeping wooden stairs, a dining room with a library, a generous living room with imposing fireplace, and a spacious fitted kitchen. A winter dining room is housed off the veranda. On the first floor, which is 160m2, a master suite has a living area in addition to a bedroom and bathroom. A second bedroom, two bathrooms and a laundry room adjoin it. There are three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms on the second floor.

A charming 70m2 caretaker’s lodge gives extra accommodation away from the main property, with 2 bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and bathroom. As in all good French structures of the period, annexes house 80m2 of workshops and storage.

Provence enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year and is easily accessible by air – Fort Curniere is 45 minutes from Marseille and two hours from Nice. Next to the village of Brue Auriac, vineyards and olive groves surround the property and the scent of fennel and rosemary hangs in the air.

Locals wander through the countryside and along the Argens River and play petanque (French bowls) in the village. Close by is Aix-en Provence, the beautiful city that has inspired so many great artists and writers. For beach lovers the pretty seaside resort of Cassis, once an ancient fishing port, is 45 minutes away.

Font Curnière is priced very competitively for this area at €6,000,000. The property has potential for a variety of uses, whether to develop as a golf or country club, or to keep as the magnificent period residence it is at present. While it is subject to zoning regulations administered by the local authorities, these have in recent times looked favourably on such projects.

This piece was published in Business and Finance Magazine in 2007.