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13th-century Templar commandery, on 90 hectares in Provence, for sale

13th-century Templar commandery in Provence, for sale

by Paul Wheatley | July 21st 2012 | 10:50 am

Aix en Provence, located in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur on France’s Mediterranean coast, is famously the place where great French post-Impressionist artist Paul Cézanne was born, nurtured and inspired. It was while at school here that Cézanne got to know Émile Zola, one of France’s most renowned writers, a friendship that led Cézanne to Paris. Though the city was hugely influential on the artist, the lure of his home region means that for much of his life, he was never gone long from Provence.

  • 13th-century Templar commandery in Aix en Provence
  • 13th-century Templar commandery in Aix en Provence
  • 13th-century Templar commandery in Aix en Provence

Up for sale for GBP 10.399 million, this former Templar commandery – thought to have its origins in the thirteenth century – is situated ten kilometres from Aix en Provence. Such commanderies owe their existence to the European Crusades of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, from which military orders, such as the Knights Templar, originate.

This property includes 90 hectares of forests, meadows and other land, of which 33 hectares is given over to vineyards. Just as attractive for potential buyers are the jardin á la francasie, a traditional symmetrical, nature-ruled-by-man style of garden, an orchard, an olive grove, a swimming pool, tennis court, a garage for five vehicles and a stud with 15 stables.

  • 13th-century Templar commandery in Aix en Provence
  • The stables at the historic property

The main house, the former Templar commandery, contains several sizeable reception rooms, a library, a winter and a summer dining room, a billiard room and a kitchen. One of the most appealing aspects of this property is that it veritably invites guests to visit: as well as the nine bedrooms with seven bathrooms in the commandery, there is an accompanying farmhouse, a converted barn with a large reception room, kitchen, three bedrooms and seven bathrooms, not to mention a guest house with reception room, kitchen and dining area, plus another four bedrooms.

Cézanne returned to this region several times, buying land in 1901 at Les Lauves near Aix, where his last studio now serves as a Cézanne museum. Prospective owners of the Templar commandery will no doubt appreciate how the natural beauty of this region lured him back time and again.

See the property at the Savills International homepage
Find out more about Aix en Provence tourism and Cézanne

The property ecompasses several separate buildings, ideal as guest quarters
  • The Templar commandery is located on 90 hectares of land in Provence
  • A historic stone chapel on the property
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