A work of art in Cezanne country

FRANCE EUR5.8M:This house in Provence was built in the style of a traditional Bastide house. It sits among fruit trees, a pool, grand terraces, separate cottages and colonnades, writes FIONA TYRRELL

A FRENCH HOMEOWNER loved his Bastide house in Provence so much that when he had to sell the property and its 25 hectares he built a replica house on a slice of the land.

The impressive 900sq m (9,687sq ft) property was built 12 years ago following 18th century architecture principles.

Reminiscent of a film set from Dangerous Liaisons, it features vast reception rooms, 90m of colonnades and four formal entrances overhung by 18th century stone angels.

There is a series of roof gardens with seating and fountains and two formal gardens - ideal for complicated love lives.

Priced at €5.8 million and for sale through Emile Garcin, the property would suit a well-heeled buyer with stately aspirations in the market for a trophy home with a big wow factor.

Accommodation includes an enormous entrance hall, four bedrooms (two of which have large private terraces), two formal reception rooms, a library, study and kitchen.

Outside the facilities are equally as impressive. Set on three hectares it has a swimming pool with pool house, a caretaker's cottage and a fancy summer cottage complete with colonnades and marble mascarons (face ornaments).

There are also two formal gardens. One has climbing roses and angel statues and another has magnolia and an 18th century well. Much of the land is devoted to well-maintained fruit production. There are 750 olive trees as well as fruit trees including peach, almond, fig, quince and pomegranate.

Despite its secluded feel, the property has a good Provence location, half way between the villages of Aix-en-Provence and Le Tholonet (a favourite haunt of Cezanne).

And for those in need of a quick getaway, it is 10 minutes from a TGV station and 20 minutes from Marseilles Provence International Airport.