Hot Property: Five Picasso murals are part of castle for sale in the south of France
Five murals by influential 20th century artist Pablo Picasso are part of a castle for sale in the south of France at about $9.6 million U.S.
Chateau de Castille, near Uzes, owes its treasure to onetime owner Douglas Cooper. The art collector and scholar was a friend to the Spanish Cubist, and the residence became an art salon during his ownership.
Picasso installed the engraved concrete panels during the early 1960s in what was once a billiard room. The pieces, worth millions if sold, cannot be removed because of the property’s historic monument status.
Stunning photos, celebrity homes: Get the free weekly Hot Property newsletter >>
The chateau, which dates to the 13th century, underwent an architectural makeover in the 18th century when then-owner Baron de Castille went to Italy on a grand tour and inspiration struck.
The result was the addition of numerous columns, geometric walkways and stone ornamentation. The baron embellished the house exterior with a balustrade around the roof, added a balcony supported by stone columns and created an oval colonnade with fountains at the entrance to the five-acre property.
Towers sit at each corner of the square seven-bedroom house, which has two drawing rooms, a library and two kitchens. The more than 8,000 square feet of living space, decorated by American interior designer Dick Dumas, combines rustic elements with traditional furnishings. There are also some outbuildings.
See more of our top stories on Facebook >>
A tree-lined drive leads through the grounds, which feature formal gardens and a park.
The listing was secured for Sotheby’s International Realty in Uzes by Barry Sloane, who heads the Historic & Architecturally Significant Properties division of Sotheby’s Beverly Hills Office.
Twitter: @LATHotProperty
ALSO
Clipper Chris Paul buys Calabasas estate for $8.995 million
Home of the Week: A century-old Italian Revival in South Pasadena
Donald and Shelly Sterling buy another multimillion-dollar home in the 90210
