A rare Turkish-style villa with outstanding sea views is up for sale on the Goëlo coast (Côtes d'Armor).
The interior of "Villa Turque" features mosaics, crenellated arches, exotic carpets and marble staircases.
“It is special because it combines multiple assets,” Chrystelle Masson, the estate agent in charge of the sale, told The Connexion.
“The architecture is neo-Moorish and equally remarkable inside as it is outside, the decor is by celebrated Florentine mosaic artist Isidore Odorico, and there are uninterrupted sea views from almost all the rooms.”
Credit: Groupe Immobilier Patrice Besse
The villa, which is classed as a National Heritage Site, is for sale for €2,527,000 via Patrice Besse estate agency.
“We have many potential buyers. It has aroused great interest. A serious visit has been carried out and another is scheduled,” said Mrs Masson.
A unique but timeless style
Among the unique features is the domed lead roof, which was previously used to collect rainwater.
"Originally, the bulb was a water tower," says the estate agent. "Rainwater was collected by the roof terrace and then flowed into cisterns placed under the villa.
“A hand pump system, then later an electric motor, returned this water to the bulb and supplied the house with running water long before the municipality of Saint-Quay-Portrieux benefitted from a public water network.”
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An ingenious and pioneering system for the time, but one that is now out of use.
Credit: Groupe Immobilier Patrice Besse
The mosaics on the floor also remained unchanged – these were made by the illustrious mosaic artist brothers Odorico, from Rennes.
The villa’s history
The 300 m² villa was built in 1880 for the Count of Lande de Calan, before being enlarged in 1906 and passed from owner to owner.
It was a Belgian banker who completed a lot of work giving the villa much of its oriental influence as well as adding a new wing and bow windows.
Credit: Groupe Immobilier Patrice Besse
The villa was almost demolished to build a hotel at the end of the 1970s but in the end, the current owner built a 4-star hotel below the building in order to preserve the place as best as possible.
"Fortunately, the villa is part of the local landscape today," says Mme Masson.
