Pablo Picasso's beloved French Riviera estate which lay abandoned for 30 years after his death is expected to fetch £18m at auction after stunning restoration
- Pablo Picasso bought Mas de Notre Dame de Vie in Mougins on the Côte d’Azur in 1961
- The Spanish artist lived and worked on the estate until his death in 1973, aged 91
- Property stood empty for nearly three decades after the death of his wife but is now restored
- The five-bedroom estate is now up for auction with bids starting at £18.7millionThe French riviera home where iconic artist Pablo Picasso lived and died has been put on the market after three decades of abandonment ended with a top to bottom restoration.
Mas de Notre Dame de Vie in Mougins, on the Côte d’Azur was bought by the Spanish artist in 1961, and he lived and worked there until his death in 1973, aged 91.
The property was abandoned after the death of Picasso’s wife, Jacqueline Roque, in 1986, but is now up for auction following a two-year refurbishment project, with bids starting at 20.2 million euros (£18.7million).
Home of a legend: Mas de Notre Dame de Vie in Mougins on the French riviera was home to artist Pablo Picasso
Space: A portrait of the artist can be seen on the wall of one of the larger entertainment areas of the estate
Dream: One of the bedrooms on the top floor offers a jawdropping view of the French countryside
The artiste: Pablo Picasso is pictures surrounded by many of his paintings at his beloved home Notre-Dame-de-Vie
When Picasso died Ms Roque left everything as it had been in his lifetime, with the new owners even finding his reading glasses where he had left them, according to Christie's real estate firm R365.
Originally, the estate had 24 rooms, but the legendary artist extended several areas of the house to turn it into his dream home, including building a large studio with a terrace in the main building. The main building in Mas de Notre Dame de Vie offers 1.225 sqm of floor space over two levels, with four large bedrooms and a master bedroom.
The lower of the two living rooms leads out to a terrace with a fireplace, adjacent to the kitted-out kitchen with a utility, prepping kitchen, two cold storage areas, and a wine cellar with space for 5,000 bottles.
Riviera treasure: Picasso bought Mas de Notre Dame de Vie in Mougins in 1961, and he lived and worked there until his death in 1973, aged 91
French simplicity: ONe of the bathrooms in the main building is seen on the real estate agency's website
The property was abandoned for 30 years after the death of Picasso’s wife, Jacqueline Roque, in 1986, but is now up for auction with bids starting at 20.2 million euros (£18.7million)
Time for a swim: The overflow swimming pool is accompanied by a 350 sqm pool house with a summer kitchen, gym and spa
Kitted out: The kitchen boasts a utility and prep area, two cold storage areas, and a wine cellar with space for 5,000 bottles
His way: The gardens have been completely restored to Picasso’s original design, dating back to the early Sixties
The main building is surrounded by eight acres of grounds, including a professional tennis court, a swimming pool and a pool house which boasts a complete gym and spa with changing rooms and a massage space.
The garden has been restored to Picasso’s original designs, with several terraces, an orangery and water features.
In addition to the main and pool houses, there is also a guest house and a caretaker's quarters.
If you are interested in buy the property - or just get a sneak peak into the home of the master - viewings are being held next month before the October auction.
Plenty of space: One of the four guest bedrooms in the specious main building on the French Riviera
Inspirational: A 'studio' area of the house has been recreated by the restoration team ahead of the auction
Why go anywhere else: Picasso redesigned the estate specifically so he could live a 'hermit-like' existence
Alone by choice: The artist lived and worked on the estate, extending rooms to turn them into studios
The main building is surrounded by eight acres of grounds, including a guest house, a professional tennis court, a swimming pool and a pool house
The garden boasts water features, olive trees, an authentic, restored orangery, stone steps, a tree hut, and various terraces
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