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Inside Picasso’s stunning €20.2 million Côte d’Azur mansion, complete with infinity pool, spa, orangery, and 5,000-bottle wine cellar

The artist lived and worked there from 1961 until his death in 1973.

The stunning Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera as it is also known, is famed as the preferred holiday destination for the royals, rich and famous.

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It was also home to one of the greatest artists of the 20th century for over a decade.

Nestled amid southern France's stunning coastline, just below the old chapel of Notre-Dame de Vie, sits a traditional Provencal bastide (country house), in a secluded estate that was the last home of Pablo Picasso.

Mas de Notre Dame de Vie, in the commune of Mougins, is where Picasso is understood to have lived and worked from 1961 until his death in 1973.

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The country pile, which sits on eight acres, is up for sale. According to the listing, its last owner completed a two-year renovation of the mansion, but is said to have remained faithful to the property's features while Picasso was in residence — with some added (luxury) mod-cons, of course.

It will be auctioned on October 12, 2017 in France, with a starting bid of €20.2 million (£18.7 million / $24.1 million). The process is being handled by Residence 365, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate.

Scroll down for a sneak peek inside.

Here's the main entrance of Mas de Notre Dame de Vie, where Picasso reportedly lived a hermit-like life.

The estate includes 2,400 square metres of floor space, 1,500 of which is the main house. It is surrounded by eight acres of land. There's also a guesthouse and caretaker's house.

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According to the listing brochure, Picasso is understood to have extended and transformed the bastide into his "dream home." The renovation is said to have kept true to its style while the artist was living there.

It comes complete with an infinity pool, tennis court, summer kitchen, gym, spa, hammam, massage and changing rooms, among many other luxury facilities.

Here's the view from the terrace above the pool at night. The bastide offers some spectacular views of Mougins, the Esterel Massif, the bay of Cannes, and the Mediterranean Sea.

There are numerous terraces, both covered and uncovered...

The gardens have been restored to Picasso’s original designs dating back to the early 1960s. They come complete with water features, olive trees, a tree hut, and an orangery.

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The last owner bought the mansion in a ruinous state. It had supposedly stood empty for years following the death of Picasso’s wife, Jacqueline Roque.

The restoration is understood to have taken two years and 100 men, and was carried out under the watch of Belgian interior architect Axel Vervoordt.

The main kitchen/diner on the garden level also has a covered Mediterranean-style terrace. It is a professionally-equipped kitchen, complete with a prepping kitchen, two cold storage areas, and a wine cellar for 5,000 bottles.

There are two living rooms, the one below has a feature fireplace...

...arched doors lead onto the terrace.

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All floors can be reached via a lift, or a stone spiral staircase.

Below is the master bedroom on the first floor of royal proportions. It has impressive views of the surrounding area, a dressing room, and luxurious bathroom.

There are four more large bedrooms, each with en-suite dressing rooms and bathrooms, as well as five separate guest apartments in the grounds, three with their own living room. In total there are 15 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.

Picasso is said to have found inspiration for a number of works of art here, according to sales brochure.

He would apparently work until late in the evening or at night, and sleep during the day, in order to be able to dedicate himself to his work at all times and without distraction. The property even has its very own gallery.

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Viewings are by invitation only and will take place on September 22 and 29, ahead of the October auction. You can contact the real estate agent here.

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