French castle for sale includes murals by artist Pablo Picasso

Five murals by influential 20th century artist Pablo Picasso are included with a castle for sale in the south of France at about $9.6 million.

Chateau de Castille, near Uzes in Provence, owes its treasure to onetime owner Douglas Cooper. The art collector and scholar was a friend to the Spanish artist, 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.

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 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 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 several outbuildings.

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.

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