Description
A remarkable achievement by l’École Bordelaise
This spectacular villa with its modernist lines was designed by architects Yves Salier and Adrien Courtois. It enjoys absolute peace and quiet and a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees, the Rhune and the Nive, a tributary of the Adour.
Set in 925 sqm of landscaped grounds, the villa spans around 280 sqm, spread over several half-levels that follow the topography of the site.
The main level houses the living areas, organised around a monumental fireplace with geometric lines. The vast cathedral living room is bathed in light thanks to generous south-facing windows that frame the panoramic view of the Pyrenees mountain range. The pool below reflects the sunlight during the day, enhancing the sloping ceiling and the interplay of volumes. Extending from the living room, a dining room opens onto a terrace with built-in furniture, protected from the prevailing winds by a long roof overhang. A second terrace below offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside and gives access to the swimming pool. The kitchen with scullery opens onto a shaded patio to the north, providing welcome coolness on hot summer days.
From the living room, a few steps lead up to the first sleeping area, comprising two bedrooms with private terraces and two shower rooms. A mezzanine study overlooks the living room and provides a bright workspace. It has an adjoining shower room and could easily be converted into an additional bedroom.
The lower level houses a master suite with shower room, dressing room and lounge. This level also includes a storage area, a machine room and a service entrance leading to a carport with space for two cars.
The property also includes a storeroom and a cellar.
The villa enjoys a quiet, green setting at the end of a cul-de-sac.
It is located 15 minutes from Bayonne and 20 minutes from Biarritz and the Basque coast.
A landscape architecture
The project was shaped by the characteristics of the site, such as the slope of the land and the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the Pyrenees. The building’s integration into the topography has been meticulously studied, with a focus on geometry and movement: the architects use a play of offsets and recesses to create a dynamic spatiality. The building’s two main volumes seem to interlock, while the roof sections are superimposed and seem to float above the wide concrete columns thanks to thin intermediate beams of dark wood.
Inside, the attention paid to volumes and openings allows natural light to penetrate generously throughout the day and the seasons. This subtle marriage of architecture and light creates a dynamic, ever-changing atmosphere, establishing a continuous dialogue with the surrounding landscape for its occupants.
L’Ecole Bordelaise
Founded in 1964 in Bordeaux, the architectural firm quickly made a name for itself with the construction of several emblematic neighborhoods. Comprising Yves Salier, Adrien Courtois, Pierre Lajus and Michel Sadirac, the firm gradually moved into the field of individual housing.
Among its most striking creations are the Girolle prefabricated houses, characterized by a wooden structure that offers an economical alternative to traditional concrete pavilions. Nearly 700 of these houses were produced.
At the same time, our architects also made their mark in the high-end segment, designing modernist villas in reinforced concrete. These include the Villa Geneste, built in 1967 and listed as a Monument Historique in 2011, and the Villa Février, built in 1972 and listed in 2017. Equally remarkable is the Villa Tenaya, designed in 1970 and distinguished by its sculptural appearance and perfect integration with the surrounding landscape.
Technical info
Asking price: €1,450,000.
Fees payable by seller
Property tax 2022 : €1,859
Full ownership
Heating : oil, electric and wood stove
Individual sanitation
Quality renovation in the original spirit in 2020.
ENERGY CLASS: D / CLIMATE CLASS: D
Estimated annual costs: between €3,460 and €4,770 per year, average energy prices
indexed to January 1, 2021