Outstanding residences in the Basque country

From its flamboyant past, the Basque coast has retained an architectural heritage unique throughout the world. Stately residences and castles in neo-Gothic style now find themselves up for sale. A survey of this market very different from the norm.

The international renown of Biarritz and its surrounding communes dates back to the second half of the 19th century, when Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, crowned heads of Europe and very wealthy families of the day turned the Basque coast into a place where it was fashionable to acquire a home. From 1876 to 1881, close on 300 properties were built : châteaux, private mansions, residences and estates characterized by majestic drives, views of the ocean or mountains, and an amazing melting-pot of architectural styles in which neo-Gothic rubbed shoulders with neo-

Renaissance or even Old English. In the 1920’s, a regional style put in an appearance, giving rise to lovely middle-class villas in neo-Basque style, while Art Deco also emerged to give the Casino Municipal in Biarritz its stunning allure.

“The top end of the market is very special,” explains Nicolas Descamps of the Côte Ouest Immobilier agency, affiliated to Christie’s. “It involves a very limited number of people - both buyers and sellers -, and each transaction is usually completed in a very confidential manner. Our clients expect us to be efficient and discreet.” And the assets themselves ? Properties facing the sea, castles, residences offering rare architecture... By way of example, Nicolas Descamps mentions a charming residence in Bidart, built in the 1920’s. Set at the heart of a protected natural site, it enjoys breathtaking views and is just a few minutes’ walk to a little-known beach. Its price ? Almost 3 million euros. Prestigious addresses can also be found in Ciboure, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Guéthary and, of course, Biarritz.

“In fact, the sumptuous past enjoyed by Biarritz gave rise to a considerable number of exceptional buildings, testifying to a sometimes unbridled taste for fantasy and architectural excellence,” adds Patricia Biondi of Sotheby’s International Realty. She mentions, for example, a magnificent apartment of 465 m2 in one of the finest mansions in Biarritz, built in 1909. From its impressive seafront terrace, a flight of steps leads directly to the Miramar beach. Inside, each detail of the decor lays claim to extreme refinement. Crystal chandeliers, sculptures and mosaic marble floors create harmony in which luxury reigns supreme. “Benefiting from a guest apartment and guardian’s accommodation, this outstanding property priced at 9,800,000 € will be love at first sight for a client, most certainly foreign, with a passion for art and history.” Outside the towns, a few noble 19th-C. residences provide real opportunities for fans of the genre. A château of 600 m2 enthroned on the banks of L’Adour, about 30 minutes from Biarritz, has just been put up for sale. “In addition to the château built in 1850 and renovated in 1998, the estate includes a private pontoon, a guest cottage, a concierge’s lodge of 180 m2, stables, a barn of 1,000 m2, a heated greenhouse, and a park of about 21.5 acres featuring a pond with ducks and geese, meadows, an orchard, rose garden, and many trees 300 years old. Due to its distance from Biarritz, it is on the market at a relatively reasonable price, given its prestige and stylishness.” In fact, this property, which could easily be run as an hotel, an elegant guest-house or a site for holding receptions, is currently up for sale at 2,650,000 €.

“Some high-quality properties are in fact to be found from 2 to 4 million euros all over the Basque Coast,” adds Phlilippe Thomine Desmazures of the Agence Barnes. “Rarer properties worth over 5 million euros often consist of châteaux, master residences with magnificent architecture, or vast properties on many acres of land. Comprising a niche market, these properties are treated by our agency to a tailormade communication strategy. We target an inter­national clientele through parallel communication channels : investment banks, asset managers or consultants for professionals in the hotel sector, as well as networks for horse-breeders in the case of properties suitable as stud farms. These prestigious properties may also change their vocation, an hotel may become a private residence and vice versa,” explains our specialist. By way of example, he mentions a château of 1,000 m2 in Anglo-Norman style on a 494-acre estate located between Biarritz and Pau. Comprised of several houses and stables, it had belonged to the same family for over 150 years. It was recently put up for sale at 6.5 million euros. Another example which received lots of attention was the sale of the Château d’Ilbarritz, a listed building, steeped in history, enjoying a fabulous location at the top of the Handia hill in Bidart. Acquired in July 2014 for about 10 million euros by Bruno Ledoux, shareholder in the “Libération” newspaper, this supposedly haunted property was originally built for the Baron Albert de l’Espée to house one of the largest organs ever designed for a private owner. The organ since moved out to replace that of the Sacré-Cœur basilica in Montmartre, in Paris. The Château’s new owner is soon planning to create an hotel and restaurant – with the assistance of the visionary designer Ora Ito. A large-scale restoration project is currently underway. This type of transaction is an event in itself, and its media coverage and the arrival of such an establishment will undoubtedly give rise to economic and press advantages for the entire commune.

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