The timeless charm of Basque residence
With their sturdy rafters and colourful timbering, Basque houses constitute the typical architectural style of the region and an undeniable contribution to its charm, which wins the favour of a vast clientele. Well-preserved, these homes of character which top the bill in many different communes come within a wide range of prices, depending on their locations and surface areas.
Particularly sought-after by fans of old stone, Basque and neo-Basque houses have imposed their style throughout the region and enjoy a high level of popularity. As confirmed by Didier Lepinoux of the Bliss et Foch agency : “Many clients aim solely for Basque or “Basquo-modern” houses, ie. with architecture offering the characteristics of this type of construction, such as half-timbering, three-sided roofs and colourful woodwork, but fully modernized inside, with air conditioning, home automation… There is a reassuring side to the Basquo-modern style which appeals to both local, French and foreign buyers. Beautiful Basque houses require comfortable budgets which vary depending on their size and location. The average price bracket is, however, 1 to 2 million euros, as exemplified by one of our most recent sales : a Basque house of 250 m2 in Bassussarry, surrounded by grounds of 1,200 m2 and priced at 1,170,000 €. For this type of architecture, the market is buoyant. It has picked up since the beginning of the year with new-found confidence in the economy and the return of the desire to invest in real estate”.
Even though they have preserved their main features, Basque homes have evolved considerably over the years, accepting modernity in order to meet the needs of contemporary lifestyles. Serge Pilke of Terres et Océan explains : “The Basque house is still highly-prized by buyers who, depending on their budgets, prefer to start out with something authentic. Houses in neo-Basque style built in the early 20th century which have now been modernized appeal to a good number of clients. This kind of property comes in a very wide range of prices, which can attain several million euros for examples of very high quality, though it is above all their geographic location which determines their price. Further inland, you can find very lovely properties at competitive prices, such as an 18th-C. Basque house we sold just recently for 499,000 €, 45 minutes from Biarritz, impeccably restored and surrounded by grounds of 2,700 m2 with a pool. Houses in Basque and neo-Basque style are a real architectural legacy that some communes intend to preserve by pursuing rather strict urban planning policies. Such is the case in Guéthary, Bidart, Arcangues, Arbonnes and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where even new developments take inspiration from the neo-Basque style”.
Even though Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz are the prime contenders for buyers’ attention, the hinterland contains real gems of typical Basque properties which draw a clientele looking for holiday homes. According to Véronique Deffauce, manageress of DL Immobilier : “Further inland, you can find authentic Basque houses offering generous volumes, often enthroned in vast wooded grounds, and offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. These properties guaranteeing a peaceful setting far from the noise and bustle of the towns attract both French and international clients in search of holiday homes ensuring a relaxing lifestyle. These residences of undeniable charm and remarkable character are always in very steady demand whether they are located inland, on the coast or in highly-prized neighbourhoods in the centre of Biarritz. We recently sold a neo-Basque house of 130 m2 to a French family, with a garden of 560 m2 at the very heart of the Saint-Charles neighbourhood, priced at 800,000 €”.
