Construction of the villa 1924-1927 (≈ 1926)
Period of construction by Roger-Henri Expert.
16 janvier 2001
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 16 janvier 2001 (≈ 2001)
Fully protected villa and garden.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Villa and its garden in full (Box BP 403): inscription by order of 16 January 2001
Key figures
Roger-Henri Expert - Architect
Designer of the villa and its garden.
Origin and history
Villa Tethys, located in La Teste-de-Buch, is part of a set of five villas built by architect Roger-Henri Expert between 1924 and 1927 in Arcachon. Its name is inspired by Tethys, a Greek marine goddess, reflecting its implantation on the edge of the ocean. The villa is distinguished by a large central rotunda room, combining Greek and Palladian architectural references, while its western facade dominates the sea.
On the east side, the villa opens onto a regular garden designed by Expert himself, integrating vegetation, water games and architecture to create an intimate atmosphere. This garden, like the villa, illustrates the architect's desire to harmonize nature and construction. The whole, including the garden, was inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 16 January 2001 for its heritage value.
Villa Tethys embodies the seaside aesthetic of the 1920s, when Arcachon and its surroundings become a popular destination for secondary residences. Its architecture, both monumental and refined, bears witness to the influence of the artistic movements of the period, while adapting to the exceptional natural setting of the Arcachon Basin.
