Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Mendichka villa, located in Urrugne in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is an emblematic construction of the neobasque style, erected in 1911 by architect Henri Godbarge. Originally commissioned for the Roland-Gosselin family, it is inspired by traditional ploughhouses, with elements such as wood panels, prominent wall heads and overflowing roofs. Its monumental Art Deco-style porch and square tower with a pavilion roof make it a unique example of a fusion between Basque vernacular and architectural modernity.

In 1927, the villa was enlarged by the same architect for the Méndez family, originally from Venezuela. The modifications include the addition of a porch topped by a veranda and the doubling of a terrace. Inside, the large central hall, rising on two floors, combines the functions of entrance, main living room and distribution, adorned with canvases painted by the painter Raymond Virac and glass windows made by the workshop of the Mauméjean brothers. These decorative elements combine traditional Basque motifs and Art Deco touches.

Classified as a historic monument in 1993, the Villa Mendichka also includes its garden, entrance gates and concierge in protection. Its architecture reflects the commitment of Henri Godbarge, the theorist of the neo-Basque movement, to reinterpret local heritage while integrating stylistic innovations. The precision of details, such as carved balconies or adorned columns, underscores the importance attached to aesthetics and craftsmanship in this realization.

The villa also illustrates the cultural exchanges of the time, with international sponsors (Méndez family) and local artisans (Mauméjean, Virac). Its inscription in the title of historical monuments bears witness to its heritage value, both for its architecture and for its interior decoration, which make it a privileged witness to the evolution of styles at the beginning of the twentieth century in the Basque Country.

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