Start of work 1937 (≈ 1937)
Construction of the hydrobase started.
1938
First flights
First flights 1938 (≈ 1938)
Start of flights despite unfinished work.
1955
Operational closure
Operational closure 1955 (≈ 1955)
End of civil and military aviation activity.
1962
Transfer to Ministry of Armed Forces
Transfer to Ministry of Armed Forces 1962 (≈ 1962)
Change of administrative control of the site.
1992
Demountation of hangars
Demountation of hangars 1992 (≈ 1992)
Disappearance of original metal structures.
2012
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 2012 (≈ 2012)
Protection of the watch and its annexes.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The part situated on the north bank of the former hydrobase comprising the buildings of the vigie with its annex, the winch and its cabestan, and the ground of the former hangar, in full (Box AR 101): inscription by order of 1 February 2012
Key figures
René Lemaire - Engineer
Technical designer of the hydrobase.
Bassompierre - Architect
Co-author of site plans.
de Rutté - Architect
Collaborator in architectural design.
Sirvin - Architect
Contributor to the hydrobase project.
Origin and history
The former hydrobase of the Hours was built as part of an ambitious project launched by the Air Ministry in the 1930s. The aim was to create an international airport dedicated to transatlantic seaplanes at the Biscarrosse site in the Landes. The work began in 1937, and despite the infrastructure still incomplete, the first commercial flights took off in 1938. This project was part of a modern intercontinental air connection dynamic, marking a major technological step for the time.
During the Second World War, the hydrobase was occupied and partially destroyed by the German army. At the Liberation, the site was rebuilt with modern equipment, allowing its reopening. It remained operational until 1955, before being transferred to the Army Ministry in 1962. The buildings, including the metal hangars dismantled in 1992 and the former Hotel des Passengers transformed into a holiday colony, testify to its evolution. The watch was abandoned, but its northern part, including the winch and the ground of the old hangar, was classified as a Historic Monument in 2012.
The design of the hydrobase was entrusted to a multidisciplinary team, including engineer René Lemaire and architects Bassompierre of Rutté and Sirvin. Their work reflected the technical and aesthetic standards of the inter-war period, combining military functionality and civil ambition. Today, the site, although partially in ruins, remains a symbol of French aeronautical history and its industrial heritage in the southwest.
Located at the approximate address of the 759 Route de la Merleyre, the watch also illustrates the challenges of preserving the 20th century's technical heritage. Its ranking in 2012 has saved some of the installations, but its current state is questioning the modalities of future valuation. The site, marked by successive uses (civil, military, touristic), offers a stratified reading of local and national history.
