Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Blockhaus villa, built in 1957 in Saint-Georges-d'Oléron, is a bold achievement by architect-engineer Georges-René Fournier. The latter, working for a subsidiary of the Société Générale des Eaux, designed this villa as the work of his life, integrating between two blockhouses dating from the Second World War. One of these blockhouses has been reused as a cellar, while the villa itself has been classified as bitter (maritime benchmark) by the Ministry of Marine, highlighting its functional as well as aesthetic role in the coastal landscape.

The architecture of the villa is distinguished by its semi-circle shape, supplemented by a northern appendix and a symmetrical pergola. Built without a permit, it rests on a concrete floor, served by a rock staircase starting from the garden. Rounded volumes, back terraces on each floor, and columns supporting balconies create a dynamic rise towards the sea. The cellars, on two levels, allow direct access to the beach for boats, while the upper floors offer living spaces in harmony with the marine environment. The villa was listed as a historical monument by order of 11 December 1992.

Located at 836 Avenue de la Durandière, the Blockhaus villa is now a private property. Its landscape integration, combining military heritage and architectural innovation, makes it a remarkable testimony to the creativity of the 20th century in Charente-Maritime. The protected elements include the entire villa (case AS 122), thus preserving its historical and aesthetic integrity.

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