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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Leihorra villa, located in Ciboure, New Aquitaine, is an architectural masterpiece of the 2nd quarter of the 20th century, designed between 1926 and 1929. It was designed by architect Joseph Hiriart, assisted by Georges Tribout, Georges Beau and François Lafaye, for Madame Caroline Signoret, stepmother of Hiriart. Built of reinforced cement covered with stone cement, the villa organizes around a central patio surrounded by a colonnade, illustrating a fusion between modernity and Basque tradition.

The garden, structured in three terraces, includes a pediment dedicated to the Basque pelota, an emblematic sport of the region. The villa is distinguished by its lush Art Deco decor: mosaics of Edouard Cazaux, ironworks of Schwartz and Poillerat, stained glass windows of Jacques Gruber, glass slabs of Paul Daum, and furniture of Prou. A statue of stork, carved by Yvonne Serruys, also adorns the places. These elements make it a unique artistic manifesto, reflecting the creative audacity of the era.

Listed as a Historical Monument by order of 10 March 1995, the villa Leïhorra includes in its protection its garden and facilities. Its architecture and decorations demonstrate exceptional collaboration between architects, artisans and artists, marking the history of Basque heritage and Art Deco in France. The location, at the 1 Muskoa impasse, reinforces its anchor in the cultural landscape of Ciboure, between local tradition and avant-garde.

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