Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The villa Saraléguinéa, built in 1909 by architect François-Joseph Cazalis, embodies the regionalist architecture of the early twentieth century. Sponsored by Jacques dit Hippolyte Lesca, enriched in South America, she bears the name of her wife. Its plan separates living spaces in the west (living rooms decorated with neo-Louis XVI woodwork, rooms of owners and guests) from service areas in the east (domestic, maintenance). The building combines classic references with neo-laburdin elements, such as the dungeon on the south facade, adorned with Basque inscriptions, and an entrance inspired by the Lower Navarre.

Originally, the villa was surrounded by a park designed by the Gelos brothers, of which there is only a curved aisle in front of the terrace and some laurels carved. The facades and roofs, as well as the entrance gate, were included in the Historical Monuments in 1994. The basement housed modern installations for the period (heating, laundry, cellars), reflecting the comfort sought by a wealthy bourgeoisie. Today, the villa remains a private property, while its former concierge, now Villa Ihintza, is also protected.

Located on Avenue du Général-de-Gaulle in Guéthary (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), the villa illustrates the taste of the Basque elite of the time for residences combining architectural prestige and landscape integration. Its eclectic style, between local tradition and classical influences, reflects the cultural exchanges and social ambitions of its sponsors. The accuracy of its location is estimated to be poor (level 5/10), but its official address remains Avenue du Général-de-Gaulle.

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