I'm Dutch and my husband is from the area. In 2005, while cycling through the village of Taussat, we were drawn to a piece of abandoned ground by the water. You couldn’t see the house from the beach or the street, as nature had completely overtaken. Three days later, we met a friend who worked in the property market and he told us about a house for sale on the seafront. It was the villa!
Built in 1903, 'La Tosca' villa is considered one of the finest examples of Arcachon's early 20th century Italian-influenced architecture, and more specifically of the elegant Genoese style that is its contemporary. It is one of the historic villas, most of which are located in the heart of Arcachon's winter town, but it stands out because of its spacious rooms overlooking the sea, vast grounds and unique seafront location. The house is two storeys high and built out of stone and brick. A tower, like a belvedere looking out over the sea, stands alone on the third floor. A flight of ten steps leads up to the first floor of the house. The restoration work was a real feat and carried out by local artisans who respected the original materials. When it was originally built, a natural spring supplied the house with drinking water. This spring water, which today feeds the natural swimming pool in the grounds, is drawn from 80 metres below ground and is naturally filtered by the multiple layers of stone, earth and sand.
The villa was built in 1903 by Germain Cumenge, Bordeaux's public prosecutor, who left a significant legacy in the region along with his family. La Tosca was then acquired in 1941 by the Sainte Marie family from Bordeaux, before being taken over by Mr Bardon, the mayor of Lanton, who named it 'Hurlevent'. We acquired it in 2005 and, after a major restoration, we gave it its original name back.
Villa Tosca stands on the seafront, discreetly nestled in a serene, tranquil cove between the Dune du Pilat and the Cap Ferret peninsula. The building is set in 8 000 m² of grounds, where there are local trees, works of art and a natural swimming pool which offers a relaxing alternative to sea swimming. The property is an invigorating place to stay, under the shade of maritime pines, in an intimate setting taking you far from the stresses of everyday life, with a decor that blends contemporary furniture with our personal memories. On request, a private chef can prepare dinner according to our guests' wishes, or concoct a menu using the finest fresh local produce, accompanied by wines matching the dishes. In the summer, guests can dine on one of the outdoor terraces, while admiring the colours of the magnificent sunsets. In the winter, they can admire the same colours, but alongside those of the open fire in the dining room and living room. Guests can directly access the beach from a gate in the grounds.
Just a few metres from the villa, explore the Domaine de Certes et Graveyron, a 530-hectare natural area in the heart of the Arcachon basin, offering an exceptional landscape of dykes, fishponds and wet meadows, and home to numerous bird populations, including some rare and protected species. Climb the Dune du Pyla, the highest dune in Europe, explore the Banc d'Arguin and Ile aux Oiseaux by boat or kayak down the Leyre. Wind your way through the hundred hectares of oyster beds, along the water, and past the tiny oyster-farming hamlets of the Cap Ferret peninsula. In Biganos, at the entrance to the Arcachon basin, on a 12-hectare site, "Caviar de France", synonymous with French excellence, offers guided tours from April to the end of September, by appointment only.
The villa can be rented out in full for weddings, receptions or family gatherings of up to 100 guests. There are eight bedrooms available on site. A wide range of classic hotels, bed and breakfasts and private villas are available within 5 minutes' walk of the villa, meaning that guests can stay close by.
ref 828648
The villa offers holistic retreats to reconnect, nourishing body, mind and soul for deep transformation and lasting change. Planned on an annual basis.
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