Wood, pride of Arcachon Bassin
From the modest fisherman's hut to the large villas under the pines, the wooden architecture offers a beautiful signature to the Bassin of Arcachon. A traditional material formerly reserved for the most modest habitats, which has become very trendy, a new playground, an escape from worldly life. Who has never dreamed of sleep in a cabin ? To realize this childhood dream, and even that of an adult, the Bassin in Arcachon offers a vast choice of wooden-stitched accommodation.
Once upon a time there were pretty cabins by the water…
Fed by the Leyre and the tides, Arcachon's Bassin constitutes the quality of its waters an oyster farming area of prime importance. Since the end of the 19th century, generations of fishermen have given birth to oyster farming districts whose the wooden huts line up in tight rows towards the pontoons and the dykes where their boats swing. Always modest in size, some are distinguished by their jolie colored facades which are reflected on the waters of Bassin.
“Unknowingly, the fishermen of the time initiated sustainable development and short circuits, the maritime pine being ubiquitous and cheap. »
says Jean Dubrous, head of an architecture firm at La Teste de Buch.
A tradition that continues
Still according to Jean Dubrous: “times have changed but cabins are still a source of inspiration! ».
In the mid-1960s, as second homes developed, Bordeaux architect Pierre Lajus and his associates Salier, Courtois and Sadirac invent a new housing concept: the Villa Girolle. These modular wooden houses designed to be extended using a bay system can thus be adapted to each family. An ideal holiday home, accessible to all, ecological, modern and in harmony with its environment ! Most of them have been renovated but still retain their original structure.
Even more impressive arehe colonial-style villas of the architect Guy Lallemand where wood is illustrated in peripheral verandas and balconies, a vast porch and ornate balustrades.
Last example, the Bartherotte huts which bear the name of a famous Cap Ferret family. Behind an apparent simplicity, they are built with specific assembly techniques developed over time by the Bartherotte family. Particularity of size, they are exclusively made with maritime pine planted, cut and prepared locally.
A symbol: the famous cabins on stilts...
The City of La Teste de Buch and the Coastal Conservatory, respectively manager and
beneficiary of the Ile aux Oiseaux, work for the preservation and defense of "Cabanes Tchanquées" which are an integral part of Girondin heritage and which represent for the inhabitants as for the tourists the emblem of the Bassin of Arcachon. The first Cabane, the one with the white shutters, had to be completely rebuilt about fifteen years ago.
Number 3, the one with the red shutters, is in turn
threatened. Due to the state of disrepair of its pillars, fortification works were carried out in 2021 but they are not enough to ensure the durability of the structure. It is therefore urgent to save the building. After many studies, the decision was made to "rebuild identically" Cabin No. 3. That is to say, to have to deconstruct in order to reconstruct it entirely.
Fashion or environmental awareness?
Both : " It is fashionable to have a wooden house when you live on the Bassin! underlines Michel Lavillenie, architect in Lège-Cap Ferret. However, there are some recent examples that take into account ecological and environmental concerns.
The holiday village VVF de Claouey is intended to be an example of eco-citizenship, respect and enhancement of heritage: the location of the chalets placed delicately on the ground has been defined depending on the location of the trees and groves that have been preserved, the hot water comes from mini-cumulus in order to save energy…
Finally, let us mention the accommodations of the House of Nature and Réserve Ornithologique du Teich or even the Pereire Beach Club, all wood, warm, a skilful architecture thanks to which the interior merges with the exterior, a large wooden cabin, Bartherotte style, assembled and dismantled each season to preserve the beauty of the landscape.
When wood inspires the creation of third places
The Shared Workshop Cabin is a 400 m2 space in Gujan-Mestras dedicated to woodworking, creation and entrepreneurship. Packages are offered to professionals and individuals for access workbenches, tools and machines independently or accompanied by a professional. Are also organized collective workshops for creating objects or discovering woodworking techniques.
More informations : www.lacabane-workshop.com
A pledge of excellence for Bassin forests
The state forests of Lège et Garonne and Teste de Buch were certified in June 2022 "Forest of Exception®", a label that distinguishes the excellence of management of these forests, recognized for their unique heritage in terms of history, landscapes, biodiversity or high value wood. To date, only 14 forests hold this label in France.
The summer 2022 fire affected 1036 hectares of state forest at La Teste de Buch out of the 6880 ha of labeled dune forests.
More informations : www.onf.fr
Find all the local service providers on our Bassin Arcachon application, available on Call: https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/bassin-darcachon/id409095527 and Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.youteam.sibav2&hl=fr
