Château d'Ilbarritz, Manor house in Bidart, France
Château d'Ilbarritz is a manor house in Bidart situated on a hilltop overlooking the ocean, built with marble walls and featuring detailed wooden decorative elements throughout. Two indoor seawater pools are part of the property, with water pumped directly from the sea and then heated for use.
A wealthy baron commissioned architect Gustave Huguenin to design this property between 1894 and 1907, using his fortune from the steel industry. Its construction occurred during the Belle-Époque period, an era of lavish private estates along the French coast.
The name comes from a Basque term meaning "old place". The residence reflects the tastes of its builders, who brought together European art forms with local touches to create a space where different cultural influences meet.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as the property sits on a hillside with multiple levels to explore. The site is best experienced on foot, though paths between different areas can be steep at times.
The property housed one of France's largest pipe organs, specifically installed for the baron who was a devoted music enthusiast. A remarkable network of covered passages connected the main building to outbuildings and led down to the beach below.
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