Royan is the capital of France’s famous Côte de Beauté, known for its pristine sandy white beaches, rugged cliffs and Atlantic waters. However, the seaside resort town is also home to a plethora of striking architecture, with dozens of post-war and Belle Époque buildings listed on its historic register. Among them is this nautically inspired, prow-fronted 1952 beach house by Pierre Marmouget, currently on the market for €850,000.
Marmouget, a protégé of architect Claude Ferret, designed the four-bedroom villa, a few metres from the Parc market and the Grande Conche beach, in sleek concrete and brick glass. Bold Modernist curves define the exterior and interior. The 100 sqm main floor is open plan and partially layered by an elegantly flowing mezzanine, guarded by iron rails that bend with the silhouette. It is held up with a series of ‘wings’ that form an interior sun shade. A cosier ‘fireside’ space is slightly raised to define it and leads to a dining space with sliding glass doors to the outside.

Photography: Archik

Photography: Archik

Photography: Archik

Photography: Archik

Photography: Archik

Photography: Archik

Photography: Archik

Photography: Archik
In the other direction, Marmouget incorporated an ‘interior garden’ for mature greenery.
The upstairs bedrooms benefit from heaps of natural light — it comes down from a circular pattern of roof lights and up from the main floor, as well as from glass-block walls and expansive windows. A concrete pergola on the exterior protects the rooms from direct sunlight.
The French property has 204 sqm of space in all and is listed with estate agency Archik. It suggests a course of renovations that should cost an additional €250,000 to 350,000 to bring it back to its sparkling 1950s glory.


