What remains of the work of the architect Edmond Durandeau in Hendaye-Plage?

At the end of his life, Edmond Durandeau already had trouble accepting the developments in a neighborhood which he had largely drawn. Sixty-five years after his disappearance, successive works on the villas redraw and sometimes erase the trace left by the artist.

“For him, his house and Hendaye-Plage, it was his corner of paradise. He saw the development of paid leave, mass tourism, and buildings that were built around his home. It was difficult, ”says Nathalie Hoarau, her granddaughter.

Also elected municipal, Edmond Durandeau did not hesitate to display his opposition. “On the Florida roundabout, they wanted to install an EDF transformer. It collapsed, because it changed the composition of the site. He left the municipal council room and resigned in the process. »»

“His idea was that a house should not remain frozen. Provided that it is intelligently done ”

“Disabled villas”

Since his death, many arrangements have been undertaken on the villas he had imagined. “His idea was that a house should not remain frozen. Provided it is intelligently done. Which has not always been the case, since in my opinion, some villas have been strongly deteriorated, “said Nathalie, herself became an architect, before delivering an anecdote:” Etche Ferdia, for those who speak Basque, that means Green House. Well, today, the villa has been repainted in red… ”

In Hendaye-Plage, the two granddaughters of Edmond Durandeau still continue to see, on each street corner, the trace left by their grandfather. “We are very happy and grateful that the town hall has renamed the square of the palm roundabout with its name. It is a way of recognizing its imprint and making it indelible. »»