Promenade, fishing, sport and reverie: the Tarnosians are very attached to the Castillon site, a real place of memory. In a public information meeting on the future rehabilitation project, the remarks have rushed: “Why build social housing in such a place?” Will the park remain open to everyone? Will he retain his tranquility? »»
“This kind of reaction is systematic, we want social but not at home,” contextualizes Jérôme Charriton, representative of real estate programs for the Housing Workers Committee (Col). “Shaving everything in the bulldozer would be faster and cheaper,” continues the manager of the cooperative operating company, insisting on the issues: “Respecting the sentimental value of this building, ensuring the preservation of its general spirit and of course maintaining the public use of the park. »»
King of Spain and Sultan of Morocco
“Why should social housing only be done in buildings of buildings?” Shakes Marc Mabillet. Social housing in a castle, we like this transgressive side, concedes the mayor of Tarnos, but beyond the symbol, the utility is real, because the accommodation is the challenge of the moment. The population is aging. We will have to be able to welcome new families who will put their children in our schools! »»
The social history of the castle is not unprecedented. Of course, the estate has a large bourgeois and aristocrat past, with visitors such as the King of Spain or the Sultan of Morocco. He also housed a children’s house and a colonial center, from the 1950s. After his abandonment in the 1990s and the failure of a hotel project, he was bought by the city in 2006.
Lake and wood included, the whole property has become a municipal park, even though private promoters competed in lust. In the absence of means, different ideas had to be abandoned, such as his metamorphosis in artists’ residence. In the end, given the good relationship between the city and the pass, already a partner on other programs, including the emblematic Grandola, it is rental housing that will take place within the walls of the castle.
“The accommodation will be magnificent”
“Seventeen apartments are scheduled, but changes are still possible,” warns Jérôme Charriton in front of a considerably deteriorated building, a cumulative victim of vandalism, flames and elements. “The whole has suffered much more than we estimated at the start of its security,” he continues. The floors are out of use, the dangerous chimneys, the rotunda presents a risk of collapse, some stones threaten to burst under their own weight. »»
Basco-Lande RER project: a stopover planned in Tarnos
On the roadmap of the Basco-Lande RER project, which provides a train every half hour on an extended time slot, the region intends to create a “stop” in Tarnos on the Dax-Bayonne-Hendaye axis. Explanation
3D surveys are in the process of being given to Catherine Matveieff, architect of the reference heritage, recognized for its work to restore buildings such as the Fort de Socoa, Villa Arnaga or buildings of Petit Bayonne. With caution, Jérôme Charriton pronounces a start of reconstruction work in early 2026 for a delivery in 2027. He nevertheless expressed a conviction: “the accommodation will be magnificent”.
