HouseCaen (14)

A home designed by an architect to resemble a ship perched on a seawall, at the foot of a sand dune with direct access to the sea, 25 minutes from Caen along the Pearl Coast within the Calvados department. Built in the 1970s by an architect who envisioned a house that resembled a boat perched on the edge of the sand dune, the villa stands out thanks to its original and contemporary look. With rectilinear lines and sharp angles, the house’s façade evokes a triangular sail, while the structure itself is made out of concrete and topped with a slate roof. Picture windows on the first floor have replaced the standard walls and unveil the horizon, making it feel as if you are in the cabin of a ship captain instead of a bedroom or office. A modest dirt path separates the house from the dune, followed by the sea, while a hiking trail, hidden behind the dune, makes it possible to hike and stroll along the seashore for several kilometres, all the while admiring the historical belle époque villas with typical Norman architecture.
Behind the house, a partially enclosed patio protected from the wind, sun and rain, provides breath-taking sea views. A spa with a shower, a six-seat Jacuzzi and an outdoor shower for post-sea plunges, the roof of which is a verdant canopy of mimosas, round out the exterior’s amenities. In addition, the garden is partially planted with decorative shrubs, while the garage is large enough to park both a car and a boat.