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A distinctive piece of French midcentury architecture has received a new lease on life in Cap Ferret, France. Bordeaux-based Touton Architectes renovated and expanded a 1960s vacation home known as a Girolle, preserving its architectural identity while adapting it for contemporary coastal living.
The project sits among the pine trees of the Cap Ferret peninsula, near the Arcachon Basin. Rather than replacing the original property with an entirely new house, the architects sought to retain the spirit of the Girolle design.
However, the renovation required extensive structural work. According to AD France, significant problems affected the existing building, including cracks in its façades. As a result, only about 20% of the original structure ultimately remained.
A 1960s Architectural Idea Returns to Life
The Cap Ferret Girolle cabin belongs to an architectural tradition that emerged in southwest France during the 1960s.
Architects Yves Salier, Adrien Courtois, Pierre Lajus, and Michel Sadirac developed the Girolle as an affordable prefabricated vacation-home concept. The first example was built in 1966 near the road connecting Bordeaux and Cap Ferret.
Its design combined traditional residential forms with modular construction. Moreover, large windows strengthened the relationship between indoor spaces and the surrounding landscape.
The concept became remarkably successful. Around 800 Girolle homes were eventually constructed across the Aquitaine region, according to architect Loïc Loisel’s historical overview of the model.
Touton Architectes Preserves the Girolle Character
For the new project, the owners—a Parisian couple—approached Touton Architectes knowing that the property required substantial reconstruction.
Still, maintaining the local architectural language remained important. Project architect Florence Lazime explained that the studio regularly works with the aesthetic codes associated with Cap Ferret.
Consequently, the renovated home retains several recognizable Girolle characteristics. These include open living spaces, extensive glazing and a large concrete fireplace.
Meanwhile, light pine paneling covers much of the interior. The architects selected wood with minimal visible knots, helping create a clean and restrained appearance.
Douglas Fir Helps the Cabin Blend Into the Landscape
Nature also plays a central role in the renovation.
The exterior is clad in Douglas fir, allowing the building to sit comfortably among Cap Ferret’s surrounding trees. Inside, natural materials continue the connection between architecture and landscape.
Furthermore, each bedroom provides direct access to the garden. This arrangement encourages residents to move easily between indoor and outdoor areas.
The architects also avoided relying heavily on mechanical cooling. Ceiling fans provide ventilation, while the home’s open configuration supports the relaxed atmosphere expected from a coastal retreat.
Designed for Guests Without Sacrificing Privacy
The owners wanted the house to accommodate family and friends comfortably. Therefore, Touton Architectes created generous communal areas alongside several smaller bedrooms and bathrooms.
At the same time, privacy remained a priority.
The primary suite sits inside a separate annex, giving the owners a private retreat when guests visit. An outdoor shower further reinforces the property’s vacation-home character.
Another notable feature appears between the kitchen and terrace. Accordion-style windows can open the kitchen counter toward the outside, effectively transforming it into an outdoor bar for meals and gatherings.
Minimalism Meets Cap Ferret’s Architectural Heritage
Rather than turning the property into an entirely contemporary villa, Touton Architectes used the renovation to reinterpret an established regional design.
The result combines 1960s modular architecture, minimalist interiors and modern indoor-outdoor living. At the same time, timber surfaces and simple forms allow the surrounding landscape to remain visually dominant.
The Cap Ferret Girolle cabin therefore demonstrates how an aging vacation home can evolve without completely abandoning its architectural history. While much of the original structure required reconstruction, the principles behind the Girolle remain clearly visible in its renewed form.
