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Unfortunately we don't have a lot of history of our Petit Bijou to share with you
at this time. This page of our website is a work in progress, so we will add
more information as we discover it. We do know, however, that it was built in
1648. Although modern amenities were added in 1999, you still get a rare
glimpse into 17th century building techniques throughout.
Below you'll find a news paper article from June 1999; it describes how
Ramon Echevarria, a Spaniard, renovated the house that year. I've translated
it to English for you.
at this time. This page of our website is a work in progress, so we will add
more information as we discover it. We do know, however, that it was built in
1648. Although modern amenities were added in 1999, you still get a rare
glimpse into 17th century building techniques throughout.
Below you'll find a news paper article from June 1999; it describes how
Ramon Echevarria, a Spaniard, renovated the house that year. I've translated
it to English for you.
Ramon's Love Affair
Do you remember, less than
a year ago, to the left of the
Oustau dou Saleys, the little,
old house covered in ivy and
overcome with pigeons. It
was owned by Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Toulouse and was
never used.
Then one day, about 2 years
ago, a Spanish couple from
Bilboa, Ramon and Bégona
Echevarria organized a
rendez-vous with a friend
from Lot. During a little visit
to Salies they were seduced
by the old houses along the
Saleys; rooves like no where
else in the world, etc.
Ramon, son of a Spanish
refugee, had come to Biarritz
for 18 years and had never
heard of Salies.
Do you remember, less than
a year ago, to the left of the
Oustau dou Saleys, the little,
old house covered in ivy and
overcome with pigeons. It
was owned by Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Toulouse and was
never used.
Then one day, about 2 years
ago, a Spanish couple from
Bilboa, Ramon and Bégona
Echevarria organized a
rendez-vous with a friend
from Lot. During a little visit
to Salies they were seduced
by the old houses along the
Saleys; rooves like no where
else in the world, etc.
Ramon, son of a Spanish
refugee, had come to Biarritz
for 18 years and had never
heard of Salies.
One day, Ramon stumbled across this small house that the waters of the Saleys
splashes against usually quite gently, but sometimes quite violently. He confided
in his wife "This house, I want it and I will have it." Thus he was on a quest to find
the owners. Finally, they agreed on a day to visit the old house...they gained
access to the attic through an interior opening that was neither a door nor a
window. It was horrible; dozens of pigeons, dead and alive, and hundreds of eggs.
At this moment, Robert Toulouse confided in Ramon "There's nothing that can be
done."
After a few seconds, Ramon came up with the idea that he could do something and
that he plans on reaching his goal. Today, this Spanish Basque from Bilboa who
lives in Saint-Sebastien (one hour from Salies)is at his house and is becoming,
each week, more and more Saliesian.
During many months, Ramon Echevarria battled to realize his dreams. He passed
his ideas on to Jean-Claude Caillouet and other Saliesian artisans. It would be
their responsibility to give them shape. Ramon and his artisans succeeded in
creating a masterpiece.
Whether from the bed of the Saleys or the "place de la Trompe", you can admire
its edifice.
We were privileged of being invited to visit this little marvel and Ramon didn't hide
anything from us. On one floor, you'll find the bedroom and a bathroom; upstairs
you'll find a living room and small kitchen as well as a toilette; and in the basement,
a summer kitchen where you can grill steaks, fish, etc.
But for the Saliesians who know this place, each one asks himself: "But does this
Spaniard not think that the Saleys doesn't rise to the level of the front door?" He
did think of it and a remedy too. Ramon Echevarria dug a hole in the wall at the
lowest point. When the level of the Saleys rises, the water enters the basement
through this hole but only 80 centimeters from the floor is nothing but stone and
concrete. So when the water recedes only the water leaves. The only thing he
has to do is spray the room out, because he installed a garden hose in the room
and in 30 minutes the room is clean. Simple, it pays to plan ahead...
We are astonished by the work of master carpenter, Mr. Michel Dussarat, by his
minuscule stairway as well as the wood arrangement. Ramon Echevarria's ideas
and means, the artisans hands and know-how created a masterpiece that
commands admiration. This little house along the Saleys is a new jewel of Salies.
Will there be other visitors who, one day, will fall as much in love with this village?
Ramon Echevarria comes almost every weekend to Salies to pass a couple of
days in this dream house.
MAISO
splashes against usually quite gently, but sometimes quite violently. He confided
in his wife "This house, I want it and I will have it." Thus he was on a quest to find
the owners. Finally, they agreed on a day to visit the old house...they gained
access to the attic through an interior opening that was neither a door nor a
window. It was horrible; dozens of pigeons, dead and alive, and hundreds of eggs.
At this moment, Robert Toulouse confided in Ramon "There's nothing that can be
done."
After a few seconds, Ramon came up with the idea that he could do something and
that he plans on reaching his goal. Today, this Spanish Basque from Bilboa who
lives in Saint-Sebastien (one hour from Salies)is at his house and is becoming,
each week, more and more Saliesian.
During many months, Ramon Echevarria battled to realize his dreams. He passed
his ideas on to Jean-Claude Caillouet and other Saliesian artisans. It would be
their responsibility to give them shape. Ramon and his artisans succeeded in
creating a masterpiece.
Whether from the bed of the Saleys or the "place de la Trompe", you can admire
its edifice.
We were privileged of being invited to visit this little marvel and Ramon didn't hide
anything from us. On one floor, you'll find the bedroom and a bathroom; upstairs
you'll find a living room and small kitchen as well as a toilette; and in the basement,
a summer kitchen where you can grill steaks, fish, etc.
But for the Saliesians who know this place, each one asks himself: "But does this
Spaniard not think that the Saleys doesn't rise to the level of the front door?" He
did think of it and a remedy too. Ramon Echevarria dug a hole in the wall at the
lowest point. When the level of the Saleys rises, the water enters the basement
through this hole but only 80 centimeters from the floor is nothing but stone and
concrete. So when the water recedes only the water leaves. The only thing he
has to do is spray the room out, because he installed a garden hose in the room
and in 30 minutes the room is clean. Simple, it pays to plan ahead...
We are astonished by the work of master carpenter, Mr. Michel Dussarat, by his
minuscule stairway as well as the wood arrangement. Ramon Echevarria's ideas
and means, the artisans hands and know-how created a masterpiece that
commands admiration. This little house along the Saleys is a new jewel of Salies.
Will there be other visitors who, one day, will fall as much in love with this village?
Ramon Echevarria comes almost every weekend to Salies to pass a couple of
days in this dream house.
MAISO
The Petit Bijou circa 1968
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