Edmond Rostand and Cambo-les-Bains
Arrival at Cambo-les-Bains
Who is Edmond Rostand? 
A key figure in French literature, Edmond Rostand wrote plays that have become classics, the best-known of which is the unforgettable Cyrano de Bergerac.
After the triumph of Cyrano de Bergerac and a meteoric rise to fame, at the age of less than 30, he was propelled to the heart of society, elevated to the rank of national pen, represented throughout the world and enjoyed unrivalled prestige! However, he shunned his public role to settle in a sumptuous Basque retreat, his magnificent Villa Arnaga.
Born in Marseille on April1, 1868, Rostand revealed his artistic talent from an early age. After a difficult start, his success and fortune came in 1897 with the premiere of Cyrano de Bergerac, a play that catapulted him to national stardom. After Cyrano came the success of L’Aiglon and his election to the Académie française at the age of 33.
But at the same time, tired and anxious, Rostand contracted a serious lung disease during rehearsals for L’Aiglon. He consulted Professor Grancher, Louis Pasteur’s former assistant and a leading specialist in lung diseases, who advised him to convalesce at Cambo-les-Bains.
In 1900, Edmond Rostand discovered Cambo-les-Bains and the Basque country, accompanied by his wife Rosemonde and two sons, Maurice and Jean. The mild climate and rugged beauty of the Basque region immediately appealed to him. He returned in 1902, after a brief but disappointing return to Paris, where he lived. He then decided to settle permanently in Cambo-les-Bains and build the house of his dreams.
“I’ve never been attached to a place before. That’s something new for me. (…..)
Edmond Rostand
What Paris? Streets? Boulevards? … I’m not that man anymore.
I wanted to breathe the air of this country… and now the country has taken me”.
Who is Rosemonde Gérard?
“And as each day I love you more, today more than yesterday and much less than tomorrow”
L’éternelle chanson – Les pipeaux – Rosemonde Gérard
If you were familiar with these verses, did you know that Edmond Rostand’s wife, Louise Rose Etiennette Gérard, nicknamed Rosemonde, wrote them?
In 1889, at the age of 24, she published her first collection of poems, “Les Pipeaux”, which was awarded a prize by the Académie française. Married in 1890 to Edmond Rostand, they had two children, Maurice and Jean. Enthralled by her husband’s talent, she chose to sacrifice her career to serve the glory of her poet, from whom she separated in 1913, before returning to writing. Rosemonde Gérard died in Paris on July 8, 1953.
Villa Arnaga, one man’s dream
The birth of Arnaga
After weeks of research, Edmond Rostand found the perfect spot to build the future Arnaga estate, a spur at the confluence of the Nive river and a small stream, Arraga, from which it took its name.
Once Edmond Rostand had made his decision, everything had to happen very quickly, and Arnaga’s construction was strikingly fast! On July 15, 1902, the sale was ratified and the architect appointed. On his father’s advice, he called on architect Joseph-Albert Tournaire, Premier Grand Prix de Rome. The collaboration between the two men worked perfectly: by March 1903, the plans were ready, the contractors selected and work began. Edmond Rostand is fully committed to the creation of his gardens, even going so far as to bring in flowers by railcar from the 1906 Paris Horticultural Exhibition. It took just 3 years, from 1903 to 1906, for Edmond Rostand’s ideas to be transformed into a work of stone and vegetation.
Labourdine-inspired architecture
A neo-Basque house
Villa Arnaga resembles a traditional Labourdine farmhouse. But don’t let that impression fool you! While inspired by the typical house of the region, there are many differences.
Arnaga is one of the earliest examples of neo-Basque architecture. At the beginning of the 20th century, this new architectural movement transformed traditional farmhouses into comfortable, modern homes, adapting them to technical progress and the new needs it brought with it.
Bringing nature into the rooms, opening large windows on all sides, designing loggias and balconies designed to “get some fresh air” – this is the new program of neo-basque architecture linked to the seaside constructions on the coast.
The Villa Arnaga was exceptionally modern for the early 20th century, and also reflects Edmond Rostand’s attachment to the hygienic trend of the 19th century driven by Louis Pasteur’s discoveries: electricity in every room of the Villa, hot water, hydrotherapy room, and so on.
Recognized artists
Arnaga’s decoration
Nothing is too good for Arnaga! The most modern comforts, trompe l’oeil, precious fabrics, frescoes by fashionable painters, the rarest woodwork and Chinese lacquer. Decorated by the famous writer and poet himself, it contains artistic masterpieces designed for him by the painters of the time: Georges Delaw, Gaston la Touche, Clémentine-Hélène Dufau, Jean Veber and others.
Our favorite ❤️
Recommended by the architect Tournaire, Jean Veber (1868-1928) designed the enchanting décor for Rosemonde’s boudoir. Fairy tales remain his favorite subject. Here you can admire Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Puss in Boots and Cinderella….
A little Basque Versailles
The gardens of Villa Arnaga
On the outskirts of his spacious home, Edmond Rostand designed a series of gardens covering more than 15 hectares. His youngest son, Jean, an eminent French biologist and academician, said of Arnaga’s garden that his father “really created it from scratch. He had drawn up the entire plan himself, meticulously, lovingly, with the same attention to detail that he lavished on his theatrical works”.
To the east, where the sun rises, it gives rise to a French-style garden, set against a backdrop of the majestic Pyrenean mountains. A large pergola seems to enclose the garden space. Three distinct areas make up this natural landscape painting: a bed of annual flowers, a large water mirror reflecting the house, and the large pond lined with topiaries (decoratively sculpted plants) and lawns.
To the west, where the sun sets, a flower meadow once flourished, now transformed into an “English” garden.
Edmond Rostand put a lot of effort into creating his gardens, even going so far as to bring in flowers by railcar.
Over time, Arnaga’s gardens have undergone various modifications: the canal and pergola were added in 1912, the gardens were modified by Mr. de Souza Costa, to whom the family sold Arnaga in 1923, water fountains were installed by the municipality following its purchase of the estate in 1961, and the regular garden was restored between 2012 and 2015.
Villa Arnaga has been awarded the “Remarkable Garden” and “Remarkable Trees” labels.
Arnaga, a garden born from the ground
The Arnaga construction site is in full swing. Earthworks, planting, paths and flowerbeds take shape under the watchful eye of the workers. Rostand wanted a garden in his image, grandiose and immediate. Gone are the young, feather-duster-like trees; he demands mature trees to give Arnaga the look of a century-old estate. Fourteen-year-old lime trees are removed and replanted, followed by plane, cypress and yew trees, and take the road to Arnaga. It’s an astonishing sight for camboards to observe this “walking alley”, a procession of aged trees, “lugged like asparagus” on carts for a month. Thanks to Rostand’s ambitious vision and the hard work of his men, Arnaga seems to have risen from the ground like a castle frozen in time.
After Paul Faure
A brief chronology of Arnaga
Early 1900s, Edmond Rostand contracted a serious case of pleurisy during rehearsals for L’Aiglon at the Sarah Bernhardt theater in Paris.
The Professor GranchetPasteur’s collaborator and eminent member of the Académie de Médecine, advised him to seek treatment at Cambo-les-Bains, a small spa with a “toni-sedative” climate.
Edmond Rostand and his family, consisting of his wife Rosemonde Gérard and his two sons, Mauriceand Jeanmoved into the Villa Etchegorria in the autumn of 1900, during a period of healing.
Fallen in love with Cambo and the Basque country, Edmond Rostand returned in January 1902 to settle here permanently and build the house of his dreams. So begins the search for the ideal place to erect it…
During a ride on horseback, Rostand finally discovered the perfect location for his future home, a spur at the confluence of the Nive and a small stream, theArragafrom which the estate took its name.
Once the poet has made his decision, everything has to happen very quickly. The deed of purchase was signed in July 1902 and the architect chosen. They will be JosephAlbert Tournairearchitect of the Caisse d’Épargne de Marseille and Grand Prix de Rome in 1888, who came to Cambo in August 1902.
By March 1903the plans were ready and the contractors chosen: the future house would be off-center towards the spur to leave a vast space for the gardens.
Work begins and the site is quickly levelled. The Arnaga site is teeming with workers. Paul Faure recalls:“There are so many workers on this plateau, still so recently untamed, that you don’t know whether it’s a house being built or a town.”
Throughout the construction period, Edmond Rostand and Albert Tournaire corresponded almost daily, exchanging notes, observations, ideas, sketches and designs to improve the plans for the future home and gardens.
Arnaga’s construction is astonishingly fast. In 1906, Edmond Rostand his wife Rosemonde and their two sons, Maurice and Jean moved into a house still under construction, still to be decorated and furnished.
It’s worth pointing out that, for its time, Arnaga boasts all modern comforts. modern comforts heating (calorifier), hot water, telephone, etc.
A little anecdote In May 1906, Rosemonde visited the Horticultural Exhibition in Paris. For the Arnaga gardens, she selects extraordinary trees as well as rare and unique plants, such as the gold medal-winning Himalayan rhododendron and Japanese iris. She buys such a large quantity of plants for Arnaga that a whole wagonload will be needed to transport them !
Edmond Rostand died on December 2, 1918 of Spanish flu, at the age of 50 years old.
In 1922, a few years after the poet’s death and unable to afford the costly upkeep of the estate, his family parted with Arnaga’s furnishings in an auction. large auction sale which lasts 10 days, and then of the Villa Arnaga itself by selling it to Mr de Souza Costaowner of the Cambo thermal bathsHe had it demolished and rebuilt 200 meters away in 1930 in the Art Deco style by architect Henri Sajous.
OnSeptember 29, 1961the municipality of Cambo-les-Bains purchased Villa Arnaga from its second and last owner, Madame Flaisman. The house is devoid of furniture and has lost some of its original decor.
Since its purchase in 1961, the Municipality has been working to bring Villa Arnaga back to life. Thanks to donations from the Rostand family, private individuals and purchases at public auctions, the house is gradually regaining some of its lustre. Even today, the Villa Arnaga conservation team carries out meticulous research based on the 1919 inventory and period photos, in order to refurnish the house in a manner similar to that of the Rostands’ era.
In 2023, 60 pieces from the Mobilier national were added to the Villa Arnaga collection under a deposit agreement.
Villa Arnaga is now the Edmond Rostand Museum. It is classified Historic Monument and has been awarded the Museum of FranceMaison des Illustres, Remarkable Gardens and Remarkable Trees.
Practical information 
Villa Arnaga is open from March 24 to November 3, 2024.
Tel: +33 (0)5 59 29 83 92
Where to eat in Cambo-les-Bains
Auberge Chez Tante Ursule
Enjoy a friendly and convivial atmosphere in this family restaurant located in the old town, near by the Fronton. Traditional cuisine.
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Le Bellevue
Located in the center of Cambo-les-Bains, Le Bellevue offers you a really nice terrace with panoramic view. French and regional inventive cuisine.
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Salon Cyrano
For a family or friends dinner, have a break on the sunny terrace. Tearoom, salads, salty and sweet tarts, homemade cakes, ice-cream. Every sunday, discover the homemade brunch.
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Oihana – Salon de Thé et de Bien-être
Oihana, tea and wellness room, offers a gluten-free and cow’s milk free catering, on site or to take away, and a sale of organic tea in bulk. The menu changes every week.…
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Mendi Berdea
Whether it’s a lunch break or an evening out with friends or family, we’ll do everything we can to make you want to come back again and again. The Chef will introduce…
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Café du Trinquet
In the middle of the city center, the Maisterena family welcomes you warmly for a complete breakfast. During all the year, sandwiches, quiches, toasted ham and cheese sandwiches.
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Terrae
Grégory and Lucile welcome you to their new establishment, TERRAE, in the heart of Cambo-Les-Bains. After several years working together in Michelin-starred establishments across France, they are delighted to be able to…
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
La petite pause
Tearoom, salty and sweet tarts, salads, homemade cakes. Think about booking your table.
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Café des Allées
Varied menu in this brasserie. A lot of sweet and salty crepes choice. Tearoom.
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Restaurant Ama
The AMA restaurant offers semi-gastronomic cuisine with products selected from our local producers. Let yourself be carried away by a menu combining Basque terroir, creativity and travel inspiration. Enjoy our weekday lunch…
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Le Central
Brasserie, tearoom. Menu of the day.
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
La Villa Bleue
Italian and regional specialities. Homemade deserts, a simple and generous cuisine !
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Au Mai Nuna
Located in a holiday resort, this restaurant offers traditional and regional cuisine. During summer, enjoy the outside seating area with a view on the mountains and the covered pool.
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Le Pavillon bleu
This restaurant takes place in the park of Cambo-les-Bains’ baths and has a panoramic terrace with a view on basque mounts. The restaurant offers two kind of cuisine : gastronomic and dietary…
CAMBO-LES-BAINS
Restaurant Aldaburua
Aldaburua, a restaurant, bar and hotel in a local, modern and very friendly atmosphere! In the heart of the village of Larressore, a stone’s throw from Espelette, taste the conviviality and local…
LARRESSORE
Restaurant Haize Hegoa
In Itxassou, a small Labourdin village known for its cherries, the Haize Hegoa brewery welcomes you below the pediment in a green setting where the mountains surround you. Come and enjoy a…
ITXASSOU
Restaurant du Fronton
The hotel restaurant Le Fronton, located in the heart of the village of Itxassou, has been run by the Bonnet family for 4 generations, perpetuating the tradition of a warm welcome and…
ITXASSOU
Restaurant Txistulari
Traditional restaurant located in the small town of Itxassou at the foot of the mountains. Jean-Jacques Usandisaga, the chef offers a generous and authentic local cuisine, made with fresh seasonal products. Chipiron…
ITXASSOU
Restaurant le Chêne
At the foot of the mountains and the church, in a green setting, an ideal place to rest, visit the Basque Country and take a gastronomic break. The restaurant du Chêne is…
ITXASSOU
Ferme Auberge Komeiteko Borda
C’est sur les hauteurs d’Hasparren, quartier Urcuray sur la route de Cambo-les-Bains que se trouve la ferme auberge de Komeiteko Borda, aux pieds du Mont Ursuia. Ce lieu paisible réjouira autant les…
HASPARREN
Auberge du Fronton
This inn has a bar area, a large room and a beautiful sunny terrace facing the fronton of the town. Parking nearby. In a cosy atmosphere, you will be able to taste…
USTARITZ
Pizza Giorgio Pasta & Cucina Rapida
Genuine Italian pasta and pizza made by a Sicilian artisan, salads and chef’s plates.
USTARITZ
Ferme Erreka
The Jauregui family shares their passion for quality products, mainly from their pig farm. The farm is located at the foot of the mountains, where the animals graze peacefully on the grasslands.…
ESPELETTE
Restaurant Bergara
3km from Espelette in the small village of Souraide, Bergara is a family restaurant run by the Massonde family for 5 generations You can discover a simple and authentic cuisine, highlighting the…
SOURAIDE
Restaurant Ogibarnia
In the heart of the village of Macaye, the family inn Ogibarnia opens its doors to you. Here, passion is passed on from mother to daughter Elodie, Martine her mother in the…
MACAYE
Restaurant Argi Eder
A timeless moment… An exceptional frame on the heights of Ainhoa! Rustic and elegant decoration (air-conditioned dining room or terrace in front of the hills)! A creative and generous cuisine by Philippe…
AINHOA
Restaurant Ithurria
Formerly a stopping place on the way to Saint Jacques de compostelle, the place has been converted into an outstanding bucolic place for a gastronomic stopover. Xavier Isabal will introduce you to…
AINHOA
Restaurant La Maison Oppoca
In the depths of the village, the head chef Dominique Massonde welcomes you in this house of the 17th century. In the dining room or in the terrace, you will appreciate a…
AINHOA
Restaurant Ur Hegian
The restaurant Ur-Hegian proposes you a traditional cooking. Numerous regional specialities as the paella, the salmi of wood pigeon, or still the “axoa” of calf : a full-flavored cooking!
AINHOA
Restaurant Barberaenea
Very old Basque inn The Elissetche family has been perpetuating, in an old setting, the family tradition of hospitality since 1875 The church square, where the restaurant is located, is set back…
BIDARRAY
Restaurant Eskualduna Chez Katina
Located in Saint-Martin-d’Arrossa, our establishment is 17 km from the Spanish border and 45 min from Biarritz. Built in 1745, Maison Eskualduna has always been in the family. Today, the third and…
SAINT-MARTIN-D’ARROSSA