Every year I am taken by surprise with the arrival of spring.  What a wonderful season! At Villa Kaioa it’s a pure enchantment.

Colours of spring at the villa Kaioa… the Mind and Heart fall under the spell of spring

A celebration of colours. Blue.  The sky is such a deep blue colour that it seems to go on forever. The white façades of the houses stand out so clearly.  The sea takes on turquoise hues.  Green.  The sweet green of the grass is speckled with splashes of white and yellow. Daisies, in their thousands, flirt among the lawns.  Hedges display their new, pale green shoots and white, pink and red flowers.  Trees remain impatiently sober, exhibiting the promise of discreet buds. And the bamboo…

A celebration of perfumes.  Freshly-cut grass, the burgeoning flowers of spring and the salty smell of the sea wafts on the air, letting everyone know that it has woken under the warming sun.

A celebration of sensations. The pale rays of winter give way to the bright sun that, with its arrival, warms our shoulders, brightens our moods and lightens our hearts.

The days are long: the hour has changed.  Although sometimes still chilly, we can make the most of the lighter evenings and come back to the warmth of a log fire.

May… June… life on the Basque Coast is sweet in spring.  At low tide it is possible to walk from the beaches in Bidart to those in Biarrtiz and come across a few people who have had the same good ideal.  It’s true that the water is still cold, but not cold enough to prevent paddling along the lapping waves while watching the more feisty take a swim.  The beach restaurants have opened up their doors again.  The Erretegia Crampotte, or fishing cabin, is just a few meters from Villa Kaioa.

In spring, one has the time to do things… a round of golf in the morning and an excursion to the inland villages in the afternoon… surfing when the waves allow and a walk in Biarritz… an overwhelming desire for relaxation?  Take a well-deserved rest at Villa Kaioa…

It’s raining? So what!  It’s just the excuse you need for a little pampering at Thalmar, Villa Kaioa’s thalassotherapy sea-water spa partner.  Or take time for a yoga lesson with Catherine at Villa Kaioa.

Yes, those who have the choice are bound to enjoy a week’s holiday in the months of May and June…

Following the civil war in Spain (1936-1939), Franco’s victory provoked the exile of the Basques and their government, presided over by José Antonio de AGUIRRE.

Father José Luis RODRIGUEZ followed them to Paris and became part of the PNV (Partido Nacionalista Vasco).  This priest was born in Bilbao on 16th October 1904.  He was in charge of catholic publications and was very attached to the Basque culture.  The Caudillo, who forbade the use of the Basque language, Euskara, and, in keeping with his practice of punishing people of the cloth who opposed his regime, banished him.

After the Second World War, his sister Higinia and he came more and more often to Bidart, where they rented a small house on the Corniche belonging to the Etchayde family.  Artists faithful to the Basque tradition, they created a ceramic workshop “Kaïoa” (the seagull), above the Erretegia cliffs that, being rich in clay and shale, provided them with the greater part of their raw materials.  In summer, their friend, Miss Leroux, would sell some of the articles they produced in her local souvenir shop “Fandango” that used to be where the bodega is now.

Pichet Kaioa (photo Martine Castel-Dargassies)

They were thus able to live from the sale of what they produced, supplying customers with a varied range of useful objects (jugs, plates, dishes, cups, etc.) or religious items, such as Madonna and child statues.  The brother and sister used varied colours but green and dark red are more often than not featured along with geometric patterns and decorations inspired by nature.

In 1958 Father José Luis Rodriguez designed the coat of arms that is displayed on the façade of Bidart town hall and which reminds us of the whale fishing history of the port, with the ship, harpoon and Koskenia lighthouse.
The older members of Bidart describe the Priest as being a highly original, intelligent and cultivated man with kind eyes that shone beneath his traditional Basque beret.  He said the daily mass in our church and went to La Roseraie on Sundays for the children of workers in the mining company, the Charbonnages de France, who had been sent on holiday to the Basque Coast.  He also opened his workshop to the children of Bidart where they were able to learn about the art of ceramics; one of these children is now currently working in the renowned porcelain factories in Sèvres.

The cross on his grave where he lies in the cemetery of the parish church is decorated with the head of Christ that he himself made and placed in front of this is a white marble plaque with an engraving “with gratitude from the children of La Roseraie”.

As an illustration of his humour and kindness, M. J. Garat, a Bidart resident, tells this anecdote: “a couple of holiday makers had been in raptures over a beautiful vase and couldn’t decide whether they could buy it or whether they should put it back on the shelf.  He asked “Do you like it?” and as they eagerly told him that they did indeed like the vase, he said “Well then you can take it!  You can send me a cheque when you can….” Flabbergasted, they couldn’t believe their ears, but the Priest insisted and the lucky couple left with their precious pottery…  “You should always trust people”, he said, “and anyway, if they don’t pay, it doesn’t matter….!”

From Martine Castell-Dargassies,   with the particular help of Christiane Sarrasola and Jacques Garat.
100 years of Bidart heritage.

Villa Kaioa in Bidart and Parcours Sensations in Ilbarritz have joined forces to offer you all inclusive golfing holidays.

Make the most of your stay in Villa Kaioa to acquire some basic golf techniques or to improve your swing and your handicap.  Several different formulas are available, adapted to your level and objectives. Lessons lasting 2 hours or 3hr 30, according to the formula chosen, every day for 5 days, for adults or with your children.

After your golf lessons, you can relax at the Villa, explore the region, go hiking or why not .. test out your newly acquired skills on one of the 12 golf courses in the region.  With the Biarritz Golf Pass you will have access to a different golf course every day.

Don’t forget to book your golf lessons when you reserve your stay at Villa Kaioa.
Villa Kaioa also offers Thalasso, sea-water, spa holidays and Basque Culture holidays.

The Makilas Eiffage 2009 - 24th edition - takes place from the 18th to the 23rd of may 2009.

This tournament, for amateurs, ladies and gentlemen, 1st and 2nd categories, happens in two times : double program on 18th and 19th may; single program on 20th, 21st et 22nd may.

5 days to be confronted on the most beautiful links of the area : golfs of Chantaco and la Nivelle in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Golf ok Chiberta in Anglet,  Golf du Phare in Biarritz, golfs of Arcangues and Hossegor and the Makila Golf Club in Bassussary.

5 days of entertainment : welcome cocktails, dinners, price-giving, welcome gifts… for the competitors and for persons accompanying.

Villa Kaioa in Bidart is the best place to get easily to the places of the tournament , as well as a wonderful place to relax. Villa Kaioa is for 6 persons, competitors and persons accompanying.

Registration deadline (according to availability) on saturday 16th may 2009.

www.lesmakilas.com

When the weather is good, it is easier to use up energy, to do some sports; it is easier to laugh, to eat, to relax and of course all that is very good for us.  However, too few of us really take time out to look after ourselves.
In winter, we feel less dynamic, less relaxed and little more stressed.

So why not take the opportunity of enjoying some spa treatments at the sea-water therapy centre?

Les Thermes Marins in Biarritz, just 3km from Villa Kaioa, has marine energy spa treatments, for women and men, that are designed to put back the punch in our tired bodies.  I must say that, personally speaking, I’m opting for the Beauty and Health treatment, which combines fitness and beauty care, or maybe the “Bulle de Détente” treatment that will enable me to maintain my ZEN state of mind.
Or even, the half-day packages and treatments that can be organised on a made-to-measure basis.

Let me tell you a little secret: the Thermes Marins de Biarritz provides an extra warm welcome for Villa Kaioa visitors.
A 10% discount is given on treatments and packages, 10% on à la carte treatments when the total amount is 60€ and over.
Villa Kaioa visitors may also enjoy half-day access to the sea-water pool with sauna, Turkish bath, aqua gym lessons at a reduced price.