The historic corsair city of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is home to two remarkable neo-Flemish Renaissance buildings whose facades stand out distinctly on Gambetta and République streets. In nearby Ciboure, the Ravel House represents the same architectural movement, reflecting the ancient maritime connections between these two communities and the Dutch ports through centuries of sea trade.

The building at 61 Gambetta Street presents a striking contrast to its surroundings with its pink brick facade that sharply differs from other structures lining the street. A decade ago, this distinctive building housed the bar-restaurant Le Gambetta, which locals frequently visited after movie screenings at the Rex cinema, recalls Jean-François Larralde, an art historian and member of the Giltzarri association. Today, the building faces a convenience store and houses a women's clothing boutique.

The architecture immediately evokes the old homes of northern France, representing what experts identify as the neo-Flemish style. According to Larralde, this architectural approach, like the neo-Basque style, belongs to the regional revival movement that emerged in the second half of the 19th century across various French regions including Normandy, Brittany, Savoy, and Provence. This movement drew heavily from the Dutch Renaissance period and served as a way for regions to assert their identity in relation to Spanish occupation, explains the former curator of the Guéthary Museum.

Constructed at the dawn of the 20th century on the site of a former building, this structure exemplifies French Flemish architectural characteristics. Larralde suggests that the original owner likely had connections to the Flemish region, noting that Flemish families still remain in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and that these historical links, though perhaps unexpected, genuinely existed between the communities.

The construction of this building coincided with the return of André Pavlovsky to the corsair city. The renowned architect, who had been trained and graduated in Paris, had previously participated in the reconstruction of Flemish cities following World War I before establishing his first office at the corner of Joseph-Garat Street and Victor-Hugo Boulevard. Pavlovsky would go on to design all the modern villas in the Sainte-Barbe and Chantaco areas, leaving a lasting architectural legacy in the region.

These neo-Flemish buildings represent more than just architectural curiosities; they serve as physical reminders of the complex historical relationships that connected this Basque coastal region to northern European trading partners. The pink brick facades and distinctive Renaissance details continue to tell the story of Saint-Jean-de-Luz's diverse cultural influences, standing as testaments to the city's rich maritime heritage and its connections beyond the traditional Basque architectural vernacular.