Aérium d’Arès
Visit the Aérium d’Arès
You may have already visited the town of Arès, but have you ever stopped off at the former Aérium? Situated on the beach in the middle of pines and other conifers, this site steeped in history is one of the most beautiful in the Bay of Arcachon. Just a few hundred meters from Camping les Écureuils, don’t hesitate to make a detour to discover this mythical Arès site!
A devoted family
This unique installation was created in the early 1900s at the request of Sophie Wallerstein. Her father, a shrewd banker and businessman, was a devotee of Saint-Simonian theories and instilled in her moral and social values. Possessing considerable financial resources, he bequeathed part of his fortune to her on his death. Thanks to his wealthy inheritance, which included the Arès estate, she was able to set up her famous Aérium. The Wallersteins, who devoted their lives to helping others, made it possible for the inhabitants of Arès (and the surrounding area) to benefit free of charge from the health center in the heart of the village. Generous and devoted, Sophie did not hesitate during the Second World War, when she was threatened because of her Jewish origins, to donate the management of her property to the French Red Cross.
A site dedicated to children
Owning the Arès estate and wanting to help the children, she called on a renowned architect to build the Aérium (Emmanuel Gonse). He erected a single-storey building designed to accommodate the children, with bedrooms, a refectory, several dormitories and various wings for their well-being. The 2000 m2 building was planted directly into the local vegetation. Sophie Wallerstein also commissioned a famous painter by the name of Henri Marret to paint frescoes in the common areas of the building to brighten it up. The aim was to make the children feel at home and provide them with the best possible care.
Marine care as a guiding principle
From 1913 onwards, the Aérium welcomed children of all ages for heliomarine cures. All under the age of 18 (they ranged in age from 3 to 17) and coming from modest, even poor, backgrounds, they were treated for illnesses such as rickets or anemia… The cures consisted of treatments based on sea air, sun, thermal baths… The Aérium was also popular for treating Tuberculosis, which was wreaking havoc at the time. At its peak, the Aérium could accommodate up to 130 children at any one time, divided by age group: 70 children aged 4 to 7; 30 boys aged 7 to 10; and 30 girls aged 7 to 16. He could come for a cure lasting several weeks, or simply spend a day on the estate. After treating many sick children between 1913 and 1970, the Aérium closed its doors in 1971 for lack of children to care for. It was subsequently used as a day-care center and vacation resort for underprivileged children, but had to close for good in the late 1980s because it was no longer up to standard. It was also listed as a historic monument in May 2000, but is now sadly derelict.
