The city of Hendaye is located in the French part of the Basque Country, because on the other side of the river that separates it from Hondarribia is already Spain. The 3 km long sandy beach delights families and surfers alike, and the typical Basque architecture has its origin in the famous neo-Basque style.
During our visit we do not forget the Château d'Abbadia, the imposing mansion and the emblem of the Basque Corniche.
The geographical location of Hendaye made the city an important place for trade and interchanges between Spain and France. From a historical point of view, its location was problematic for a long time, as the city was involved in each of the conflicts between the two countries.
In 1793 Hendaye was besieged by Spanish troops. During this time, especially the historical quarter was destroyed. It was later rebuilt and later became the cradle of neo-Basque architecture.
Tensions between Spain and France subsided at the beginning of the 20th century. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Hendaye became a refuge for Spaniards who felt forced to flee by the conflict.
Today it is quiet here and Hendaye has become a well-known seaside resort, attracting French and Spanish visitors. In addition, quite a number of other nationalities, such as Dutch, English, Germans, cavort here. Besides sun, sand and sea on the 3 km long beach or the city center, the impressive Château d'Abbadia is recommended for a visit. It is located a bit outside in the north of the city.
On the southern side, we arrive at a pretty promenade known as Chemin de la Baie. On this oceanfront walk, we marvel at the breathtaking views of Txinguidi Bay and Hondarribia, the town on the other side of the Bidasoa River.
The 3 km long beach with fine sand, named Ondarraitz, is one of the main tourist attractions of Hendaye. This beach of Ondarraitz is popular with families and surfers, as it is both very spacious and has beautiful waves. The beach is large enough to find a quiet place away from the crowds, even in busy periods.
The architecture of the beautiful houses on the beach resembles the traditional Basque style, but also has a modern touch. Most of them were built by local architect Edmond Durandeau in the early 20th century. The architectural style is called "neo-Basque".
The promenade on the beach of Ondarraitz is known as Boulevard de la Mer and the former Casino Croisière, located about in the middle of the promenade, is hard to miss: Not only is it the only building located on the beach, but it is also one with a unique style. It was built in 1884 and is the only structure in Hendaye with Arab-influenced architecture. It was the casino in the place until 1980. Today it is a luxury hotel and a shopping center.
Château d'Abbadia is an extraordinary residence built by a personality even more eccentric than his estate: Antoine d'Abaddie.
The neo-Gothic building was designed and built between 1864 and 1879 by the architect Viollet le Duc. The facade is obviously inspired by medieval castles and contrasts strongly with its interior. In the castle we can find numerous other influences, such as Art Nouveau or oriental inspirations.
The building is so extraordinary and unique because it combines all the interests of its owner.
Born in Ireland in 1810 to an Irish mother and Basque father, Antoine d'Abbadie belonged to one of the 200 richest families in France. Nevertheless, not content to live off his family's fortune, he built his career according to the opportunities available to him and became a Renaissance man in the truest sense of the word.
An explorer who was passionate about geography, astronomy and the cultures of the world, Antoine d'Abbadie was known for his work in Ethiopia when he created the first cartography of the country. He also published a dictionary Amharic-French, a Semitic language in Ethiopia.
D'Abbadie is also a passionate advocate of the Basque language and culture, publishing numerous works on the subject. His contributions, incidentally, earned him the rank of Euskaldenaita, a term that means "father of the Basques.
As we walk through the castle, we find the interests and inspirations gained during his travels. Most striking are the paintings of Ethiopian customs displayed on the walls of the entrance hall.
We discover an Arabic-style smoking room, a chapel, a library and hear about the astronomical observatory, which includes a meridian telescope that was in operation until 1979.
D'Abbadie died in 1897 and bequeathed his chateau to the Académie des Sciences on condition that it continue his astronomical work. The Academy still owns the chateau today.
The Château d'Abbadia is located less than two km from the main beach in Hendaye and is open to the public. A visit is highly recommended for anyone interested in architecture, art and history. It is a unique building and a rare insight into the Renaissance period that is so rich in facets.
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