Hendaye, a concentrate of the Basque Country
30 minutes from the campsite, Hendaye is the last seaside resort on the Basque Coast before Spain. Discover a remarkable natural and cultural heritage, the Domaine d'Abbadia and its incredible castle-observatory without forgetting the largest fine sandy beach on the Basque coast!
Hendaye, sea side
If Hendaye is so popular with campers, it is especially for its Grande Plage, the longest beach in the Basque Country! It extends over 3 km to the delight of families and surfers. At the very end of the beach, you can see the famous rocks "the 2 twins" that mark the beginning of the Basque Corniche. A real postcard decor! It is therefore not surprising that it is regularly ranked in the Top 10 of the most beautiful beaches in France.
Along the way to the bay, we arrive at the marina of Hendaye where some fishing boats, beautiful sailing boats and the shuttles that connect Hendaye to Hondarribia meet. It's time to let yourself be tempted by a boat trip across the bay of Txingudi or a sea fishing trip to spice up your camping trip in the Basque Country!
Hendaye, city side
Start your visit of Hendaye with the church of Saint Vincent and the enigmatic Fulcanelli cross (the most famous alchemist of the 20th century), then the Gaztelu Zahar pediment where the most experienced pelotaris meet. As you approach the beach district, take the time to admire the beauty of the neo-Basque villas, the Moorish-inspired facade of the casino and the former luxury hotel Eskualduna built in the 1910s.
On the banks of the Bidasoa, we discover the old Port of Caneta and the last guns pointed at Spain. The historic district of Hendaye was destroyed by the Spanish in 1793. From this period, the ruins of the old fort Vauban d'Hendaye remain. You can also see the villa Bakhar Etchea where the writer Pierre Loti lived and the Moorish House built at the end of the 19th century by Count Jules de Polignac.
The castle-observatory of Antoine d'Abbadie
On the heights of Hendaye, Abbadia Castle really looks good. Built between 1864 and 1884 in a neo-Gothic style by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, this fantastic castle invites you to immerse yourself in the universe of its owner, Antoine d'Abbadie, an eminent Franco-Irish scientist, geographer and explorer who dedicated his existence to travel and science, Ethiopia and astronomy in particular.
Inside, you can discover the astronomical observatory and its extraordinary meridian telescope, a vast library with a large number of floors, the main room, the Arab lounge and the chapel where Antoine d'Abbadie is buried.
From one end of the castle to the other, one is struck by the richness of the decorations and the mixture of genres, from the radiant Gothic to the most delicious orientalism: gargoyles, crocodiles and snakes carved in stone, furniture designed by Edmond Duthoit, medieval fireplace in Angouleme stone, ebony woodwork, walls covered with buffalo leather, Indo-persan silk, Ethiopian wall paintings... an inspiring place that never ends to surprise!
Walks and hikes around Hendaye
On foot or by bike, Hendaye offers something to satisfy the curious nature lovers, hikers and walkers. Starting with the Sentier du Littoral, which winds along the Basque Corniche between Hendaye and Guéthary (25 km), the bay of Txingudi and its pedestrian walk with a view of Île aux Faisans, not to mention the cycle path of the Vélodyssée which runs along the Basque coast for 50 km.
The favorite of the campsite? The first section of the GR 10, between Hendaye and Olhette, which passes through the Col d'Ibardin and its ventas.
