Hendaye, close to the Spanish border on the Atlantic lies on the bank of the Bidassoa River. Starting from the vast and safe beach, a long arrow of sand almost bars the bay where the river ends. A modern seaside resort grew here among the pines and palm-trees.

Hendaye as seen from Spain

Behind the city, with the high tide, the Bidassoa becomes a quiet and glittering lake. And in front, Fontarrabie, old Spanish town, shows its fortified castle, its marina and lets hear the bells tinkling melody from the monasteries.

Hendaye, the marina

The site enchanted the writer Pierre Loti and Hendaye faithfully maintains his villa « Bakar Etchéa » the house of peace and solitude, near the flowered tottering ruins of a fortlet that no longer exists.

The rocks on the coast, Hendaye

Here, Pierre Loti at last found a truce to the irrevocable downfall of all things.

Fontarrabie as seen from Hendaye

In the old historic centre of Hendaye, the plinth of the cross, on the church square is decorated with mysterious symbols ans is known for such. The colourful Château of Abbadia was built between 1860 and 1870 by Viollet-le-Duc in the Neo-Gothic Style for the explorer of Abyssinia, d’Abbadie d’Arrast. Upstream Hendaye, was located the main road to Spain.

Saint-Vincent church at Hendaye

Here came François 1st, returning from captivity in 1526, blessing his children reaching the other bank, and the ransom. Simple sand-bank in the midst of the river ready to open up, the Pheasant Island, smallest condominium of the world, tells countless memories.

Interior of Saint-Vincent church, Hendaye

Triumphant Mazarin signed here the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. Louis XIV came and fetch his wife Maria-Theresa of Spain on the island in 1660.

Bay of Laya, Hendaye

Both French and Spanish courts then displayed their pomp and magnificence on those already rural and charming river sides.

Spiral staircase at Château of Abbadia, Hendaye

A smalll memorial was erected upon order of Napoleon III two centuries later. In 1940, Hitler met Franco on this island. The Spanish general then confirmed that his country would not get involved in WWII.

Château of Abbadia, Hendaye

This piece of land has remained a neutral territory between France and Spain, ruled by each of the two, every six months.