Hendaye

Basque architectural heritage and generous cuisine

Your holidays in Hendaye will undoubtedly be unforgettable! This seaside resort in the Pyrénées-Atlantique is home to 17,000 inhabitants, but its population increases significantly during the summer period. It is located at the south-western tip of France, separated from Spain by the Bay of Txingudi. Hendaye is an integral part of the Basque Coast and the Province of Labourd. Its neo-Basque architecture will leave you breathless, as will the famous Jumeaux hendayais, the result of erosion of the rocks by the ocean. You'll also appreciate its generous cuisine, rich in local produce. There's piperade, for example, a vegetable speciality combining tomatoes, onions and mild green chillies. Axoa will also delight your taste buds: this festive dish is made from minced beef or veal mixed with peppers, onions and chillies. Among other regional specialities, succumb to elzekaria, a poultry-based dish.

Henday's rich heritage

It's impossible to get bored in Hendaye as there are so many sites to discover and activities to enjoy! The church of Saint-Vincent, also known as the Paroisse Notre-Dame de la Bidassoa, springs to mind. Recognisable by its white walls and red roof, it overlooks the bay of Chingoudi. Don't forget your camera to capture its gilded altarpiece and the many paintings inside. Holidaymakers visiting Hendaye can also visit the Château d'Abbadia, an impressive building constructed in the 19th century. Listed as a historic monument, it is fitted out with superb neo-Gothic furnishings and conceals countless secrets. In particular, you can enter the observatory and admire the decor of the chapel and the various salons.

Simple pleasures are usually the most memorable! One activity that's accessible to adults and children alike is a walk along the coastal path. Enjoy the grandiose scenery with family or friends and breathe in the sea spray at the top of your lungs. The seabed off Hendaye amazes tourists every year, so be one of the lucky ones! Congers, lobsters and torpedo rays are just some of the species to be seen beneath the surface.

Must-see sites around Hendaye

Booking your holiday rental in Hendaye doesn't mean you can't explore the surrounding communes. The Biarritz Aquarium, formerly known as the Musée de la Mer, attracts the curiosity of many holidaymakers in Aquitaine. Here you can admire barracudas, seahorses and sumptuous rays ! Among the aquarium's other residents, you can marvel at the brilliant colours of the mandarin fish and the blue surgeon. In Biarritz, be sure to visit the church of Sainte-Eugénie, a neo-Gothic edifice housing a stained-glass window depicting the Nativity. Art and history buffs in south-west France also won't want to miss the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Its altarpiece, made up of 18 statues of saints, is well worth a visit! The sandy beaches and wild coves along the Atlantic coast between Hendaye and Capbreton (Capbreton) are other must-sees.