Hendaye, Border municipality in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France.
Hendaye is a border town on the Atlantic coast in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of France, sitting where the Bidasoa River meets the ocean. The municipality lies in the Basque Country within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and borders Spain directly, with the river forming the natural line between the two countries.
Saint Vincent's church was built in 1598, marking the separation of Hendaye from Urrugne parish and the beginning of its life as an independent settlement. Over the centuries, the town grew through its position on the frontier and developed into an important crossing point between France and Spain.
The name Hendaye comes from the Basque Hendaia, referring to its position between river and ocean. Visitors today see a bilingual town where street signs appear in both French and Basque, and the local identity remains present in everyday life.
The railway station connects the town with Paris and Madrid, making it a practical stop for travelers moving between both countries. The seafront promenade and town center are easy to reach on foot, and many visitors use the place as a base for trips into Spanish Basque Country or along the French Atlantic coast.
The Château d'Abbadie on the coast combines Gothic Revival design with an observatory for astronomical research, serving a scientific purpose. Inside, ornamental details and inscriptions reflect the builder's passion for travel and oriental cultures he encountered in Africa and Ethiopia.
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