Located in the historic region of Labourt in the French Basque Country, the southwesternmost city of France. It is situated by the Bay of Biscay on ethnically Basque territories of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. Separated by the Bidassoa River and the island of Fasanos from the Spanish city of Irún, which it is connected to by a bridge. Trains passing through the city change wheels here due to the different gauge widths in Spain and France.
Hendaye is divided into two main parts:
The ancient medieval Basque town is located on a hill that offers breathtaking views of the ocean, the river mouth, and the foothills of the Pyrenees. In the central square stands a unique 17th-century monument – the “Great Cross,” made of stone, with symbols carved on it. According to one version, these symbols encode a prediction by medieval alchemists about a future global catastrophe. Another medieval monument is the Church of St. Vincent, built in 1598. It houses a 13th-century crucifix.
The second, coastal part of the city is relatively modern. Between the sea and the mountains stretches the longest beach in France, three kilometers long. The Deux Jumeaux cliffs descend directly into the sea. This part features a marina from where, by ferry across the river, you can reach neighboring Spain. During the excursion, you can see the Château de Yurtubie, built in the 14th century, and the whimsical Château d’Abadie, built in the 19th century in the neo-Gothic style, located on a nearby cape.
Along the beach are shops, hotels, casinos, and the Serge Blanco thalassotherapy center. Various water sports are offered for active recreation: surfing, kayaking, water skiing, etc.
