Château d'Abbadia
A neo-Gothic castle and observatory built by the explorer Antoine d'Abbadie on a cliff at Hendaye. Its interior is filled with Ethiopian motifs.
The castle was designed between 1864 and 1879 by the architect Viollet-le-Duc for the explorer and astronomer Antoine d'Abbadie, who spent many years studying in Ethiopia. Inside are an observatory, a library, and many inscriptions in Arabic and Amharic along with exotic decoration. It now belongs to the French Academy of Sciences. Admission is about €10, and summer visits are best booked in advance. The castle sits within the Abbadia coastal reserve, where a coastal footpath leads to the Twin Rocks.
Opening hours
About 10:00–18:00 (may close at midday; check official website)
Nearby sights
- Corniche Basque
- Fort de Socoa
- Ciboure
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Guéthary
- La Rhune Rack Railway
- Cité de l'Océan
- Plage de la Côte des Basques