Discover the coastal paradise of Hendaye

With 3 kilometres of fine sand, water at 23 degrees and superb views of the famous twin rocks and the cliffs of the Basque coastline, Hendaye's long beach is a veritable paradise for beach-goers. No wonder it's ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in France!

Watched over in summer and swept by waves that are often impressive, Hendaye beach offers a fantastic playground for thrill-seeking surfers. For beginners, it's also the ideal place to learn the art of surfing at the Ocean Beach surf school. A 2-hour group lesson costs 35 euros. You can also opt for a 3-day course at 96 euros (3 times 2 hours), for a progressive and in-depth learning experience. Open every day from 9am to 6.30pm.

Want to explore the biodiversity of the Basque seabed? Try scuba diving at PlanetOcean. Between scuba diving, freediving and snorkelling trips in the Basque creeks, we have a wide range of offers, from scuba diving for 35 euros to a day pass for 115 euros. From the age of 12, you can also take part in a training course for 345 euros. To take part, you'll need a medical certificate. Open every day from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 6pm.

Hendaye beach is particularly friendly, with a children's club and a wide range of activities for adults. Sandcastle competitions, yoga classes and zumba are just some of the activities on offer throughout the summer. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.

The seafront along the beach is ideal for a stroll at the end of the day, when you can admire the remarkable architecture of the neo-Basque villas in the light of the setting sun. For a drink with an incredible panoramic view of the beach, head to Hegoa Café. Open Mondays and Tuesdays from 9.30am to 9.30pm, Wednesdays from 9.30am to 7.30pm and Fridays to Sundays from 9.30am to 9.30pm, the establishment offers a wide choice of drinks and a varied menu at very reasonable prices. A little further away from the seafront, you can also enjoy an excellent dinner at Itsas zaldi, a very friendly restaurant serving excellent Basque-inspired cuisine using fresh, seasonal produce. The fish dishes are particularly tasty. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 12 noon to 1.30pm and 7.15pm to 9pm.

The town of Hendaye, which has a proactive policy of preserving sensitive natural areas, has managed to retain its wild aspect despite the influx of tourists, and the splendid Basque coastline, with its steep cliffs plunging sheer into the ocean, is the most flamboyant example of this. Dotted with idyllic little coves (unsupervised) and rich moorland vegetation, the corniche's imposing landscapes, with its famous flysch (breathtaking rock formations in vertical strata), stretch for 10 kilometres from Hendaye to Ciboure and can be explored along the coastal path. If an intense day's hiking doesn't scare you, you can follow the path along the Basque coast for 25 kilometres (7 km walk).

If you'd like to find out more about the Corniche and the area's abundant biodiversity, the Maison de la Corniche is open all year round, with an attractive permanent exhibition focusing on the special features of the Basque coastline. Temporary exhibitions on a variety of themes are also on offer. The Maison de la Corniche is ideal for a family outing, and admission is free. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm.

In July and August, guided walks of the Corniche are organised every Wednesday at 10am. Admission is free.

High above the corniche, overlooking the ocean, nestles an architectural curiosity of the first rank: the Château Observatoire Abbadia, which until 1975 housed an astronomy observatory and will delight heritage lovers. Built between 1864 and 1884 in a flamboyant neo-Gothic style and the home of ethnologist and geographer Antoine d'Abbadie, who was responsible for the first cartography of Ethiopia, the Château Abbadia is as enchanting as it is unusual. From the delightful landscaped garden to the Chapel with its shimmering stained-glass windows and the sumptuous library, you'll feel as if you've stepped aboard a time machine. As you wander through each of the Château's eclectically decorated rooms, where exuberant gilding and exotic orientalism intermingle, you'll be amazed. A magical place, not to be missed!

Château Abbadia is open Tuesday to Sunday from 2pm to 6pm. To preserve the fragile beauty of the site, daily visitor numbers are limited to 500. If you wish to visit the site at the end of the day, it is advisable to call +33 5 59 20 04 51 beforehand.