le Domaine d'Abbadia

Located at the southern tip of the Aquitaine coast, the Domaine d’Abbadia is a 65-hectare natural area managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral (Coastal Conservancy). This unique site offers a landscape of steep flysch cliffs (layered rock formations), rolling meadows, and heathland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Exploring its marked trails reveals exceptional biodiversity, from heritage orchards to pastures where Manech sheep graze, all facing the iconic rock formation known as the "Two Twins," which rise proudly at the foot of the cliffs. At the heart of this verdant setting stands the majestic Château-Observatoire Abbadia. Built by Viollet-le-Duc for the scientist Antoine d'Abbadie, this masterpiece of neo-Gothic architecture seems straight out of a fairy tale. Between its oriental-inspired interior décor and its astronomical observatory, the castle tells the story of its illustrious owner's passion for travel and science. It is a place where scientific rigor meets pure romanticism, offering one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Basque Country.