Social Events - Deadline booking Monday, June 10th > Excursions

Wednesday, June 26 - afternoon

Excursions and Activities 

We propose various activities or excursions for the free afternoon of Wednesday, June 26 : 

(cost is included in the registration fees; Accompanying persons who want to register will be charged, on site, depending on the chosen activity)

Please indicate your choice before Monday, June 10 : click here

Château Observatoire Abbadia   

Guided tour

Outstanding scholar, passionate about geography, astronomy and oriental culture, Antoine d'Abbadie (1810-1897) was at the origin of the first cartography of Ethiopia. Strongly attached to the Basque Country, he asserts himself as an ardent defender of its language and culture. His castle, of neo-Gothic architecture, is inspired by models of castles from the Middle Ages. On the facades of Abbadia Castle, crocodiles feed on elephants and monkeys admire the stars. Inside, the decoration is inspired by the scientist's numerous travels: African symbols, Arabic living room, Irish references ... The building also houses an old astronomical observatory and a chapel where Antoine d'Abbadie and his wife Virginie are buried.

Egiategia: underwater winemaking in the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz First immersion visit 

The cellars of Egiategia are located between the Untxin river and the pediment of Socoa.
You can discover the old house blocks where are stored the tanks and where the wines are worked.
Underwater winemaking is an innovative technique invented here in Ciboure by Emmanuel Poirmeur, agronomist
and oenologist. We will explain the history and (almost) all the secrets of this vinification in the heart of the cellars
and through videos. You will then go to the tasting party that will take place, if the capricious weather of the Basque
coast offers you the chance, on a terrace facing the ocean.

The tour (45 min.) includes:

- A visit of the winery and explanation of underwater winemaking

- The tasting of 3 wines of the Dena Dela vintage (White, Red and Rosé)   

Initiation to surfing

Hendaye is the ideal place to learn and progress in surfing safely.
The largest beach of the Basque coast, with its 3 km, seduces families and sportsmen.
On a gentle slope and ideally oriented, this fallback trail offers idyllic waves suitable for novices.
Course of 2h including 1h30 in the water. Material provided. 

Train de la Rhune

Get on the "Train de la Rhune" and discover a spectacular 360-degree view across Atlantic Ocean and Pyrénées. In Sare, close to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, this authentic cog railway was built in 1924 and brings you to the top of the legendary summit of the Basque Country, which dominates as far as the eye can see, the French and Spanish coasts as well as the Pyrénées.
Along the way, it is very common to see pottokas (small ponies) in pastures, approaching to greet tourists, as well as flights of birds of prey. It is advisable to go there with good binoculars, with a little luck you will be able to spot the sand dunes of the Landes, the observatory of Pic du Midi de Bigorre (located more than 150 kilometers!), And the snow-capped peaks of Hautes-Pyrénées... The temperature at the summit (905m elevation) can be quite cool, so it is advised to bring a jacket and do not forget sunscreen.