Hendaye near the Spanish border



The map of Behobie at the Spanish border
Hendaye and the Spanish border at Behobie
Hendaye's position on the French-Spanish border has meant that a number of pivotal historic meetings have taken place there, in particular on the Isle de Faisans which straddles the border in the estuary of the river Bidassoa.

Kings have discussed the future of Europe, treaties have been signed and royal prisoners exchanged, and Franco reiterated his neutrality at a meeting with Hitler at the local station.

In 1660 Spanish and French delegations met for the signing of a contract of marriage between Louis XIV and the Spanish princess, Marie-Thérèse, and each stayed on their own side of an imaginary border down the centre of the Pavilion where the meeting took place.

Still today the island is policed for six months of the year by the French, and for the other six by the Spanish.
Hendaye itself has good beaches and some fine trees and shrubs which alleviate the onward march of tasteless modern buildings.
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