A transborder history
Due to its geographic position, Hendaye has always faced with the conflicts between France and Spain.
One of the key episodes of war worthy of mention took place in 1793, when the town was completely destroyed by the Spanish army.
At the turn of the 19th century, territorial disputes continued, although they were no longer bellicose.
In 1873, to prevent incidents between the fishermen on either side of the Bidasoa River, a naval station was created (Pierre Loti, the author of Ramuntxo, became a commander there in 1891) and a longboat was stationed there to guard the river. On 30 March 1879, the "demarcation of the French and Spanish jurisdictions in the waters of the fig-tree bay" was signed.
Up until 1936, both men and merchandise had to pay a right of way to cross the frontier bridge.
In any case, the rivalry began to tone down progressively in the 20th century, particularly during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). From the moment the conflict started, Hendaye received elderly people and children from Irun. The princess of Faucigny opened the doors of her domain at Haizabia to 200 orphans.
The border did not open again until 1948, when a train linked Paris and Irun.
It was quite a symbol!
