Abbaye d'Arthous

About the museum

The Arthous abbey was founded in 1167 by Premonstratensian canons, on the border between the Landes and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. It was meant to evangelise the local population and to provide lodging for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. On its lands, it later founded the bastide of Hastingues. The Wars of Religion of the 16th century seriously damaged it.

After the Revolution, the site became a farm; in the 20th century, scholars and archaeologists saved it from ruin. Listed as a historic monument in 1955, it belongs to the Landes department, which restored it. The restoration campaigns carried out between 1960 and 2010 uncovered many carved stones from the 12th and 13th centuries.

The abbey now houses the Centre départemental du patrimoine, a playful and interactive museum. Its archaeological collections include prehistoric objects from the rock shelters of Sorde-l’Abbaye, Gallo-Roman remains and medieval sculptures. Three Magdalenian horse sculptures, more than 17,000 years old, are the most precious pieces of the departmental collection.

Highlights

• Treasure room: three Magdalenian horse sculptures, more than 17,000 years old
• Medieval sculpture room with elements of the church’s west portal and the tympanum of the Adoration of the Magi
• Exhibition “Il était une fois… Arthous” in the former canons’ cells
• Pays d’Orthe room, from prehistory to the present day
• Playful route with replicas to touch and models to assemble

Permanent exhibitions

• Il était une fois… Arthous – In the former canons’ cells, the exhibition traces the successive lives of the site, from its foundation to the present day.
• La salle des Trésors – Three horse sculptures discovered in 1961 near Sorde-l’Abbaye, including the largest known Magdalenian free-standing sculpture, are presented through the eyes of photographer Claire Artemyz.
• La salle des sculptures médiévales – Restored sculptures from the abbey, including elements of the church’s west portal and two monumental tympanum fragments depicting the Adoration of the Magi.

Operated by

Département des Landes

Visitors per year

approx. 8,963

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first weekend of every month.

Free admission with proof for residents of Hastingues, staff of the Musées de France and tourist offices in the Landes. Payment by bank card, cheque, cash and Chèques-Vacances.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is listed as accessible to people with disabilities. The route includes touchable replicas of the sculpted bestiary. Dogs are not admitted, except guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

Playful route: replicas to touch, models to assemble, and a play bag for children with game cards, binoculars and colouring sheets. Workshops for children and adults (€3). Play area on site.

Getting there & parking

Address: 785 route de l’Abbaye, 40300 Hastingues, a few kilometres from Peyrehorade.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop and play area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit