Abbey of Arthous Fun and educational activities for children in Hastingues

Once upon a time… Arthous, an abbey nestled in the verdant countryside of the South Landes region, invites you to walk in the footsteps of those who have occupied it over time, from its foundation in the 12th century to the present day: canons, farmers, archaeologists, scientists, artists…

This historic monument, with its architectural curiosities, holds astonishing surprises. Look up and discover the incredible richness of the bestiary sculpted in its stones, where fantastic and real animals mingle. Explore the floors of the buildings once reserved for the canons and discover its exceptional treasures… for Arthous is an abbey, but not only that…

Exploring the site is also fun: it is permitted to touch, manipulate and play in several of its visitor areas.

Open to the public from April to October.

Arthous Abbey is open:

• From April 1st to June 30th, from 2pm to 5:30pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
• From July 1st to September 30th, from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
• From October 1st to 31st, from 2pm to 5:30pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Closed on May 1st.

PRICES

• Full price: €5;
• Reduced price: €3.50;
• Workshop fees €3;
• Free entry upon presentation of proof for those under 25, people with disabilities, residents of Hastingues, staff of museums in France and tourist offices in the Landes region, and for everyone on the first weekend of each month.

permanent route

• Permanent Trail – Children's Special

Awaken your senses! At Arthous, you are welcome to touch, manipulate, and play throughout the permanent exhibition. Four areas are available to discover the history of the abbey, its surrounding area, its incredible prehistoric treasures, and its unique medieval sculptures.

Families, and especially children, can be equipped for these trails with a bag containing Môm'Art game cards designed as investigations (from 7 years old), coloring for the youngest… and pairs of binoculars to get closer to the fabulous decor of fantastic or real animals that hides under the cornices of the apse of the church or on its capitals.

One area offers models to manipulate in order to discover the architecture of the abbey and reconstruct Romanesque or Gothic vaults.

Reproductions of the sculpted bestiary on the apse allow you to imagine the Romanesque decoration of the church with your fingertips.

A family-friendly investigation is available online on the Wivisites app: " The mystery of Arthous or the quest for the forgotten secret ".

Let yourself be surprised by the " Treasure Room " which offers an encounter between 3 exceptional and famous horse sculptures dating back more than 17,000 years, and the contemporary gaze of the photographer artist Claire Artemyz.

The " Salle du Pays d'Orthe ", named after the territory where the abbey was founded, can be discovered in the form of chronological, historical and very playful modules, from prehistory to the present day.

Agenda 2026

Find the full program for the 2026 season here !