Sustainable tourism
Since 2012, Sorde Abbey has been committed to a sustainable tourism approach initiated by Pays Adour Landes Océanes and shared by various local tourism players.
Aware of the fragility of our still preserved territory, we are committed to :- minimize our impact on the environment,
- promote biodiversity,
- promote the local economy
- raise staff awareness
- educate visitors
This is why you will find within the enclosure of the abbey sorting points, local products (jams and kiwi juice, honey) and a garden with bee species for foraging insects.
Some players in the territory are involved, like us, in this approach. Find the list here.We occasionally offer "Nature and Culture" walks in partnership with the Permanent Center for Environmental Initiatives (CPIE) of Seignanx and Adour in order to make visitors aware of the environmental approach while discovering the heritage of the Pays d'Orthe. and Arrigans.
Qualité Tourisme
The Abbey of Sorde holds the national brand "Qualité TourismeTM" since December 2018.
Created by the State, this brand federates under the same symbol the Quality procedures undertaken for your satisfaction. Outward sign of trust, Qualité TourismeTM guarantees you quality services. The Abbey of Sorde was awarded the brand following an audit carried out by an independent external firm.
HISTORIC MONUMENTS
Sorde Abbey has been listed historic monument in its entirety since 2008.
Protection in respect of historic monuments is a public utility easement based on the heritage value of an asset (buildings or parts of buildings, gardens, objects, archeological remains, etc.), assessed on its artistic quality, authenticity, integrity, rarity, exemplarity, representativeness in relation to a corpus or type. The application for protection under historic monuments may be made by the owner of the property, the person concerned or any person having an interest in it (local authority, heritage association, etc.).
There are two levels of protection for historic monuments: registration and classification, highest level. Works on protected heritage sites is carried out under the scientific and technical supervision of the DRAC (Regional Direction for Cultural Affairs).
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
Sorde Abbey has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Camino de Santiago in France since 1998. It is one of the 78 monuments and footpaths that bear witness to the spiritual and material aspects of this pilgrimage.
All properties listed on the World Heritage List have outstanding universal value: their cultural and/or natural importance is so exceptional that it transcends national frontiers and their character is invaluable to present and future generations of all humanity. As such, the permanent protection of this heritage is not only the responsibility of the State Party or the property manager, but of all humanity.
Abbatia
The Abbatia network gathers abbeys in the New Aquitaine region, now open to the public. It allows these cultural and tourist sites to pool their resources and gain visibility with local governments, institutions and partners, as well as with audiences.
The regional influence of this network is aimed at enhancing cultural and artistic exchanges between the past and the present and at organizing quality school receptions.
