Burial place of the first pharaohs, sanctuary of the ill-fated god Osiris, temples serving as a backdrop to the magnificent polychrome reliefs with their delicate curves... Abydos certainly makes an impression. At the edge of the desert, and yet so close to human life, the site is laden with mystery and propitious to reflection. Vestiges from different periods, some of which are in ruins, are scattered around the sprawling site and cannot be visited easily. Regular digs are carried out here as much of the ground has still to be explored.