Discover Chalosse in Landes | Landes Holidays France

01

Saint-Sever, medieval city

The small town of Saint-Sever has an exceptional heritage with an abbey founded at the end of the 10th century, streets full of history, the Jacobin convent of the 13th century and the Cap de Gascogne Museum of Art and History, numerous mansions from the Renaissance to the 19th century or the Maison Sentex, with its incredible 4th-century mosaics. Don’t miss the infinite panorama over the Adour valley and the vast moorland from the Morlanne lookout.
Before leaving Saint-Sever, stock up on local products: there are many well-established producers and preservers of Landes farmhouse chickens, guinea fowl, capons, fattened chickens, foie gras and fattened ducks.

02

Mugron, nestled at the heart of the hills

As you leave Saint-Sever, head west to the village of Mugron. On the way, stop off at the Moulin de Poyaller, the Abbaye de Maylis or Château de Poyanne.
In Mugron, after a visit to the Condrette bullfighting arenas and the lookout point at Place Frédéric-Bastiat, take time to explore the world of Rouge Garance, a boutique and gallery offering furniture, fabrics, carpets, objects and unique works of art, under one of the most beautiful timber frame structures in France.
To cool off, take a quick detour to the Saucille leisure centre, on the banks of the Adour: a wonderful place for swimming and relaxing in the inland Landes. Then, head to the bastide of Montfort-en-Chalosse, about ten kilometres away. You can even cycle or walk there along the Chalosse cycle path.

03

Monfort and the Museum of Chalosse

The bastide of Montfort-en-Chalosse offers superb panoramic views over the Landes countryside. Take a look for yourself from the lookout point at Place François-Dupaya or from the terrace of the restaurant Aux Tauzins. Beginning at the covered market, a small path links the narrow 13th century alleyways to the remarkable buildings of the village, going through the Payot Garden and the Fountain of a Hundred Steps – 150 to be precise. You mustn’t leave Montfort without visiting the Museum of Chalosse, below the village on the Carcher estate. It tells the story of countryside life in 19th century Chalosse, offering guided tours, exhibitions and activities for the whole family.
After this, head south to the Luys region, not without making a slight detour via Donzacq on the way, to discover the marvellous world of the Ducazaux Farm.

04

Gaujacq and Amou, the Chalosse charm

Perched on a promontory surrounded by cereal fields, meadows and streams stretching as far as the eye can see, Gaujacq is also home to a remarkable château, a sumptuous seigneurial residence built in the 17th century with a “garden of delights”, an Italian-style gallery and period apartments with unspoilt charm.
Just next door is the Pépinière Botanique et Plantarium association, run by Frédérique and Jean Thoby, who cultivate nearly 3,000 varieties of plants and organise the French Meeting of Collectors’ Nurseries every year. A must-see visit for all lovers of plants and gardens.
From Gaujacq, go a little further into the Chalosse region, passing through the charming villages of Pomarez, the mecca of the Landes bullfighting, and Amou, with its café terraces which come alive on Sunday mornings, on the occasion of the weekly market held under the immense plane trees of La Técouère.

05

Brassempouy and the Archeopark of the Lady of Brassempouy

The name Brassempouy is world famous, thanks to the Lady with the Hood, a delicate figurine carved in ivory nearly 25,000 years ago, found at the end of the 19th century in this small village. The site now hosts PrehistoSite, which immerses more than 20,000 visitors each year in prehistory with a museum, reconstructions of life-size animals, workshops and demonstrations of flint knapping, fire lighting, prehistoric hunting, parietal art, ornament making, and more. The village is also worth a visit with its curious church, the restaurant Bocal Local with 100% local and artisanal food, farm inns such as the Moulié farm, where duck reigns supreme. On the way to Hagetmau, there are many possibilities for a stopover: the lodge hotel La Petite Couronne, with its wood-heated outdoor spa and swimming pool, the Auberge du Laurier with its friendly, delicate cuisine, or the Lacs d’Halco hotel-restaurant with a splendid room looking out over the water and greenery.

06

Hagetmau, the town of sport and history

The small town of Hagetmau is nicknamed the Pearl of Chalosse, and for good reason. It is renowned for its flowers, for being sportiest town in France, and has numerous bars, restaurants and shops. Sports enthusiasts and nature lovers will find plenty to satisfy their passion, including Cité Verte, an indoor Olympic swimming pool, as well as a golf practice area, tennis courts, an approved athletics track, kilometres of shady paths along the Louts and around Lake Agès, basketball, gymnastics, judo, boxing, and more.
Hagetmau is also home to one of the jewels of Romanesque art in the region: the Crypt of Saint-Girons, from the beginning of the 12th century, with marble columns topped by capitals with historiated carvings.

07

Samadet and the art of earthenware

The next stage takes you from Chalosse to Tursan, with the village of Samadet at its gateway. For centuries, this village has cultivated unique, original know-how in the art of earthenware. The Musée de la Faïence et des Arts de la Table reveals the secrets of this history in more than 300 pieces.
In the heart of the village, another place to visit, the Maison de la Céramique du Tursan, has been established on the site of the former Royal Faience Factory. It presents a permanent collection of more than 130 contemporary pieces and also has a shop. A few steps away, Muriel has her own workshop where she perpetuates local know-how with passion and talent.

08

Geaune, the capital of the Tursan vineyard

Further east, towards the Gers, stands the bastide of Geaune. With a square surrounded by arcades and 25 strictly square plots of land, the Tour des Augustins, the main vestige of the convent founded in 1401, the Languedoc Gothic-style Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a medieval garden (winner of the Rubans du Patrimoine prize) and a 15th century bell tower, the bastide of Geaune has many assets to offer.
Today it is the headquarters of the Cave des Vignerons Landais and the heart of the small Tursan winemaking area. This “secret” winemaking area, which occupies 450 hectares spread over some forty communes, produces red wines, rosés and whites that are increasingly sought-after. Plus a breath-taking view of the Pyrenees!
A wine tasting is a must, at the Cave des Vignerons Landais cellar or at one of the chateaux of the appellation, before setting off again in the direction of Eugénie-les-Bains, not without first visiting the small hamlet of Pimbo, the oldest bastide in the Landes, with its astonishing 12th century collegiate church.

09

The small paradise of Eugénie-les-Bains

The village of Eugénie-les-Bains owes its reputation to one man: Michel Guérard. It was here that the master of nouvelle cuisine settled in 1974 with his wife Christine Barthélémy, heiress of the Chaîne Thermale du Soleil, developed the concept of “slimming cuisine” and in 1977 obtained his third Michelin star, which he still holds today.
The couple have thoroughly transformed the small village of Eugénie-les-Bains to the point of perfection both in its gastronomy as well as in the thermal baths and hotel business. The village of Eugénie-les-Bains remains accessible to all, which cultivates its warm, rural spirit. A paradise tucked away from the world, where you can take care of yourself, rest and enjoy the thermal baths and numerous restaurants in the village.

10

Aire-sur-l'Adour, the town full of history

The last stage of this journey in Chalosse and Tursan takes you to the gates of the Gers, to Aire-sur-l’Adour, via the small village of Duhort-Bachen, a former bastide with a church, a miraculous spring and a castle. Push on to the Château du Lau, admire its glazed bricks and typically Flemish architecture.
In Aire-sur-l’Adour, a large village straddling both banks of the river whose origins are lost in antiquity, the religious heritage buildings are worth a visit: the cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, built in the 11th and 12th centuries, imposes its mass in the heart of the village while on the heights, in the Mas district, stands the church of Sainte-Quitterie which houses the magnificent white marble sarcophagus of Saint-Béat of the Visigoth princess Quitterie, decorated with sculptures from the 4th or 5th century. A must for pilgrims on the Via Podensis.