Unspoilt coast and big lakes in Landes

The Coast of Natural Beauty and Great Lakes

The True Size of the Landes

Welcome to the land of vast open spaces, ocean beaches as far as the eye can see and large lakes with calm and inviting waters bordered by fine sand and silent pine forests.
Whether it is swimming, water sports, idleness, horse riding, walking or cycling, the North coast of the Landes offers a wide range of activities in unforgettable landscape settings.
It is your chance to let go and escape the real world.

Sanguinet, the ideal town

On the border between the Landes and the Gironde, Sanguinet is a small haven of peace in an exceptional environment, with a lake ideal for bathing and water activities, from the peaceful to the sporty, its fine sandy beaches, little ports, calm and shallow waters , and large forested areas where hiking paths and cycling trails are accessible to all. There are numerous campsites along the shores of the lake, offering a peaceful family holiday with your feet in the water, just a few pedal strokes from the lake and the ocean.

Biscarrosse, the essence of the Landes

The large town in the north of the Landes, nestling between the two main lakes, is a young and active town, rich in pleasure and entertainment. Just a few kilometres from the Dune du Pilat, it offers a diverse range of landscapes and atmospheres: the superb swimming spots of the North Lake, Navarrosse, Maguide or Mayotte; the South Lake which is home to one of the rare hydrobases in France, a Hydraviation Museum and the main marinas; and in between, the wild and preserved Petit Etang, linked to the two lakes by the coastal canal. Biscarrosse also has a popular seafront, with a casino, surf schools and 4 kilometres of beach. The town is surrounded by a vast pine forest.
The best the Landes has to offer.

Parentis, a true representation of the Landes identity

This town next to Biscarrosse enjoys an ideal location on the shore of the South Lake. The perfect spot for relaxing, swimming, water sports and cycling. Parentis is also a hotspot for carp and pike-perch fishing. The town cultivates its Landes identity, with a focus on its bullfighting arenas, the only ones in the north of the Landes, hosting Landes bullfighting shows, gastronomic know-how and the local ferias which bring together thousands of people at the beginning of August. Another particularity of Parentis is its oil fields, discovered in 1954 and still in operation today. An activity that fully blends into the natural oasis of Parentis and its surroundings.

Sainte-Eulalie-en-Born, the authentic town

Heading south, make a small detour to Gastes, a charming lakeside village with small marinas and quiet beaches, away from the summer hustle and bustle. The village of Sainte-Eulalie-en-Born also has its own beach and ports, at the southern tip of the lake. You feel totally disconnected from the rest of the world. Here you can enjoy a wide range of water sports or simply let yourself be lulled by the charm of nature. The Vélodyssée passes through Sainte-Eulalie-en-Born. This long cycle route follows the Atlantic Ocean from Roscoff to Hendaye and covers 130 km of the Landes. The ideal way to continue discovering this unique territory, heading towards Mimizan.

Mimizan and Aureilhan, the towns between the lake and the ocean

The Sainte Eulalie stream connects the lake of Biscarrosse-Parentis to the lake of Aureilhan, which is smaller (340 hectares all the same!) but also more intimate than the previous ones. It is bordered by the villages of Aureilhan and Mimizan. Here again, all water activities (stand-up paddle, Hawaiian boats, canoeing, sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, etc.) are permitted and lazing around is highly recommended! There are a number of themed trails for walkers: the Flower Walk with 300 varieties of plants, a Terra Aventura treasure hunt, accrobranche and a multitude of cycling routes in the heart of the forest. Mimizan also has a superb 9-hole golf course and a popular waterfront with bars, restaurants, markets, shops and entertainment at all hours. But also, a few kilometres further south, lies the beach of Lespecier, one of the wildest on the Atlantic coast.

Contis and Saint-Julien-en-Born, the hidden towns

A small seaside resort with a village-like atmosphere, set behind the dune along the Contis stream. Canoeing down the river is a must during the summer months. In Contis, everyone knows each other. The resort cultivates a particular state of mind which can be summed up in a few words: nature, freedom, privacy and, of course, surf. Contis is highly appreciated by celebrities for its discretion and for its International Film Festival, every year in the month of June. The village is home to five kilometres of beaches dominated by the only lighthouse on the Landes coast : built in 1862, it culminates at more than 50 metres, offering a view of the ocean and the forest at its summit, well worth the 183 steps to reach it.

Lit-et-Mixe and its vast open spaces

Lit-et-Mixe is a small village set back from the coast, in the middle of the forest, at the crossroads of the great natural spaces characteristic of this part of the Landes: pine forests bordered by deserted beaches stretching as far as the eye can see. This vast territory has turned towards green tourism with many natural areas and small campsites which are very much appreciated by families in search of peace and quiet. It is a place of wild beaches, like the one in Cap de l’Homy: a small municipal campsite, a restaurant, a handful of houses set on the dune and that’s all. The rest is untouched, majestic spaces, endless waves for surfers of all levels, walking and cycling paths.

Vielle-Saint-Girons and its unspoilt nature

Vielle-Saint-Girons has many assets: a lakeside beach to the north of Lake Léon, with its small pier, a “guinguette” and calm waters; two ocean beaches: Saint-Girons to the north of the municipal territory and Lette Blanche, further south. With no other construction than a first-aid post and a car park under the pines, it is considered to be one of the most natural beaches on the Landes coastline. Between the two is the Arnaoutchot naturist domain and private beach, an institution for all those who like to travel light! On your to-do list: the walk starting from Pichelèbe which runs along the Huchet stream through dunes, ferns and cork oaks, up to the mouth, the nature is surreal!

Linxe and Castets, the green resorts

Just a few kilometres from the coast, Linxe and Castets are two green resorts which are deeply rooted in their territory and faithful to their traditions, in the heart of a lush nature sitting between forests and streams, to be discovered via the pedestrian circuit of Binaou or the Lou Camin de Hè cycle route. Linxe is also home to the Belle Epoque castle, built in the 18th century, which offers a charming and peaceful stopover. In Castets, take the Heritage Circuit to admire the giant sequoia planted in front of the town hall and certified as a Remarkable Tree of France. You can also go down the river Palue by canoe or kayak or walk along the paths that criss-cross the immense municipal territory.

Leon and the River Huchet

Life in the village of Léon revolves around its market, shops and restaurants, and above all the vast lake bordered by forests and small beaches. It offers a wide range of water and outdoor leisure activities. A wilder part of the lake is also ideal for fishing. But the particularity of Lake Léon is that for more than a century, a brotherhood of boatmen has been offering visitors the opportunity to sail down the Huchet stream in their small traditional “galupe” boats. A green paradise between the ocean and the forest, the Huchet stream flows from Lake Léon and meanders through dunes, peat bogs, pines and cork oaks for seven kilometres, to its mouth on the beach of Moliets, in a grandiose setting. An unforgettable experience and a great place to discover during your holiday in the Landes.