Lacanau, between lake and ocean

Published on July 18, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Until the early 20th century, Lacanau was just a small commune whose economy had nothing to do with holidaymakers and parasols on the beach. The small village became a tourist destination thanks to a real estate and railway company run by a certain Pierre Ortal. Development was rapid, supported and encouraged by the arrival of the first rail links and the burgeoning hotel industry. Today, Lacanau offers at least fifteen kilometres of fully-equipped beaches, and water sports are its main attraction, hosting, among other things, an international surfing event, the Lacanau Pro, every August. Surrounded by the ocean, some forty kilometres from Bordeaux, Lacanau offers at least two very different landscapes apart from the beach: the town, with its few remaining Belle Époque-style dwellings, and the lake, with its interesting environment of ponds, forests and varied wildlife.

Path leading to one of Lacanau's great beaches

Summary

Lacanau, in swimming mode
Lacanau in open-air mode
Where to sleep?

Lacanau, in swimming mode

Lacanau is best known for its surfing, kite surfing, sailing and water skiing. This friendly seaside resort, nestling in the heart of the pine forest and on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is ideal for couples, families or groups of friends, who will find board sports, relaxation and the great outdoors. You can also take advantage of the Lacaze promenade, shops and entertainment along the seafront.

There's more to life than salt water. Head for Lacanau lake! It too is renowned for a wide variety of water sports. But it's also a sublime, peaceful natural site, perfect for relaxing in any season. Near the lake, the Moutchic district is home to a large, beautiful beach that is both calm and gentle. You can swim there in complete safety, and compared with ocean beaches, you lose the waves but gain a few degrees. It's a paradise for the little ones, but there's plenty to do for the grown-ups too: sailing, canoeing and pedal-boating, stand-up paddling, water-skiing, wakeboarding and kitesurfing...

Lacanau is a well-known surfing spot in Gironde

Whether you're looking to recharge your batteries or get some exercise, Lacanau is an ideal spot for surfing, stand-up paddling and wakeboarding. In Lacanau, you can choose between several ocean beaches, each with its own charm: the central beach, the Plage de l'Écureuil, the Plage Super Sud and the Plage du Lion. The latter is perfect for travellers looking for a quiet spot. Accessible only on foot from the super south beach, it is inevitably less busy, but caution is advised as it is not supervised.

Lacanau in open-air mode

After a swim, head for the pine gro ves, where a host of sports and outdoor activities will keep you busy in the afternoons. You can easily explore Lacanau and the surrounding area on foot or by bike thanks to the extensive network of cycle paths in the shade of the pines. The lake and forest could be the backdrop for a walk or cycle ride.

Cycling through the pine forests of Lacanau is a very pleasant experience.

Lacanau's unique landscape is also ideal for golf. An 18-hole course runs through the Lacanau forest and its picturesque landscape of pine trees, sandbanks and water hazards.

The Etang de Cousseau Nature Reserve

Did you know that the Etang de Cousseau Nature Reserve is home to one of the region's rare primary forests? It is home to many species of birds, which we invite you to try and spot by taking the time to explore this beautiful protected natural area. Covering almost 900 hectares, it lies between the dunes and the Lacanau forest.

Etang de Cousseau nature reserve

Take a deep breath and open your eyes wide: everything is beautiful in this paradise of greenery, between maritime pines and pedunculate oaks. You'll discover a wealth of wildlife, including egrets and lapwings, as well as woodland guests such as roe deer, red deer and badgers. In winter, the Etang de Cousseau also becomes a dormitory for the grey cranes that pass through Lacanau on their way south.

All year round, you can take part in the tours offered by the Médoc Atlantique Tourist Office to discover the flora and fauna of this unspoilt environment.

The historic town of Lacanau

The town of Lacanau is a pleasant place to stroll around, with its market halls, small shops, restaurants and bars. Lacanau is certainly not the ideal place for a cultural holiday; in fact, there are very few monuments to visit. It is a nature destination par excellence, but if we looked hard enough, we found a church dating from 1775, dedicated to Saint Vincent, and a monument in honour of Pierre Ortal, the main architect of Lacanau's success as a tourist destination.

🚌 How do I get there?

By car, Lacanau is just 1 hour from Bordeaux on the D6. From Bordeaux, it's also easy to get to the ocean on the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional bus service. Take line 702 from Gare Saint-Jean and allow around 2 hours for the journey. If you're really keen, you can also cycle to Lacanau! The Bordeaux - Saint Médard - Lacanau Océan cycle path follows the route of the old Bordeaux-Lacanau railway line, providing access to the beach by bike. It's not particularly difficult, but you should allow 3 hours to cover the 60 kilometres.

Lacanau's many bicycle paths make it easy to get around.

🍴 Where to eat?

The region's restaurants serve a wide range of fish dishes, as in any self-respecting seaside resort. Among the specialities of the Gironde, where Lacanau is located, we recommend trying the oysters from Arcachon, the caviar from the Gironde estuary, but also the local meat dishes, such as lamb from Pauillac or beef from Bazas. You can wash it all down with the great wines of the Aquitaine region, which produces a quarter of all French wines.