Visit Mimizan, a family seaside resort

The central beach

Located at the epicentre of the resort, close to the shops, bars and restaurants, the central beach is more conducive to conviviality than solitude. Supervised from April onwards, it's the perfect place for a safe swim. What makes it special? It has wooden sunbeds so you can sunbathe peacefully without getting covered in sand - but be warned, they are highly sought-after!

For a drink to the sound of live music or DJ sets, head to the Chill House, a delightful beach bar with a relaxed atmosphere. With a pina colada in hand and bare feet in the sand, you can watch the sun set over the ocean, and at that very moment, the holidays begin...

The central beach is bordered by a well-developed seafront, ideal for strolling and taking a leisurely stroll on a balmy summer's evening.

The North Beach and the South Beach

A little wilder than the central beach and supervised from May to September, the North and South beaches also boast fine golden sand. They are also very popular spots with surfers. On the South beach, you'll find the Mimizan Surf Academy for an introduction to the art of surfing, with surf, bodyboard and supsquatch lessons available for €35 for an adult group lesson and €23 for a children's group lesson. Individual lessons cost €70. If you're keen to try something new, you can also try the Supsquach, a kind of inflatable paddle, halfway between surfing, canoeing and rafting, which can be enjoyed by several people. Laughter and thrills guaranteed! For food and drink, the Plage Sud is home to La Cabane des Cormorans, serving sandwiches and cold drinks from April to September.

The centre of Mimizan

Very lively in summer, the centre of Mimizan can be explored by wandering from clothes shops to ice-cream parlours, enveloped by the smell of waffles that caresses our nostrils. It's hard not to feel like you're on holiday as you stroll along at a slow pace, letting your eyes catch the neon lights, while enjoying a three scoop ice cream cone with a daring combination (mojito/stracciatella/twix).

We then indulge in a little shopping in the Le Monde merveilleux d'Alice decorating boutique, a delightful cabin brimming with objects with a "nature and seaside" aesthetic. From earthenware ceramics to wicker lampshades and shell jewellery, you're bound to find something to delight you or your loved ones. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 6pm.

If you're looking for a complete makeover in "trendy Landes coast surfer" style, head to thealternative surf shop which, as well as hiring surfboards and bodyboards, offers a wide range of surfwear made from eco-friendly materials and a range of zero-waste beauty products. Open every day except Tuesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm.

Eating and drinking in Mimizan

When it comes to restaurants, there's plenty to do too! For colourful, tasty bistro cuisine, the place to go is the ILE DE MALTE ! Menus start from 13.50 euros and you can also opt for tapas made in the South-West. Open every day from 12.00 to 14.30 and from 19.00 to 21.45.

With a dream location and an attractive seasonal menu, the Restaurant Ô Courant , located on the banks of the Mimizan current, facing the Ocean, is also an excellent address for discovering all the flavour of Landes produce. Open Thursday to Monday evenings (lunch and dinner) and 7/7 in summer.

For tapas and local wine, head to the Orchestra bar. With its welcoming indoor terrace planted with trees and shrubs, it's a great place to spend evenings in good company. Open Monday to Saturday from 5pm to 2am and Sunday from 5pm to 11pm.

Like many Landes resorts, Mimizan also has its own lake! A peaceful spot in the heart of nature, it offers the opportunity for a lovely 3-hour walk along a signposted path that circles the lake. On Lac d'Aureilhan, you'll find Plage de la plaine, where bathing is supervised in July and August. And if 2 hours of intensive sunbathing have given you the itch, why not hire a paddle, kayak or pedalo from the All Water centre? Hire costs €15 for 1 hour. Open July and August, 7 days a week from 10am to 7.30pm.

Nearby is the famous Promenade fleurie, an idyllic little path (45-minute walk) brimming with colourful flowerbeds. Take a deep breath and admire 400 different species of flowers and shrubs. This little terrestrial Eden, the pride of Mimizan, is open all year round. Guided tours are also available in summer. For more information, contact the Tourist Office.

Want to cut yourself off from the world and cycle along the magnificent Landes coast with your hair blowing in the wind? From Mimizan, you can take a section of the Vélodyssée, France's 1,250 km long cycle route along the Atlantic coast from Roscoff to Hendaye. The ride, through a forest of monumental pines with an invigorating scent, is particularly magical. The icing on the cake is that, after 7 kilometres of road, you'll come across the sublime Lespecier beach, an immense expanse of fine sand bordered by wild dunes of raw beauty. All you want to do is jump into the water! Be careful, though, as there are plenty of baïnes (rip currents) here, which can seriously disrupt swimming. Stay in supervised bathing areas. Naturism is permitted on this beach.

Under a pleasant straw arbour, you can cool off and grab a bite to eat at the Cabane De Lespecier, a pretty beach bar with a bohemian decor, serving hearty aperitif platters to enjoy as the sun sets. In summer, morning yoga classes (with a free glass of smoothie) are also offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 10am (15 euros). For fans of electronic music, the Cabane organises quality DJ sets every weekend for lively dance parties with your feet in the sand.