Biscarrosse

A holiday in Biscarrosse is all about enjoying the beauty of the ocean and the long, sandy beaches that are so typical of the Landes region. A pleasant cycle path along the coast allows you to discover them all in a jiffy. To the north of the resort is the Plage du Vivier, perhaps the wildest in the area. Situated in an unspoilt area with a shaded car park, it can be reached from a delightful path winding through pine trees and dunes (10-minute walk). The superb waves of Plage du Vivier make it a well-known spot for surfers.

If you too would like to ride the famous Landes waves, visit the GANG SURF school (open from April to November, information on +33 (0)7 71 63 05 31). After this iodised water bath, don't hesitate to take a stroll along the Lette du Vivier interpretation trail which runs alongside the dune. Mounted on stilts, it will enable you to discover the rich flora of the Landes coastline. And if you're feeling festive, why not continue the evening on the beach, cocktail in hand at the Dream Beach beach bar, where you can enjoy tapas in a friendly atmosphere and dance barefoot in the sand to the sound of DJ sets.

Adjacent to the centre of the seaside resort, the Plage Nord, a little less crowded than the Plage Centrale, is ideal for a relaxing afternoon with the family. Swimming is supervised here, and a pleasant footpath in the dunes allows you to walk along the coast and enjoy the magnificent ocean panorama. Behind the dunes, you can enjoy tasty and original international cuisine at the Surf Palace, a trendy haunt for surfers and young people on the prowl. Undoubtedly one of the nicest addresses in Biscarrosse.

Our favourite ocean beach is without doubt the Plage Sud in Biscarrosse. A favourite spot with the locals, it's ideal for those who dream of lazing peacefully on the sand, far from the hustle and bustle (and sometimes the noise) of the beaches close to the resort. In summer, the municipal library sets up an annex on the edge of the beach, adding to the tranquillity and charm of the place. So you can read in front of the sea from the comfort of a deckchair - it's a dream!

You've been dreaming of a holiday in the Pacific Ocean, but your wallet and your ecological conscience won't let you? Then the North Lake, known as Cazaux-Sanguinet, is just what you need. With its translucent water and immaculate white beaches of fine sand, its tropical finery blends perfectly with the scent of pine trees, characteristic of the Landes region. To make matters worse, the water is shallow and its temperature fluctuates between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius in summer. All in all, an idyllic spot for a swim.

Supervised in July and August, the Plage Maguide is a great place to try your hand at water sports in the calm waters of the lake. At the Aquacabana water sports centre, you can try your hand at wakeboarding and towed buoys, or jump from buoy to buoy in the fun aquapark. Exhaustion of energy and laughter guaranteed. Open every day from 10am to 7pm. For a good meal overlooking the turquoise waters of the lake, head to Les Docks du lac. This pretty restaurant, elegantly decorated in light colours, offers a bistronomic menu with a sunny accent. Depending on your mood, you can also opt for tapas or oysters to be enjoyed on the terrace, barefoot in the sand and admiring the sunset. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 2.30pm and from 6pm to midnight, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to midnight.

At Charlet Nautic, you can also get away from the crowds for a boat trip on the lake, with or without a licence. This is your chance to enjoy a moment of pure tranquillity, rocked by the waters, and to discover the 'Hautes rives', idyllic secret beaches that are only accessible by boat. Expect to pay at least €86 for 4 hours in the morning and €107 for 4 hours in the afternoon.

If you take the cycle path from Biscarrosse town centre, you can also reach the Plage de Navarrosse, which is also very pleasant and is supervised in summer.

The Biscarrosse Parentis lake, renowned for its calm, is very popular with fishermen, who spend long afternoons looking for fish. With its clear, shallow waters, there are several supervised swimming areas at Biscarrosse, Sanguinet, Parentis, Gastes and Sainte Eulalie en Born. Nature lovers will particularly appreciate the beach at Sainte-Eulalie en Born, which has a very tranquil atmosphere and is surrounded by vegetation.

The beach at Gastes, with its friendly, family atmosphere, is ideal for water sports activities. At the Nautilclub, for example, you can try your hand at paddle and windsurfing. Open from May to July from 10am to 6.30pm.

The banks of the lake are also a great place to take a breath of fresh air in the shade of the pine trees.

If you want to enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience during your stay in Biscarrosse, why not take to the skies in a seaplane? Biscarrosse is one of the last hydrobases in France, so it's a great place to get up high and admire the majesty of the ocean and the Great Lakes from the air. Professional pilots from Le Vol des Aigles offer first flights and even flying lessons on board a microlight or seaplane. Depending on the aircraft, your first flight will cost 110 per person for a 30-minute flight. It's not cheap, we agree, but the thrill of the experience and the beauty of the scenery seen from the air are well worth it. First flights are by appointment only, call 05.58.82.88.42. Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 12pm and 1.30pm to 6pm.