A week in the Landes

Our immersion in the Landes region begins with a relaxing stay in the famous seaside resort of Biscarrosse. On the menu: swimming and relaxing on the magnificent sandy beaches lined with dunes! For sports enthusiasts, this is the perfect opportunity to try your hand at surfing, a veritable institution in the Landes. Le Vivier beach has several surf schools where you can learn to ride like a real pro!

After a long frolic in the waves, why not explore the surrounding pine forest? You'll find plenty of hiking trails and cycle paths to enjoy nature and peace and quiet. To get around Biscarrosse and the surrounding area in complete freedom, hire a bike from Au Vélo Pour Tous. Open 7 days a week in July and August from 9am to 8pm.

It's not just Connemara that can boast magnificent lakes. The three lakes at Biscarrosse are veritable jewels of the moors, offering a beautiful setting in which to unwind, as well as plenty of opportunities for activities, starting with fishing and hiking.

At Lac de Cazaux-Sanguinet, on the magnificent Plage de Maguide, with its dazzling white sands worthy of a Pacific island, you can take your time to relax and enjoy a peaceful swim in the calm of the water, far from the hustle and bustle of the ocean. It's also the ideal place for water sports. On the Grande Plage de Biscarrosse-Navarrosse, you'll find the Biscaloisirs base where you can hire bikes, paddleboards or Indian canoes for fun with family and friends. Bookings on 07 67 89 07 06. Open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. To round off the day in style, head to La Caravelle, a delightful restaurant serving tasty seasonal cuisine right on the lake. A real little corner of paradise!

Welcome to the Landes! Although the region is best known for its lively coastline and dream beaches, the Landes hinterland is also full of treasures to discover, starting with Labastide d'Armagnac, a magnificent fortified village typical of the South-West. Take a stroll through the narrow streets under the arches of the emblematic Place Royale, home to a superb fortified church, and admire the timber-framed houses that give the impression of having been transported back in time.

Nearby, the legends of the Landes region await you! Near the village of Losse are the miraculous springs of Moncaut. There are over a hundred fountains of this type in the Landes, but the Moncaut springs are undoubtedly among the most beautiful. Nestling in the heart of the forest, it's an enchanting place where the most devout come to collect themselves in the hope of curing their headaches, stomach aches and rheumatism. Pieces of cloth hung from the trees form unusual garlands, adding to the mystical atmosphere of the place. What better way to discover the secrets of the Landes?

The Landes adventure continues with a trip to one of the most magical places in the world, Lac d'Arjuzanx. This magnificent stretch of water, whose deep blue hues seem almost supernatural, is home to an ecosystem of rare richness. In particular, it is a winter resort for migrating grey cranes. A breathtaking sight to behold from October to February. When it comes to leisure activities, there's never a dull moment! On foot, on horseback or by bike, you can explore the lush green surroundings along the numerous nature trails. You can also take to the waters by hiring a paddle, canoe or pedalo from Arjuzanx Loisirs Nautiques.

After this breath of fresh air, head to Mont-de-Marsan for one of the best-known events in the Landes region, which brings the town to life for 5 days and 5 nights: the Fêtes de la Madeleine. On the programme: concerts, parades to the sound of traditional music, big feasts around Landes specialities and much more... Taking place at the end of July and attracting hundreds of thousands of people every year, the Fêtes de Mont-de-Marsan, along with the férias in Dax, is one of the summer's not-to-be-missed festive events in the Landes, the quintessence of the conviviality so characteristic of the South-West. Don't forget your blue scarf, emblem of the Fêtes de la Madeleine! If you want to stay in Mont-de-Marsan during the festivities, don't book at the last minute, as accommodation is quickly snapped up.

Missing the ocean? Head for Capbreton, in the south of the Landes. The only port in the Landes, this small fishing village is home to a major geological curiosity: the Gouf de Capbreton. This underwater canyon is responsible for the superb waves that break along the coast as far as the resorts of Hossegor and Seignosse. An absolute paradise for surfers, the surrounding area boasts some of the most beautiful ocean scenery.

La Savane beach, with its huge bunkers scattered across the sand, offers breathtaking views and a superb playground for experienced surfers. The village of Capbreton is also home to the famous fish market, where you can buy fresh fish directly from the fishermen.

For a spectacular sunset, head for the Estacade, a magnificent walkway over the water with a lighthouse at its end. A view of the immensity of the ocean awaits you, as sublime as it is breathtaking.

Between nature and the ocean, the family-friendly seaside resort of Labenne offers the best of the Landes. A superb 3-kilometre stretch of fine sandy beach offers uninterrupted views of the Pyrenees mountains on the horizon. Supervised in summer, it's ideal for swimming - and surfing, of course! If you take the only road or cycle path leading to the beach, you'll come to the esplanade overlooking the ocean. This is the place to meet up after a day of intensive lazing on the beach for a drink as the sun sets. We particularly like the bar-restaurant La Casa, which serves delicious Mexican-inspired cuisine that is as colourful as it is refined. The burgers, with their original flavours, are to die for! Concerts are often organised at La Casa during the summer season.

Labenne is also home to the Marais d'Orx Nature Reserve, a splendid marshland that is part of the European Natura 2000 network and a haven for many species of bird. To discover this exceptional ecosystem, there are a number of hiking trails to choose from. The "Discovery" trail is 6.2 km long (round trip), and takes around 2 hours to complete. You can also take part in guided tours of the Nature Reserve in the company of a naturalist guide to learn more about Labenne's rich environment.

In July and August: "Discovery tours" on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9.30am to 12pm. Booking essential on 05 59 45 42 46.