Les Landes, activities and visits to stay cool!

Want to enjoy the holidays without coming home with sunburn? Savor the summer without blushing. There are many activities to practice, when it is too hot. A true jewel of nature with its varied and colorful landscapes, the Landes department offers an idyllic setting for enjoying the summer season. Swimming, walks, meetings and tastings, choose the activities and visits you prefer to be cool this summer.

Opening picture: AdobeStock / Imageiin

1- Landes lakes

Perfect for cooling off and spending a lazy day, explore Biscarrosse Lake, a must-see lake with 35 m2 of water, which offers shaded paths before swimming.

The Aureilhan lake, very close to Mimizan-plage, is a haven of peace with magnificent walks to take on foot or by bike on the banks. Lake Léon, Lake Soustons, Lake Hossegor and Lake Arjuzanx, they are numerous and all different!

2- The natural sites of the Landes

Natural sites are shady places, with trees whose leaves protect you from the sun's rays! Come and discover the many natural sites of the Landes.
The Courant d'Huchet, a few kilometers from Moliets-et-Maâ, is a wild current that can be traveled on foot from the Pichelèbe bridge to Moliet, a 2km circuit between marshes, peat bogs and mangroves close to the beaches.

The black pond nature reserve, further south near Capbreton, is a habitat of character which serves as a refuge and delicious larder for many species, such as the otter or the European mink. Observe the shades of black on a 1km loop in the shade of the pine forests.

3- The Estanque bogs in Mées

Located 10 minutes from Dax in Mées, they are the habitat of several protected species. Waterlogged plants decompose to form peat, where an incredible ecosystem of insects, butterflies and dragonflies develops. The trail of less than a kilometer is simple to take and easy to access, a walk suitable for all holidaymakers.

4- The Old-Boucau-les-Bains forest

5 minutes south of Messanges, it offers two 2 km circuits through the palombière and the mare aux biches. In the coolness of the pines, discover a rich and playful site where signage informs you about the environment which surrounds you.

5- The fish market in Capbreton

A very good idea to prepare a good meal! A must-see place on the port, at the foot of the harbor master's office, buy freshly caught fish directly from the fishermen to cook local and seasonal products from several boats.

6- Armagnac cellar visit

These visits are an obligation when you pass through the Landes region. With its 40° alcohol, Armagnac will warm you up! This eau-de-vie made from white wine has made the reputation of the region. The producers of the region will be delighted to show you their work and let you taste their precious beverage. The Landes wines, divided between Tursan, Chalosse wine and Sables wine, each have their own character and typicity. Visit the estates and leave with a few bottles.

7- Museums and eco-museums

They are a perfect continuation of your Landes journey, especially if you are looking for sheltered places or with air conditioning. Scattered throughout the region, they tell the story of the Landes since prehistoric times. Ancestral know-how, ancient trades, arts and crafts, discover Landes culture and traditions at the Chalosse museum, the prehistory of Brassempouy, the Borda museum and many others to discover in our cultural visits.

8- Shopping in Hossegor

This is a mandatory little stop to do your holiday shopping, cool! With more than 150 stores dotted around the city, it's the ideal town to renew your wardrobe. Independent shops and major brands offer you something to have fun in the cool of clothing, jewelry, shoes and swimwear. You will come back loaded!

9- Surfing in the Landes

We don't go far from Hossegor to continue the day diving in the waves! The ideal place to not get too hot… Seasoned or confirmed surfers, go to Capbreton, Hossegor or Seignosse to experience an incredible shot of adrenaline perched on your board. Beginners can learn on the beaches of Mimizan and Biscarosse, where the sea is less rough.

10- Discover tree climbing in the Landes

A leap from the sea to the coolness of the trees. Equipped with a harness, climb along trunks to shiver in height to the attack of more or less complicated circuits. Find all the good addresses to contact in our adventure trails in the forest.

BONUS: Canoeing on the Courant de Contis in the moors

We take you on the water to complete this epic. Between Léon and Mimizan, there are 31 km between dunes, pine forests, forests and swamps that take you on an unusual descent in the heart of nature. On your paddles, it's time to row home.

Well, the holidays are over and you are still cool after all these visits and activities. You now know all the secrets of the Landes to discover the region without being burned. Remember all these addresses for next summer.

Did you like our article? See more on our blog ! Find us on the Facebook page of the Guide des Landes, but also on Instagram @guidesdeslandes