The Top Landes Lakes for swimming and spending a day with the family

Want to spend a family day in the Landes? Swimming and doing nautical and aquatic activities, sunbathing and eating ice cream all together? The Landes lakes are a real and unique gem! In a preserved natural setting, the great lakes of the Landes are perfect for families, because there are few waves, shaded areas (and grassy areas for those who don't like sand), little walking to get there. This is the destination for nature lovers! Discover the top of the Landes lakes, in this unique set in France and near the coast!

Photos: Guide des Landes unless otherwise stated in the Alt
Opening photo: AdobeStock Neos The Ponton d'Azur du Lac de Soustons

Biscarrosse pond

The pond of Biscarrosse and Parentis-en-Born is a freshwater lake, just 70 km from Bordeaux and 80 km from Mont-de-Marsan, it is popular with city dwellers looking for relaxation and water sports. Several beaches are equipped (and supervised) along its shores, with clear waters for swimming and fine sand for laying down your towel. A canal (the coastal canal which is partly navigable) connects the lake to the small pond of Biscarrosse to the north.

On the large lake, which is more than 35km², there is a seaplane base and its museum, which we recommend you visit with your family. You can do a multitude of water activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, sailing, kite-surfing, stand-up paddle and kayaking. The nautical leisure bases are rather on the east face of the lake, on the Parentis-en-Born and Gastes side to the south. The west of the lake is wild. Stroll through the small ports, the sometimes large and busy beaches, sometimes intimate and unique, like small coves. You can relax, simply take a towel, a deckchair or a deck chair and sit down to read, take a nap, it's the holidays! Bring a picnic to eat casually at the picnic areas on offer. You will also find many places where you can have a snack type lunch or in a restaurant at Lake Biscarrosse, with a nice view of the lake!

Consult our section on boat trips and canoe trips, to find service providers and go for a boat trip on the Landes lakes!

Read our articles: Biscarrosse, 3 good reasons to go there but also the Top 10 things to do in Biscarrosse

Note: To the north of the Etang de Biscarrosse is the Etang de Cazaux-Sanguinet, which straddles the Landes and the Gironde (to the north). It is a very large natural area of 58km2 (the second largest freshwater lake in Fnrace) with crystal clear waters, in the middle of the Landes forest which has regained its rights. You can observe a multitude of species of birds, waders, but also the otter. Diving, fishing, swimming, boating, walking... We won't be bored there.

Lake or pond? Are you lost? What is the difference between a lake and a pond? It is ambiguous, in fact and in our imagination, the lakes are deeper, larger and more extensive. But there is nothing officially, it seems that it is a question of use. The important thing is to find a place to put your towel, right?

Biscarrosse pond

Cazaux-Sanguinet Lake

Lake Aureilhan and Mimizan

It is a popular lake for fishermen, because there are beautiful specimens of carp, pike-perch and other pike. Like the other Landes lakes close to the ocean, it was formed thanks to the coastal dunes, which created water retention basins, fed by rainwater or runoff. The Aureilhan Mimizan pond is made up of a wetland, marsh type, where there is remarkable fauna and flora that can be discovered by taking a canoe trip on the lake and its current. You can also discover the Hawaiian canoe for an exotic navigation on the waves.

Lovers of walks, embark on the Promenade Fleurie where 500 species of flowers and plants have been installed by the municipality of Mimizan for the pleasure of all, all year round. The discovery trail promises beautiful views of the lake. In about 3h30 of walking, you can also go around the Lac de Mimizan. You pass through 4 different towns, 13km of walking, without difficulty and well marked.

Read our article on the Cercle Nautique de Mimizan and its many activities

Did you know? By canals or current, the great lakes of the Landes are all connected to each other. It's a real whole, a unique ecosystem! Mimizan Lake is connected to the sea by the Mimizan Current, which is about 7km long.

Lake Leon

We continue further south of the Landes. Lac de Léon is about the same area as the previous one, 3.5 km². It is a paradise for water sports and fishing. A very natural and preserved environment, where you will discover a bucolic and unique place: Le Courant d'Huchet.

There are two main beaches in the town of Léon: Plage de Léon and Plage du Lac à Vielle. Bicycle and cycling enthusiasts will find many cycle paths to walk around Lake Léon; For example, it is possible to take part of the Velodyssée and reach Contis Plage. Read our article on bike rides in the Landes.

Learn more about the Courant d'Huchet, the Little Amazon of the Landes and read our report on boat trips on the Courant d'Huchet.

The lake of Soustons

To tell the truth, we should be talking about THE LAKES of Soustons, because there are 5 of them!

The Lac Marin du Port d'Albret is a little paradise for families. You can swim there, take a walk (5km of promenade equipped for everyone and even scooters and other rollerblades for children). Don't forget to take on the island in the middle of the lake: Ile Robinson! Read our article report on the Marine Lake of Port d'Albret. To the south is the small pond of Pinsolle, with its eponymous golf course.

The Lake of Souston is attached to the city, you can walk there by bike, but also navigate it, only with boats without motors for the peace of mind of all. If you are observant, it is likely that you will see squirrels, near the Pointe des Vergnes, a calm and pleasant place... Walk on the pontoon, rest on a bench. Read our article: A video in Soustons, to prepare your holiday stay.

The Etang Blanc, the Etang d'Hardy and the Etang Noir (which is in the municipality of Seignosse) are a small set of wetland type. We will not go there for swimming, but rather for the observation of fauna and flora. Read our article on the Etang Noir Nature Reserve.

Hossegor Lake

The Hossegor marine lake is a marine lake, it is fed by the Hossegor Canal and the Passe du Boucarot. Its level rises and falls according to the ebb and flow of the water, think about it to plan your moments of swimming and aquatic discovery. You can go around Lake Hossegor on foot, it's a nice walk of about 7km. The lake is close to the city and the coastal beaches. There are 4 beaches on the lake: La Plage des Chênes-Lièges, La Plage Blanche, La Plage du Rey, La Plage du Parc.

Do you like oysters? Discover the oysters of Hossegor (read our article)! They are little known, but deserve the gustatory detour!

Arjuzanx Lake

It is not because it is not by the sea that we will forget it! The Lake of Arjuzanx and its Nature Reserve is a wetland, which is equipped with many birds, to delight lovers of ornithological observations. You can also swim and practice water sports. You can go around Lake Arjuzanx on foot, about 7km easy. Take the opportunity to discover Mont-de-Marsan, which is about 30km away. Read our article on visiting family Mont-de-Marsan.