Breathe. In front of you, as far as the eye can see, stretches the sun-drenched pine and heather forest. Between the margins of Gascony and Lanton on the Bassin d'Arcachon, you are at the heart of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park. Since 1970, the park has brought together more than 336 hectares of nature spread over two departments: Gironde and Landes. With the aim of preserving and preserving the environment, the park can be explored on foot, by mountain bike, on horseback or even by canoe, without leaving a trace.
In the heart of the forest, you will spend a green holiday here. You can go down the Leyre for a weekend, observe the common cranes or even stay with hosts who respect their environment. The Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park guarantees you holidays that are 100% relaxing and natural.
Your appointments with the common cranes
Every year, tens of thousands of birds spend the winter in the Landes de Gascogne, thus avoiding crossing the Pyrenees. Among them: the Common Crane, one of the largest protected birds in Europe. Common cranes find favorable conditions for their residence: refuges for the night and food gleaned from the surrounding corn fields.
Throughout the winter period, the park offers many guided outings and observation stays with passionate ornithologists.
By Canoe/Kayak on the Leyre
The Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park is the only park in France crossed by a river from its source to its mouth. The Leyre, which is nicknamed "the little Amazon", crosses the Landes plateau for nearly 100 km under an exuberant gallery forest, before going to mix its fresh water with the salt water of the Arcachon bay. Bordering the Leyre, vast wetlands are home to a rich terrestrial and aquatic life: dragonflies, otters, herons, kingfishers...
Respecting the location, the Leyre offers many possibilities for day trips, or even over several days: canoe rental companies offer you many formulas.
To guide you in your choice and provide you with valuable advice, the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park even offers a website dedicated to this activity.
By bike and mountain bike
Between Bazas and the Bassin d'Arcachon, 76 km of secure cycle paths await you. We start with exceptional heritage sites in Villandraut and Uzeste, then the journey becomes more natural crossing the pine forest. Note that in the other direction, the route is accessible by train via Facture-Biganos station.
Know it, then you borrow the Tour of Gironde by bike.
Le Departmental Domain of Sports and Leisure Gérard Lagors in Hostens is a 600 ha site (classified as a Sensitive Natural Area) designed for the discovery of the environment and the practice of outdoor leisure activities. 6 routes from 9 to 21 km around the 5 lakes of the area are particularly dedicated to mountain biking. Know that, as in skiing, the courses are indicated by color according to their level of difficulty.
On foot, along themed paths
It is also possible to go on foot while roaming in the Landes de Gascogne PNR by taking the GR6®. This route, which goes from the Alps to the Atlantic Ocean, crosses the Gironde for 245 km from Sainte-Foy-la-Grande to the Bassin d'Arcachon.
You can also take advantage of hiking loops near your vacation spot.
Finally, why not discover the local heritage as a family in a fun way with Terra Aventura. 4 thematic routes await you in Salles, Mios, Biganos and soon Belin-Beliet.
The 100% Gascony break in the Cercles
Whether worker, peace or workers, these republican cafes have enlivened the territory of the Landes de Gascogne for more than 100 years. Born of the social movements that followed the French Revolution, circles are places of meeting and conviviality that the inhabitants of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park still love.
A total of 23 circles still exist today. In Gironde, there is the Cercle des Travailleurs in Captieux, the Cercle des Démocrates in Louchats, the Cercle de la Concorde in Lucmau and the Cercle Ouvrier in Saint-Symphorien.
Tasting of local products, concerts, meeting the locals... there are only good reasons to join the circle!
