The traditional picture of Les Landes : vast fine sand beaches lined with dunes and with the forest spreading behind, as far as the eye can see

 Les Landes is the 2nd French departement for its surface area. The nature has been organized and preserved by the work of several generations of farmers and foresters. The climate is mild in winter and temperate in summer. The departement is as well very appreciated for the diversity of its cultural and sports activities.

Les Landes departement has numerous assets : the best surf spots, hundred and six kilometres of fine sand beaches cleaned all year, fifteen seaside resorts, sixty two supervised beaches, a marina, ten lakes and coastal lakes with beaches ; ports and water sports activities but as well two hundred kilometres of coastal cycle tracks, ten golf courses of which Biscarrosse, Hossegor, Moliets and Seignosse on the coast and the possibility to go fishing or surfcasting. 

The « south coast » spreads from Moliets to Bayonne near « la barre de
l’Adour ».
 

It is the most densely populated area, it has the most numerous touristic equipments and one port : the port of Capbreton. Every seaside resort protects its difference, Seignosse and the vastness of its wide fine sandy beaches is a surfers paradise, Moliets and Soustons have become urbanized recently, Vieux-Boucau-Port d’Albret offers to come discover the « mail » and the promenade near the salt water lake, Capbreton offers a permanent liveliness at the port, Hossegor hides its beautiful houses and the architecture of the 30’s under the pines, Tarnos, Ondres, Labenne or Messanges have a more discreet existence.

The nature in Les Landes is very diversified and wide natural areas can be found everywhere.

 At the nature reserve of Etang Noir in Seignosse you will discover its beautiful fauna and freshwater flora, the nature reserve of « marais d’Orx » has become one of the main rest area for more than 250 different species of migrators and you will discover the mysterious « courant d’Huchet » with the boatmen in Léon.
 

Les Landes is the French departement having the most important number of kilometres of Jacob’s Way to Santiago. They are divided in 4 ways :

• Coastal Way
• Tours Way
• Vézelay Way
• Puy-en-Velay Way

Shepherds on stilts and the local custom of acrobatic cow-dodging known as « course landaise » are the most typical elements of our cultural heritage. The stilts were used to walk in the marshes and today there are about twenty folk groups which continue the dances. Seignosse stilt-dancing group « Lous Pastous » gives displays several times during the season. Acrobatic cow-dodging is older and today it is the main event in village feasts. More than four hundred and fifty cow-dodging events take place every year.

In big towns bull fights are organized.

Les Landes are very appreciated for the local feasts which take place during the season at the period of ferias. The most famous are « La Madeleine » at Mont de Marsan in July and at Dax in August. You will enjoy bull fights, cow-dodging, bandas (Landes or Basque band), balls, refreshment stalls.

 These events play an important part in Les Landes art of living together with the gastronomy composed of traditional products (farm poultry, duck and foie gras, Chalosse beef, game, asparagus, kiwi and “AOC” wines (official certification guaranteeing the quality of French produce). You will discover all these products in our local traditional markets and in the restaurants.

Les Landes are famous as well for its thermal spas. Préchacq, Dax, Saint Paul les Dax, Saubusse and Eugénie les Bains constitute the first thermal unit in France welcoming more than 75000 people per year.

Les Landes is a departement with plenty of opportunities. You will enjoy your stay, by your own, with friends or with your family, come discover our region !

Photo credit, banner : Damien Poullenot

Sources :
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landes_(d%C3%A9partement)
Map of The Landes from the Comité Départemental du Tourisme des Landes
Guide of Les Landes 2009 from the Comité Départemental du Tourisme des Landes.