With sports buddies
Soustans Lake covering 400 hectares and stretching over 6 km is the place-to-be for sports lovers. It definitely ranks number one in the Landes’ lakes for sailing enthusiasts (dinghy, catamaran, etc.) and for rowers. And, of course, the perfect place to learn to windsurf or try your hand at stand-up paddle (SUP). A fun-filled new activity in recent years, the giant SUP for 10 to 16 people to enjoy thrills and spills together! The more relaxed yoga paddle is gradually becoming a must, for those who wish to find balance and connection with nature.
For lovers
Far from the crowds on Hossegor beaches... Head off for a romantic interlude on a small rowing boat across the Seignosse White River, delight in feeling alone in the world amongst wild ducks, a handful of fishermen, hosts of reeds and ferns. Along the shores, secluded beaches invite to daydream. To complete this amorous moment in this magical place, a dinner for two at the Villa l’Étang Blanc is a must-of-musts. Boat rental at Les Roseaux Restaurant (€8 for 1h30. Tel: +33 (0)5 58 72 80 30).
With the family
Crystal-clear water like that of Indian Ocean islands, a supervised fine-sandy beach, canoes and pedal boats, pony rides, mountain bike trails, a solar-powered shuttle to explore a forest typical of those of 11 million years ago... Welcome to the Lake of Arjuzanx, paradise for families, major site for observing grey cranes, will whisk you back through history with its “time gallery”, from the origin of the forest to the lignite mine, operated by EDF (French national electricity supplier) until 1992 when it became a natural reserve.
Pure peacefulness
Inland water bodies, less well-known and less popular than the lakes along the coast, invite to delight in incomparable peacefulness, like the lakes of Halco and Hagetmau, where you can stroll through lush greenery and have a break on little wooden pontoons.
The Lake of Sainte-Foy, near Mont-de-Marsan, is ever-so relaxing with its pine forest which towers above it. An intimate, picturesque place where you can fish but not swim: perfect for chilling and enjoying a picnic around the on-site barbecue, whilst having fun playing skittles and pétanque (French-style bowls).
With friends
Fishing is becoming highly-popular with the younger generation, fans of no-kill and street-fishing with friends. As the morning dawns as well as at dusk, Sanguinet Lake, the region’s largest lake covering 5,600 hectares between the Landes and Gironde, is perfect for tackling pikeperch, perch and pike and a host of other predatory fish. Competitions, discovery days on land or out on the water... breaks with friends supervised by instructor-guides are also proposed, for example with Eric Zai.
Freelance journalist in the Landes since 2012. Returned to the country after a good ten years at Agence France-Presse in Paris.
