Discover the Landes
between land and sea
The Landes, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is the second largest département in France. It is home to Europe’s largest maritime pine forest and boasts over 100 km of coastline, lined with long sandy beaches. All along the coast, you’ll find plenty of seaside resorts: Tarnos, Ondres, Labenne, Capbreton, Hossegor, Seignosse, Soustons, Vieux-Boucau, Messanges, Moliets-et-Maâ, Vielle-Saint-Girons, Lit-et-Mixe, Contis, Mimizan, Biscarrosse.
The Landes also has a string of large freshwater lakes fringed with sandy beaches and pines: Parentis-Biscarrosse, Aureilhan-Mimizan and Léon are perfect spots to sit back and take in the view.
In short, it’s a dream holiday destination for nature lovers, water sports fans and anyone looking to relax.
Beaches
Countless beaches stretch as far as the eye can see along the Atlantic Ocean, offering an idyllic setting to cool off, switch off and recharge.
Lespecier beach, south of Mimizan and 6 km from the Village, is one of the wildest and most unspoilt in the region. With its stunning views and peaceful atmosphere, it draws plenty of water sports fans, especially surfers and sand yachters. Great for families, it has a picnic area, a playground and a beach restaurant (wheelchair accessible).
While you’re here, why not try sea walking? It’s a bracing, sociable activity where you walk through the sea along the shoreline, wearing a wetsuit:
Les Inuits
Parking rue des Pinasses – Mimizan Plage
+33 6 22 16 37 88 – open all year round
Water activities
Set off from Lake Aureilhan and drift down the Courant de Mimizan, the river that flows from the lake to the sea. Along the way, you can try a whole range of water activities:
Canoeing
Cercle Nautique Mimizan
Pedalos
Base Loisirs du Courant
Stand-up paddleboarding
All Water
Hiking
Nature-loving walkers have nearly 40 km of trails to explore around Mimizan, taking in the plants and wildlife of the Landes as well as its history and heritage.
Suggested walks:
Take the trail opposite the Village, starting from Bias. This 5 km walk takes about 2 hours and is easy for the whole family. It takes you through the Landes forest to the Bourg Vieux lake, where you’re sure to spot a few anglers.
The loop around Lake Aureilhan is a must if you’re in the area. It’s longer (around 4 hours) but just as beautiful, with its famous Promenade Fleurie flower walk.
Bike rides
With over 60 km of cycle paths and waymarked quiet roads, you can get around by bike for your whole stay.
Don't miss the Vélodyssée, which runs through the area. It’s one of the most beautiful cycle routes in the world, running 1,250 km along the Atlantic coast from Roscoff to Hendaye, through the Landes.
Good to know: a cycle map showing distances, elevation and picnic spots is available from Village reception and the Mimizan Tourist Office.
Adventure sports
For the more daring, we’ve put together a full-on adrenaline line-up! The Mimizan area is the ideal place to go skydiving, fly a microlight or even try your hand at racing!
Skydiving
OJB Parachutisme
+33 6 19 83 60 04
Microlight
ULM Atlantique
+33 6 88 84 41 97
Go-karting
Kart Landes 40
+33 5 58 08 98 77
Around Mimizan
Staying at Les Pins d'Or village is the perfect opportunity to discover Mimizan, a charming seaside resort ideally located between the ocean and the Landes de Gascogne forest. There are plenty of walks and activities along the beaches and around Lake Aureilhan, and a stroll through the town centre will turn up everything you need.
Mimizan market
Traditional market (food and general goods), with 65 stalls in winter and 100 in summer.
Place de la Mairie, every Friday all year round, 8am to noon.
Mimizan Plage market
Covered market, open daily 8am to 1pm from 15 June to 15 September, and Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 1pm the rest of the year.
Bias market
Small traditional market (5 to 10 stalls), June to September, Tuesday mornings 8am to noon.
Casino
Le Stelsia Casino, Route des Plages Perdues, Mimizan Plage.
Cinema-theatre
Le Parnasse, Mimizan.
And for the children?
Kids will love the treasure hunt run by All Water (April to October, Avenue du Lac, Mimizan). For something a bit different, try the maize maze in Gastes (Avenue du Lanot, open all summer from 8 July to 26 August).
Escape and explore
Mimizan is also an ideal base for exploring other lovely places nearby.
Less than an hour away, Dax is a popular spa town, also famous for its bullring and its summer ferias!
The Dune du Pilat, at the mouth of the Arcachon Bay, never fails to impress: the view from the top over the dunes and the ocean is breathtaking.
And the lakes at Léon, Gastes and Biscarrosse are much loved for their peaceful, natural surroundings.
Just over an hour away, Bordeaux is famous for its vineyards and a way of life that blends history, culture and good company.
Oyster lovers should head to Arcachon to taste them with a glass of white wine.
Last but not least, just south of the Landes, don’t miss the Basque Country, which straddles France and Spain. Its landscapes stretch from the Atlantic Ocean on one side to the Pyrenees on the other, and with its rich traditions and heritage, you’ll soon feel a world away!
