One distinctive way to discover Landes is along its long, linear greenways. They follow former railway lines, have gentle gradients and are designated for walking, mountain biking and horse riding; motor vehicles are prohibited. Their former use and gentle gradients give these routes a character of their own. As route alignments may change, check the current regulations before setting out.
Between trails, forests and water
The Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne also offers unspoilt places to explore on foot, by bicycle, canoe or horseback. However, clear restrictions apply to these outdoor excursions: bivouacking, wild camping and fires are prohibited in the Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne and the Site Inscrit des Vallées de la Leyre. Visitor regulations may change; check them locally before you set off.
The large freshwater lakes of Landes offer another perspective on the landscape. Sandy beaches line their shores, and pine trees fringe the water. The lakes offer opportunities for swimming, watersports and fishing. Canoeing is also possible on the waterways, lakes and rivers of Landes, including along the Leyre through the Landes forest. Watersports include sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, kitesurfing, jet skiing and sand yachting. This brings together quiet moments of observation by the shore and active hours on or by the water as different ways to experience nature.
Places and traces of history
Architecture and craftsmanship also tell the story of the region. Traditional houses in Landes often feature half-timbering, wattle and daub, and canal tiles on their roofs. They are often grouped together in an airial, a clearing in the forest. These houses, with their distinctive architectural features, are often grouped together in an airial, a clearing in the forest.
The Musée des Forges focuses on the lives and work of workers in Landes in the 19th century, iron-casting techniques and a collection of cast-iron objects. The museum is open seasonally. The Écomusée de Marquèze offers a different way to discover the past: it recreates life in the Grande Lande in the 19th century. While the Musée des Forges explores work and iron craftsmanship, Marquèze focuses on the living environment of the time.
In Dax, Gallo-Roman and Art Deco heritage come together with guided cultural tours. The Maison de la céramique in Samadet displays a permanent collection of 165 contemporary works and offers creative workshops for children. These places focus on different themes: historical periods, local architecture, craftsmanship and ceramics can be explored separately, without assuming a single, unified itinerary.
Cuisine and thermal destinations
Regional cuisine includes foie gras, duck magret, Armagnac, Landes asparagus and pastis. The selection ranges from savoury specialities and asparagus to spirits and pastries. The thermal tradition also shapes the character of Landes: 19 thermal establishments are spread across five spa towns. Alongside trails, lakes and cultural sites, these add another possible focus for a trip without equating the different experiences.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Laurent-de-Gosse, Cauneille, Laglorieuse, Arjuzanx, Aureilhan, Azur, Bias, Biscarrosse, Biscarrosse-Plage, Capbreton, Cassen, Cauna, Contis-Plage, Herm, Hontanx, Laluque, Léon, Linxe, Lit-Et-Mixe, Lucbardez-Et-Bargues, Mauvezin-D'armagnac, Messanges, Mezos, Mimizan, Mimizan-Plage, Moustey, Ondres, Onesse-Et-Laharie, Parentis-En-Born, Parleboscq, Peyrehorade, Pontenx-Les-Forges, Port-De-Lanne, Pouillon, Rimbez Et Baudiets, Saint-Gor, Saint-Julien-En-Born, Saint-Vincent-De-Paul, Sainte-Eulalie-En-Born, Saubion, Seignosse, Soustons, Tarnos, Tosse, Vielle-Saint-Girons, Vieux-Boucau-Les-Bains, Grenade Sur L'adour, Mano, Mugron, Sabres, Saint Martin De Seignanx, Taller, Orx, Maylis, Toulouzette, Saugnacq-Et-Muret, Ossages, Bélus, Betbezer-D'armagnac, Mauries, Montgaillard, Uza, Dax, Magescq, Labenne-Océan, Saubrigues, Labrit, Sort-En-Chalosse, Saint-Paul-Lès-Dax, Saint-Paul-En-Born, Préchacq-Les-Bains, Mont-De-Marsan, Moliets-Et-Maa, Castets, Amou, Labenne, Castelnau-Chalosse, Hagetmau, Soorts-Hossegor, Tilh, Biarrotte, Lüe, Solférino, Roquefort, Gourbera, Josse, Saubusse, Brocas, Lesperon, Baigts, Saint-Cricq-Chalosse, Ygos-Saint-Saturnin, Montfort-En-Chalosse, Sore, Saint-Michel-Escalus, Saint-Étienne-D'orthe, Créon-D'armagnac, Sanguinet, Ousse-Suzan, Bascons, Morcenx, Beylongue, Villeneuve-De-Marsan, Cazères-Sur-L'adour, Misson, Ychoux, Saint-Julien-D'armagnac, Orist, Tartas, Saint-Vincent-De-Tyrosse, Narrosse, Saint-Pandelon, Pomarez, Saint-Geours-De-Maremne, Saint-André-De-Seignanx, Saint-Pierre-Du-Mont, Lévignacq, Liposthey, Angresse, Pontonx-Sur-L'adour, Commensacq, Doazit, Sorde-Lʼabbaye, Labastide-D'armagnac, Orthevielle, Marpaps, Aire-Sur-L'adour, Gastes, Saint-Avit, Habas, Caupenne, Saint-Jean-De-Marsacq, Labouheyre, Arengosse, Saugnac-Et-Cambran, Saint-Perdon, Gaujacq, Mimbaste, Luxey, Clermont, Bonnegarde, Lauret, Audignon, Le Frêche, Bas-Mauco, Garrosse, Hinx, Bénesse-Maremne, Luglon, Eugénie-Les-Bains, Lencouacq, Ozourt, Nassiet, Bénesse-Lès-Dax, Miramont-Sensacq, Heugas, Escource, Saint-Sever, Saint-Justin, Lacquy, Pey, Saint-Gein, Angoumé, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Loubouer, Trensacq, Peyre, Gabarret, Vielle-Soubiran, Coudures, Maillas, Estibeaux, Saint-Lon-les-Mines, Maurrin, Duhort-Bachen, Garein, Retjons, Audon, Oeyreluy, Brassempouy, Poyanne, Montsoué, Gamarde-les-Bains, Pimbo, Louer, Carcen-Ponson, Mées, Losse, Hastingues, Samadet, Vielle-Tursan, Labatut, Uchacq-et-Parentis, Pouydesseaux, Aurice, Bordères-et-Lamensans, Pécorade, Belhade, Arthez-d'Armagnac, Pissos, Bahus-Soubiran, Benquet, Monget, Serreslous-et-Arribans
For the full travel overview: Aquitaine.
