Contis-Plage can be explored from three different angles: its long sandy beach, the Phare de Contis and the cycling route. You can shape your stay around the water, culture or a manageable bike ride, without combining these into a set itinerary. When choosing your accommodation, it is helpful to start by deciding which of these will define your stay: the beach and water sports, the lighthouse or a ride along the Transversale 4.

Plan your time by the beach and water around the season

Contis Beach is five kilometres long and has light, golden sand. Surfing takes place at the beach, and swimming is supervised in summer. If you are coming to Contis to swim, check the current lifeguard hours locally. Canoe trips on the Courant de Contis are available seasonally. Stand-up paddleboarding is also possible there, depending on the season and availability. Water activities therefore vary by location and time of year: surfing and supervised summer swimming are the main activities at the beach, while seasonal canoe and SUP trips take place on the Courant. Check the current canoe trip dates and stand-up paddleboard availability in advance.

The lighthouse and maritime history

The Phare de Contis was built from 1861 to 1863 to plans by architect Léonce Reynaud. Visitors reach the dome by a cast-iron staircase with 184 steps; access may depend on operating conditions. By decree of 6 November 2009, the lighthouse was listed as a historic monument. Its construction dates and precise number of steps give a visit a tangible historical and spatial context.

Another maritime landmark is the Estèle de la Ma. It is one of only two authentic traditional coastal pinasses on the French Atlantic coast and is listed in the inventory of historic monuments in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The lighthouse and the pinasse represent different aspects of local heritage: the architecture of a beacon on the one hand, and a traditional type of boat on the other. Those interested in the history of the coast can discover two distinct perspectives without treating them as a single attraction.

The Transversale 4 by bike

The Transversale 4 is an easy 9.2-kilometre bike ride with a stated duration of 45 minutes. It starts at Contis Beach and reaches the Vélodyssée about 200 metres away. The route connects Contis with Saint-Julien-en-Born via a greenway. The distance, stated difficulty level and estimated duration provide specific information to help you fit the ride into your stay. The link to the Vélodyssée and the connection to Saint-Julien-en-Born are two distinct reference points along the route.

The film festival and when to visit

The Festival du film de Contis was founded in 1996 and is based in Contis-Plage, in the municipality of Saint-Julien-en-Born in the Landes department. The festival is suspended in 2026. If a film event is important to your trip, take this specific year into account when planning. This keeps the festival’s history part of Contis-Plage’s cultural profile without assuming there will be an edition in 2026.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Commensacq, Hagetmau, Gourbera, Soorts-Hossegor, Eugénie-Les-Bains, Luglon, Bordères-et-Lamensans, Orx.

Back to the main travel overview: Landes.