The defining themes of Heugas include the history of its church, the architecture of a washhouse and distinctive landscape features. The village’s history also provides its own point of reference: since 1936, the centre has been at its current location, not by the church. When planning your visit, it is therefore worth considering the historic sites, the regular running event and the landscape as separate aspects of your stay.
Church and History of Heugas
The church of Heugas was originally called “Sainte Marie de Moros”. It was a former priory dependent on the Abbey of Sorde. These details place the church both in local history and in its former ecclesiastical connection to Sorde.
The oldest part of the parish church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption is the semicircular apse. It dates from the first phase of construction, associated with Guillaume de Heugas, Bishop of Dax (1117–1143). The apse and the former priory’s history are distinct historical connections to the church: one concerns its development as a building, the other its ties to the Abbey of Sorde.
The Washhouse and Chapelle du Coudaingt
The Lavoir du Chanon, a washhouse, has a square structure typical of washhouses in the Landes. One side is open and faces the rectangular, also open, water basin. The structure’s shape and its orientation towards the basin give the washhouse its distinctive layout.
Its restoration is also part of the site’s history: restoration of the washhouse began in 2012. During the work, its springs were restored, supplying water to the basins again. Thus, the washhouse combines its architectural design with the restoration of its water supply.
The Chapelle du Coudaingt has a different origin story. Hector Poymiro had it built in the 19th century as a funerary chapel for his daughter. In 2019, it was renovated and converted into a cultural hall.
Yves, the “guardian of Heugas history”, offers visitors a chance to discover picturesque places in his village. These include the church and the Chapelle du Coudaingt; along the way, he talks about the village’s origins and distinctive character. If you would like to plan this activity, check before travelling whether it is available at your preferred time.
Landscape and Activity
The communal forest of Heugas covers 160 hectares. Pedunculate oaks and other valuable tree species grow there. Les Barthes are flood-prone wet meadows and private plots that naturally help regulate flooding during high water. The Luy is one of the two rivers that bound Heugas. The Bassecq is one of the two rivers that bound Heugas. Together, the forest, wetlands and rivers offer different landscape features, each with its own function.
There is a specific regular time for a run: the Heugas Jogging Club welcomes members and non-members every Wednesday at 7 p.m. The run starts from the car park at the childcare centre. This gives the activity a clearly defined time; it does not specify a route or duration.
Getting Around and Your Stay
Since 1936, the centre of Heugas has been at its current location, not by the church. The church and the centre are therefore two separate points of reference for finding your way around. This is useful when exploring the village’s history or planning time around its different themes: the church’s history covers its construction phases and former connection to the Abbey of Sorde, while the washhouse and the chapel each have their own construction and restoration histories. The run, meanwhile, has a named weekly time. These distinctions give your stay a clear structure without combining the historic sites, landscape and physical activity into a single item on the itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Biarrotte, Arthez-d’Armagnac, Baigts, Léon, Saint-Avit, Saint-Cricq-Chalosse, Pécorade, Miramont-Sensacq.
For the broader travel overview: Landes.
