Lac de Parentis covers 3,540 hectares and is one of Parentis-en-Born’s defining features. The town also offers cultural points of interest such as Église Saint-Pierre, as well as ways to enjoy activities on the water, on foot or by bike. This gives you several options when planning your trip: lake activities, local history and events.
Water, trails and outdoor activities
Swimming, canoeing and sailing are possible on Lac de Parentis. The École municipale de voile welcomes visitors and residents from April to October; operating dates may vary from year to year. It offers annual memberships, courses and rentals of windsurf boards and foil boards, catamarans, Optimists, canoes and paddleboards. Rental options may change. Sailing courses are open to children aged eight and older for Optimist sailing and nine and older for windsurfing. Catamaran courses are reserved for teenagers and adults.
The municipality also provides information about water skiing, including permitted activities, applicable rules and designated areas on Lac de Parentis-Biscarrosse. If you plan to take part, you can check the information in advance. Parentis-en-Born also has hiking and cycling trails. One way to combine nature and heritage on a walk is the “Terra Aventura: L'Or Noir du pays de Born” treasure hunt. It is done using a smartphone or GPS. The route runs along the water, covers three kilometres and takes about two hours. Check whether the app is available before your trip.
Other options offer different experiences: guided ecological tours introduce visitors to the local flora and fauna. Les Ecuries de l'Hacienda offers horse and pony rides, riding lessons and courses; the rides take place by the lake or in the forest, and routes and conditions may vary. Plage Moutéou Pipiou has fine sand, a children's playground and picnic tables; swimming is also possible there in calm water. Facilities and supervision are seasonal. Parentis Aventure is a treetop adventure park along Lac de Parentis-en-Born. Check its seasonal opening dates before you travel.
Fishing is another activity described here. Pêche à la truite de Parentis du Moulin d’Esleys offers rod fishing for beginners and experienced anglers. Fishing equipment is provided free of charge; no fishing card or permit is required for this activity. As the service details may change and the activity is seasonal, it is advisable to check access times. Fishing guide Arnaud FAMERY offers boat trips to fish for predatory species in the lakes of the Landes. Port du Piaou in Parentis-en-Born is one possible meeting point; meeting arrangements may vary depending on the booking.
Church, architecture and local history
The present-day Église Saint-Pierre was built toward the end of the 15th century. It is a stop on the coastal route of the Way of St James in the Landes. The church also houses a wooden Christ from the 17th century, classified by the Commission des Beaux-Arts. This makes it a specific point of interest for anyone wishing to include church architecture and historic objects in their trip.
The Arènes Roland Portalier tell a different story. Built in 1927, they hosted fighting bulls from 28 August that year, and prominent bullfighters performed there at the time. The Fronton de Parentis-en-Born was built in 1956 as a wall for Basque pelota. The Feria Sen Bertomiu was first held in 1996 and included cavalcades, bandas and bodegas. The programme may vary from one edition to the next.
Events and cultural activities
The Saison Culturelle Parentissoise is an annual programme featuring performances by professional ensembles. It includes comedy, theatre and chanson; the specific selection changes from season to season. The Salon du Livre is held every year in Parentis-en-Born and brings together authors, illustrators, publishers and booksellers. If you plan to attend, check the dates and venue for the relevant edition.
The Médiathèque municipale also offers a variety of free events that are open to everyone. Reading on site and attending an event are also free. As the municipal offering may change and the programme varies, it is worth checking the latest information if you are planning a specific visit.
Discover more destinations: Bonnegarde, Saint-Pierre-Du-Mont, Ousse-Suzan, Coudures, Saint-Paul-Lès-Dax, Saint-Avit, Lévignacq, Uza.
For the broader travel overview: Landes.
