Saint-Étienne-D'orthe brings together the regularly flooded Barthes wetlands in the Adour Valley, a listed church and the history of Rasport, the former harbor. From the town center, there are panoramic views of the Pyrenees. The area can be explored from different perspectives: wetlands, architectural and decorative history, and the former use of the waterways.
Barthes: wetlands and water management
The Barthes are regularly flooded areas of the Adour Valley, home to a rich variety of wildlife and plant life. The municipality invites visitors to take walks in the Barthes and along local trails. Both the natural landscape and the local trails offer ways to explore the surrounding area on foot.
A 3 km-long dike protects the Barthes. Canals and sluice gates regulate the rise in water caused by the tides. Regular flooding shapes the natural landscape, while the tide-related rise in water levels is regulated. This brings together a richly biodiverse landscape and practical flood protection and water-management measures.
A church spanning several eras
The church of Saint-Étienne-D'orthe has been listed as a historic monument since 2008. It probably dates from the late 15th or early 16th century; the tower porch was added later. These dates alone show that the building cannot be attributed to a single period of construction.
The church houses a richly decorated, gilded walnut-wood altarpiece from the mid-18th century, classified as a historic monument. The building and its furnishings reflect different periods: the altarpiece is much more recent than the church’s likely origins. Its material, gilding and separate historic-monument classification make it a distinct part of local cultural history.
Rasport and the history of life on the water
Rasport is the former harbor of Saint-Étienne-D'orthe. Until 1970, it was home to a quarter of fishermen and boatmen, as well as a fishermen’s restaurant. This date refers to the former quarter and restaurant, making Rasport’s harbor past a clearly defined part of local history.
Timber rafts from Chalosse set off from Rasport toward the ocean. This historic connection adds waterborne transport to the story of the fishermen and boatmen. While the church tells the story of the building and its furnishings, Rasport draws attention to the former use of the harbor and work on the water.
Honey and apiary visits at Apid'Or
Apid'Or sells its own honey directly all year round. Apiary visits are available by prior arrangement and are limited to a maximum of four people per visit. The average duration varies by type of visit: 30 minutes for individual visitors and 75 minutes for groups.
Buying honey and visiting the apiary are different ways to discover Apid'Or: honey is sold directly all year round, while apiary visits require advance booking and their own time allocation. When planning, bear in mind that the stated average duration is longer for groups. Check the latest arrangements before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Bénesse-Lès-Dax, Gaujacq, Saint-Perdon, Vieux-Boucau-Les-Bains, Contis-Plage, Ondres, Biscarrosse, Hinx.
Return to the regional travel overview: Landes.
