Saint-Michel-Escalus lies on the Palue, in the landscape of maritime pines of CĂ´te Landes Nature. Two churches, river scenery and natural areas offer several ways to enjoy a stay: architectural history, trails through green landscapes and activities on the water.
Natural setting along the Palue
Designated as a sensitive natural area, Étang du Houa extends across Saint-Michel-Escalus, Vielle-Saint-Girons and Léon; it covers 48.34 hectares. Étang du Houa is freely accessible, with no facilities. Dogs are permitted on a leash, bicycles are allowed on the paths, and marked hiking trails are nearby. The Circuit du Bas-Rouge follows the Palue through the Bas Rouge Nature40 site.
Two churches and their history
Following the merger of the former parishes of Saint-Michel and Escalus, Saint-Michel-Escalus has two churches. The Église Saint-Pierre d’Escalus was rebuilt at its present location: the former church near the Palue could no longer be used because of winter flooding, and Masses were no longer held there. The present building has a neoclassical appearance; it consists of a single-nave hall with a flat-ended choir and an entrance porch crowned by a bell tower. The Puits Saint-Pierre is the only surviving part of the former church in Escalus.
The parish church of Saint-Michel has a single-nave hall, a flat-ended choir and a broad, semicircular entrance porch. Classified as a historic monument, the Église Saint-Michel has a carved wooden pulpit. The Église St-Michel (de Gieure) is Romanesque in origin; loopholes were used for defence, and massive buttresses characterize the building.
Activities on the water and on land
Canoë Land offers a two-hour canoe or kayak trip on the Palue through a protected natural area classified as Natura 2000. Canoë du Pont Neuf has offered trips on the Palue since 1979, including a two-hour tour through a Natura 2000 area. Canoë Land’s facilities are open to everyone; boats for one to three people, a shuttle bus, a snack bar and a picnic area are available. Canoë du Pont Neuf has places to eat and picnic on site.
After a half-hour introduction, Rando Quad offers one-hour guided quad rides on a fenced, 30-hectare woodland site with no road traffic. Escape Land offers one-hour cooperative escape-game sessions in Saint-Michel-Escalus for teams of three to five people. The Palue trips each last two hours, while the quad ride and escape game each last one hour; quad riding also includes a half-hour introduction.
Architectural forms and local traditions
The Source Saint Antoine is located on the grounds of Huttopia Landes Sud, at the edge of marshland, and is easy to spot thanks to a large wooden cross. According to local tradition, the water is believed to have healing properties for skin conditions; a legend tells of a shepherd named Bernard who incurred the spring’s wrath.
A traditional Landes bergerie is a wooden agro-pastoral sheep shelter on an airial. Its three-sided roof and east-facing opening are characteristic of this building type; it was used to house sheep while grazing or over winter.
Around 29 September, the Tuc de Saint Michel weekend is celebrated with Gascon culture, music, dancing and chicken with onions. The exact programme may vary; check the event dates if you are planning to attend the festival.
Discover more destinations: Rimbez Et Baudiets, Montsoué, Belhade, Gabarret, Soorts-Hossegor, Laluque, Maylis, Habas.
For the full travel overview: Landes.
