Nestled between the villages of Léon and Vielle-Saint-Girons, in the Landes department, Lake Léon attracts many holidaymakers in summer. Everything is designed for families to enjoy wonderful holidays filled with all kinds of activities. Discover!
Enjoy the beach and swimming
South of Lake Léon, just 10 km from your Landes campsite, the Lake Beach attracts holidaymakers seeking coolness and calm. Here, the water is warmer than the ocean, the sand is very clean, and swimming is supervised during the summer. There are no waves, no currents, and children can stand quite far from the shore. The only downside is that the beach isn’t very big. Go in the morning, before 11 AM, to be sure to get a spot.
- The beach is supervised from July 1st to August 31st, from 12 PM to 7 PM. For people with reduced mobility, a tiralo is available upon request at the first aid station.
- On site: large parking lot 50m away, children’s playgrounds, mini golf, rides for little ones, bars, restaurants, ice cream and snack bar, picnic tables in the shade of trees, showers and toilets.
- Léon beach allows dogs on a leash, but swimming is prohibited for them.
Discover a new water activity
With an area of 340 hectares, Lake Léon (or Léon Pond) is part of the Great Landes Lakes. It offers a fantastic playground for a multitude of water activities. Rent a giant stand-up paddleboard, a pedal boat, or an electric boat and embark on a family adventure on the lake. For sports enthusiasts, windsurfing, Optimist dinghies, sailing dinghies, and canoe-kayaking are also on the program.
- École Française de Voile: courses, individual lessons, and rental of wing sails, paddleboards, canoes, windsurfing boards, Lake Léon Beach, Tel. : 06 32 23 43 01.
- Canoë Surfing: canoe-kayak rental, 45 rue des Berges du Lac, 40550 Léon, Tel. : 06 87 70 65 55.
- Chez Gisou: pedal boat rental, electric boats (6 people), pedal boats with slide, 130 rue des Berges du Lac, 40550 Léon, Tel. : 06 75 23 90 95.
Enjoy the entertainment: the National Holiday at the lake
A vibrant and lively place, Lake Léon offers numerous festivities each year, from spring to autumn. Among the summer highlights not to be missed is the July 14th fireworks display. On the program: a country meal by the lake, a concert, and fireworks launched from the lake’s banks at 11 PM.
Also read: what to do, what to see in the village of Léon?
Fishing from the pontoons
Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck at Lake Léon. A second-category body of water, this Landes pond is very popular with anglers who enjoy coming here to hunt for big fish. White fish (carp, bream, roach, tench…) and especially predators like pike, perch, zander, and black bass.
- Accessible, shaded, and equipped fishing trail: Chemin du Suisse, to the right upon arriving at the lake. Fishing pontoon with pathway and parking for people with reduced mobility.
Immerse yourself in nature
Classified as a nature reserve and Natura 2000 site, Lake Léon is very popular with nature lovers, particularly thanks to the Courant d’Huchet Nature Reserve which connects the Landes lake to the Atlantic Ocean. The site is home to many animals such as the European otter, the grey heron, and the European pond turtle, a rare and protected species. Keep your eyes… and ears open!
- Walking trails starting from Pichelèbe bridge on the D328 in Moliets (network of routes from 2 km to 9 km)
- The Reserve House: exhibition on the reserve’s natural heritage, guided tours with a naturalist guide. Address: 374 rue des Berges du Lac, 40550 Léon, Tel. : 05 58 48 73 91.
Take a boat trip on the Courant d’Huchet
Hop aboard a “galupe“, a traditional flat-bottomed boat, and let the boatmen guide you through the winding channels of this little Amazon of the Landes. From Lake Léon to the mouth at Moliets-et-Maâ, enjoy a micro-adventure full of exotic charm. A unique outing to enjoy with family, friends, or as a couple! Find out more: Read our article on walking or boat trips on the Courant d’Huchet.
- Bateliers du Courant d’Huchet: Pichelèbe chalet, departmental road 328, 40560 Moliets-et-Maâ, mandatory reservation (3-week waiting period in July and August), Tel.: 05 58 48 75 39 or 06 27 82 19 36, www.bateliers-courant-huchet.fr.
