With over fifty bodies of water, the Landes lakes offer a peaceful alternative to the ocean. Fine sandy beaches, pine forests, nature reserves, and cycling paths create a playground for swimming, sailing, paddleboarding, or fishing.
Landes Lakes Accessible from the Campsite
Between maritime pine forests, wild dunes, and shimmering expanses of water, the Landes lakes form a territory where nature unfolds without artifice. These bodies of water offer a range of activities suitable for everyone: safe swimming for families, watersports spots for enthusiasts, or contemplative walks in the heart of nature reserves. From our campsite in the Landes, most of these gems are accessible in less than 30 minutes, making day trips easy.
Lake Biscarrosse and Parentis
Nestled between dunes and the Landes forest, the largest natural lake in Nouvelle-Aquitaine (35 km²) owes its elongated shape to the former Leyre valley, now filled with sand. It stretches across the towns of Biscarrosse, Parentis-en-Born, Gastes and Sainte-Eulalie-en-Born. You'll find small, quiet beaches for swimming. Maguide beach (supervised in summer) attracts swimmers with its fine sand and wooden playgrounds. Several watersports centers offer multiple ways to navigate the lake: paddleboarding, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, or kitesurfing.
Don't miss: the Vélodyssée, the French part of EuroVelo 1, allows you to cycle entirely under the pine trees, between Biscarrosse-Plage and Parentis-en-Born (25 km with a greenway).
Practical tip: rent an electric bike at the harbor master's office to explore the South lake, near the port of Gastes.
Access: 7 km from Biscarrosse town center.
Lake Cazaux-Sanguinet
Straddling the Gironde and Landes departments, Lake Cazaux-Sanguinet is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in France with its 55 km². Located 25 minutes from the Arcachon Bay, Lake Sanguinet is an ideal playground for watersports enthusiasts: sailing, windsurfing, pedal boating, canoeing-kayaking, waterskiing, as well as paddleboarding and kitesurfing. Several swimming areas are accessible: Caton beach, Pavillon beach in Sanguinet, and Bardets beach.
For anglers : the lake is home to pike, zander, perch, black bass, carp, tench, and trout. Permit required (on sale at the tourist office).
Hiking: a large loop starting from Biscarrosse Plage allows you to walk along the shore of Lake Cazaux-Sanguinet.
Sanguinet Night Market: every Wednesday (7 PM to 11 PM) and Saturday (7 PM to midnight) in July-August.
Access: Take the Teste road (D112), direction Cazaux (south of the town).
Lake Aureilhan and Mimizan
Lake Aureilhan (332 hectares) is also one of the large Landes lakes. It extends over three towns: Aureilhan, Mimizan and Saint-Paul en Born. This protected site was formed from the 6th century by the invasion of sea sands. Today, it's a popular spot for watersports enthusiasts with its calm waters ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, Hawaiian outrigger canoeing and rowing. A hiking trail allows you to go around the lake (13 km) and discover the typical fauna and flora of the Landes wetlands.
Don't miss: Woolsack Castle and the Promenade Fleurie (over 400 species of flowers and plants).
Pontoon Beach: supervised swimming, Restaurant du Lac (Right Bank Quay) serves local smoked eels, a forgotten specialty.
Access: about 5 km from Mimizan-Plage via the cycling path.
Lake Léon
With an area of 340 hectares, the Léon Lake is one of the great lakes of the Landes. Located between the villages of Léon and Vielle-Saint-Girons, the lake is home to several developed beaches for swimming (supervised in summer). The swimming area is shallow and sheltered from the wind. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a multitude of water activities: stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, windsurfing, pedal boating, optimist sailing, and dinghy sailing. To find out more, read our article dedicated to activities at Léon Lake!
To do: a guided tour in a traditional boat (with the Huchet current boatmen) to discover the small "Landes Amazonia".
Don't miss: the Festaloun, three days of festivities and entertainment in July.
Access: via the D817, Route du Puntaou, 40550 Léon.
Lake Soustons
With an area of 380 hectares, this natural Landes lake, classified as a Natural Site since 1968, is located in the heart of the town of Soustons. A Natura 2000 zone, the body of water allows swimming in shallow and warmer water than the ocean (supervised swimming). Sports enthusiasts can enjoy paddleboarding, canoeing, sailing. The Nautical Center offers kayak descents to Lake Marin de Port d'Albret. A treetop adventure course along the lake and bike rides on the cycling paths surround the lake.
Don't miss: the large children's playground and the giant XL paddleboards for the whole family.
Where to picnic: Pointe des Vergnes, in the company of numerous and unafraid squirrels.
Access: exit Magescq → Soustons → parking lots near the east bank (easy)
Lake Vieux-Boucau (Port d'Albret)
The only artificial marine lake in France (50 hectares), Lake Port d'Albret is an exceptional body of water, where seawater and freshwater offer unique navigation conditions! Warmer than the ocean, it's the ideal spot to try watersports with the family: catamaran sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking. The Nautical Center offers courses, private lessons, and equipment rental. Calm and protected waters = guaranteed safety for beginners!
Lake tour on foot or by bike: a 4 km loop developed around the lake.
To try: miniature electric boats to go around the central island.
Access: D652 - Port d'Albret Parking.
Lake Arjuzanx
A former lignite mine operated from 1958 to 1983, this exceptional 2,600-hectare site (including 400 hectares with free access) became a national nature reserve in 2022. As the premier French site for wintering common cranes, Arjuzanx is one of the few places in Europe where you can observe these majestic birds in such conditions! With 110,000 visitors per year, it is THE must-see nature destination in the Landes. The lake features a developed and supervised beach, perfect for enjoying a swim in complete safety.
Reserve House: exhibitions, educational panels, guided tours, and artisanal souvenirs. An excellent starting point to better understand the history and ecology of the site.
To do: the "Crane People" trail with a scenographic area and artistic sculptures on the Menjuc bank.
Access: via the A63 then Morcenx.
