Enjoy your stay at our campsite in Moliets in the Landes to discover Le Courant d’Huchet, nicknamed “the Landes Amazon”. Famous for its gallery forest and its water and forest landscapes, Le Courant d’Huchet winds its way from the Léon pond to Moliets beach. Boatmen offer ‘galupe’ rides along this wild and mysterious coastal river. If you prefer hiking, a developed trail allows you to explore the forested part of the reserve. Discover!
The Nature Reserve in a Few Words
Along the Atlantic coast, the Le Courant d’Huchet Nature Reserve stretches over 600 hectares across the municipalities of Léon, Moliets-et-Maâ, and Vielle-Saint-Girons. It encompasses the entire course of Le Courant d’Huchet as well as the western half of the Léon pond.
This magnificent jewel of the Silver Coast is home to a great diversity of remarkable natural environments: dunes, forest, marshes, and peat bogs… As a result, the Le Courant d’Huchet site boasts remarkable flora and fauna. Over 200 bird species can be observed there, such as the Little Bittern, the Black Kite, and the Western Marsh Harrier.
The Le Courant d’Huchet Nature Reserve is also one of the major national sites for the European mink. But that’s not all! Many other animals can be found there, such as otters, European pond turtles, grass snakes, as well as marine species like eels and sea lampreys.
Le Courant d’Huchet on Foot
All year round, guided tours and themed outings are organized by the Maison de la Réserve (Reserve House) located in Léon. The venue also hosts a permanent exhibition dedicated to the natural heritage of the reserve.
Starting from the Pichelèbe bridge in Moliets, several walking routes, accessible to the whole family, allow you to discover the Le Courant d’Huchet reserve. From the Pichelèbe bridge, walkers can reach the banks of the Léon pond by passing through the place called “la Nasse” where an eel fishery once stood. On the side of the Pipe marsh, a specially designed observatory on the dune’s edge allows for the observation of seabirds in their natural habitat.
Galupe Ride from Léon Lake to Moliets Beach
From April to October, it’s possible to discover Le Courant d’Huchet with a boatman on a 10 km ride to the ocean.
Starting from Léon Lake, embark aboard a ‘galupe’, a traditional flat-bottomed boat once used for river transport of goods in the Landes de Gascogne.
Thanks to your guide’s explanations, you’ll learn more about the hidden treasures of this magical place and its secret passages. You’ll traverse the gallery forest amidst lush vegetation composed of centuries-old cork oaks, tangled lianas, Louisiana bald cypresses, royal ferns, Chinese rose hibiscus… Given such exoticism, it’s easier to understand why Le Courant d’Huchet is nicknamed “the Landes Amazon”!
To prepare for your visit, find more information on the website of the Le Courant d’Huchet Nature Reserve. And to book your camping stay in the Landes, discover our mobile home and chalet rentals in Moliets-Plage!
