In the heart of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park, discover the Marquèze Ecomuseum in Sabres. Between nature and heritage, immerse yourself in the rural life of a Landes village at the end of the 19th century and reconnect with the simple pleasures of farm life. A must-visit for your holiday in Landes!
A simple train journey takes you back 150 years!
To visit the Marquèze Ecomuseum, you must first board a time machine, which is none other than a century-old train waiting for passengers on the platform of the small Sabres station. After a ten-minute journey through the forest, on the line that once connected Sabres-Labouheyre-Mimizan, visitors discover a world thought to be long gone, that of a society of shepherd-farmers from the Landes de Gascogne at the end of the 19th century.
Discovery of local, cultural, and natural heritage
Created in 1970 by the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park, the Marquèze Ecomuseum is a true open-air museum that recreates the living environment of an agropastoral society as it was 150 years ago, before this deserted region was exploited by foresters, the pine planters of Landes.
In a vast 25-hectare clearing, between forest and river, about thirty dwellings and farm buildings (barn, sheepfold, chicken coop, bakery, well, bread ovens...) form what is called an 'airial': a typical Landes living area in the 19th century. In this hamlet once lived several peasant families, masters, sharecroppers, and day laborers. A community of about fifty people in total. In 1857, the law enacted by Napoleon III paved the way for massive afforestation of the Landes plains, consequently leading to the expropriation and disappearance of these populations. Nearly 150 years later, the Marquèze Ecomuseum brings to life the daily lives of these inhabitants, their living environment, their traditions, and their know-how.
Exploring the Marquèze Quarter
A visit to the ecomuseum offers a complete immersion into the rural world of the Landes de Gascogne in the 19th century, through the 'airial', the field, the resin-tapped forest, the river, and the gallery forest. There is no set route for the visit. Feel free to wander through the quarter as you wish or follow a guide on a guided tour. To visit the entire site, allow a full day, or at least half a day.
Each house and building offers a glimpse into the way of life of the old Landais people. Everything is furnished and arranged as it was in the 19th century, with period furniture and antique objects. It is a living place, not only for people but also for domestic animals, mostly from rustic breeds such as Landes sheep, Gascon pigs, poultry, and Bordeaux cattle. To make the visit more fun and interactive, the Marquèze Ecomuseum offers many activities for families. The day is punctuated by workshops and demonstrations of ancient know-how: spinning, weaving, resin tapping techniques, traditional hunting and fishing... You can also try Landes stilts with the shepherd, learn Gascon games (palet, rampeau, skittles), learn to braid straw to make a hat, and discover the secrets of soap making. To combine business with pleasure, meeting the baker will be an opportunity to taste a delicious Landes pastis baked in a wood-fired oven! For an even more immersive discovery, shows, musical strolls, and theatrical improvisation sketches recreate scenes of daily Gascon life. A treasure hunt for the youngest visitors and a digital tour will allow everyone to explore the ecomuseum in an original way. If you are curious to learn more about Landes history and culture, we recommend lingering around the Pavilion, opposite Sabres station. The venue houses a rich collection of over 25,000 objects and presents different exhibitions each season.
Practical Information
- Access: Route de la Gare, 40630 Sabres (75 km from Le Saint Martin 5-star Campsite)
- Open from late March to early November
- Prices: €14/adult, €9.50/youth (4-18 years old)
- Traditional restaurant, snack bar, and picnic areas on site
- Leashed dogs allowed except in the Pavilion
- Website: www.marqueze.fr
