Gironde by canoe

Île aux Oiseaux by sea kayak

There are almost 300 species of birds on Gironde’s most famous island. If you’re an avid birdwatcher, there’s no better way to get up close than by sea kayak – a light, silent craft that takes you as near as you’re likely to get to their habitat.
Maison de la Nature du Bassin d’Arcachon
+33 5 56 22 80 93 
www.parc-landes-de-gascogne.fr

Descendre la Leyre en canoë

A river flowing through the heart of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, the Leyre’s nickname, “little Amazon” is a well deserved one – oak, ash and willow trees make up an immense gallery forest reigned over by the majestic Royal Osmunda fern. Vast stretches of wetland border the river and are home to a precious multitude of land and water fauna, including dragonflies, otters, mink, herons, kingfishers and European pond terrapins, a protected species.

It is only by canoe or kayak that you can really get to know the Leyre up close – a river used in the 19^th century for floating lumber downstream. Today, its banks have returned to their original wild state.

You can set off for a few hours or for several days – the Leyre is a good 100 km long – in the company of a qualified instructor, a river guide, or simply by hiring all the necessary navigation equipment for yourself.
+33 5 56 22 80 93 
www.parc-landes-de-gascogne.fr