In the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park

Zoom in on the Leyre  

The Leyre winds through the heart of the Gascogne forest for almost 100 km before mingling its fresh waters with the salt waters of the Arcachon Basin . Its 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 fragile multitude of land and water fauna, including dragonflies, otters, mink, herons, kingfishers and European pond terrapins.

The Leyre is navigable by canoe and other small craft, and is a perfect setting for river excursions – lasting just a few hours or for days at a time.

Exploring the Park…

On foot, along theme-based paths:
 
-  The coastal path  runs alongside the shores of the Arcachon Basin and the vast preserved areas of the Leyre, departing from Le Teich port.

-  Every year, the Teich Ornithological  Park   welcomes thousands of birds and as many visitors! Two itineraries, both marked out with information panels, and a score of observation cabins

-  The “Domaine de Certes ”  in Audenge is the property of the Conservatoire du Littoral, and is a migratory site of major international importance for many species of birds, including the white spoonbill. This ancient salt marsh is now devoted to protection of natural milieus.

-  The “Demoiselles Path ” in Hostens gives visitors an understanding of the development of a former lignite extraction site that has now been converted into an area devoted to leisure activities

The  “Gât-Mort Lagoons ”  path (Sensitive Natural Area) in Louchats takes visitors into the hidden milieu of the lagoons formed in the Ice Age, a characteristic feature of the Landes region

By mountain bike

The Park’s roads are suitable for bicycling and mountain biking, both ideal ways of discovering its many churches and the local rural heritage (which includes fountains, wash houses and pigeon-hunters’ hides).
Among the many possible routes, the cycle path from South Gironde to the Arcachon Basin runs along a disused railway track, crossing the north of the Park from one side to the other, a distance of almost 80 km.

By Canoe

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.

On horseback

Gallop your way among heather, gorse and broom through unfenced forest landscapes – the Park is a real paradise for riding enthusiasts!
There are marked-out riding trails in the north-east of the Park (extending on to the Graves and Sauterne regions).
For a day’s worth of riding or longer stays: Domaine des Argentières Riding Centre in Biganos, Le Volcelest Riding Centre in Joué (Belin-Beliet), and Le Haras du Delta and Villetorte Loisirs in Le Teich.
Also worth exploring are the Moncau Botanical Path in Auros and the railway workshops in Saint-Symphorien.

 +33 5 57 71 99 99
www.parc-landes-de-gascogne.fr

The Domaine Départemental de Sports et de Loisirs Gérard Lagors    
In Hostens is a 600-hectare estate listed as a Sensitive Natural Area , and is equipped for exploration of the natural milieu of the Landes and for a range of outdoor leisure activities

 Open-air activities:

Mountain biking     (6 years-olds upwards): on cycle paths, bump track and trials area.

Archery  (6 year-olds upwards): on an enclosed 7-position range with targets up to 30 metres away.

Climbing on an outdoor manmade structure  (6 year-olds upwards): 7 metres high with 6 routes including 3 at an incline.

O rientation race  (6 year-olds upwards): 3 possible levels of difficulty, with 3 itineraries of different distances and with varying numbers of beacons.

Fishing  (6-18 year-olds): two small ponds, with determination keys to help recognise the fish you catch.

Riding activities  (in partnership with the local riding centre)

Tennis  (in partnership with the Landes Girondines Tennis Club Association)

Discovering   nature  (6 year-olds upwards):  Fauna, flora, geology and site history. Environmental education by nature guides.
Discovering the 5 lakes by bicycle:  in a series of stages

Water activities:

Cano eing and kayaking  (  6 year-olds upwards)

Sailing     (6 year-olds upwards): in a dinghy or Optimist. 3-hour slots only.

Beach-polo  (8 year-olds upwards)

Condition:  under 18-year-olds must hold a 25-metre swimming certificate to go canoeing, kayaking or sailing.

Trekking  :

Half-day for kids  :  canoeing, orientation race, bike and run.

Half-day for adults  :  canoeing, footrace, orientation race, bike and run.

Different itinerary formats can be made up upon request.

Free admission and car parks

+33 5 56 88 70 29