Museums and cultural visits in the Landes

The Landes have been inhabited since prehistoric times. With such a long and rich history, this country has a deeply rooted culture. Its traditions are imbued with the specificities of this life between forest and ocean. Many museums retrace this rural and authentic daily life, in this wine-growing and agricultural region. They reveal to us the ancestral know-how and ancient trades and show us the arts and crafts that result from them, from prehistory to the present day.

Its magnificent forest and regional park, its numerous sporting activities at sea or in its numerous lakes, its seaside and spa resorts..., the Landes already has no shortage of tourist attractions. Between the immense mouth of the Gironde, the Gers and its gastronomy, the Pyrenees mountains, the ocean and its riches, this former province of Gascony is at the heart of multiple influences which have forged its character, its heritage and its culture. To discover it, immerse yourself in it and better appreciate this beautiful country, we take you on a cultural trip to the Landes.

Museums to visit with the family

Army Light Aviation and Helicopter Museum (ALAT)

South of the Adour, in Dax, the Army Light Aviation and Helicopter Museum has an exceptional collection of 40 vintage aircraft and helicopters. A veteran will give you a tour and tell you stories and anecdotes about these extraordinary machines. Young or old, you will come away with your head in the clouds and stars in your eyes.

Seaplane Museum

On the northern coast of the Landes, Biscarrosse was chosen for its geographical features, ideal for testing the first French seaplanes. Today, a museum retraces this unique experience.

In Butterfly Paradise

A living museum, does that tempt you? We'll take you to paradise, no less! It's located in Sanguinet. At the Butterfly Paradise, you'll enter a marvelous garden that will amaze you. During a guided tour, you'll take a world tour of butterfly species, but not only that. The aquarium will show you unusual fish. In the greenhouse, you'll also encounter other insects, well hidden in the exuberant flora. It's an exotic and magical journey that will delight young and old alike.

Marquèze Ecomuseum

In the Landes Regional Natural Park, the Marquèz Ecomuseum will teach you about the traditions and lifestyle of the inhabitants of the natural park in the 19^th century. Very educational and fun, it is particularly aimed at children.

For lovers of heritage and the life of yesteryear

Small museum of Landes history

In Grenade-sur-l'Adour, at the Landes History Museum, we tell you the story of the daily life of the Landes people. It is a local museum about life in the 20^th century. As its name suggests, it is an authentic, intimate and welcoming "small museum".

Chalosse Museum

In Montfort-en-Chalosse, in a beautiful farmhouse, the Chalosse Museum tells you about life on the lands of "Chalosse". It is a living and bustling museum with reconstructions, workshops and a guided tour.

Museum of Rural Life in the Landes region

In Laluque, the rural life museum invites you to discover the tools, trades and activities of the farm and the forest.

Armagnac Ecomuseum

Around the vine, a whole way of life has been created, with its specific professions : winegrower, winemaker, cooper, distiller for eaux-de-vie… and its particular rhythm between viticulture, harvest and aging. The Armagnac Museum in Labastide-d'Armagnac retraces the stages of this production, which takes years, before you can taste these precious beverages. It offers original activities : an escape game "Mission distillation", becoming a grape harvester for a day, guided tours and one-off activities.

House of Heritage and Ancient Trades

To better understand the rural culture of the Landes, a visit to the Maison du Patrimoine in Mimizan is a must. Exhibitions of collections, videos and demonstrations will allow you to better understand the Landes forest and appreciate its importance for the inhabitants. You will be able to put yourself in the shoes of the workers around and in the forest, and discover the professions of shepherd and resin collector. To experiment, children can participate in workshops and fun activities.

Arthous Abbey

Come and discover the Abbey of Arthous, a sumptuous Historic Monument, with a rich history that is revealed during a visit and exhibitions. Art, history, heritage, this ancient 12th century Abbey is open from April to November.

Landes d'Antan Museum

The Landes d'Antan Museum, in Lit-et-Mixe, takes you to the heart of the life of the people of Marensin in the 19th and 20th centuries. These shepherds on stilts, these peasants who still fed themselves from their own land and these resin collectors who lived thanks to the pines of the Landes.

Museum of Traditions

Open only in season, don't miss the Museum of Traditions in Biscarrosse. It presents everyday objects, old tools, but above all it will allow you to better understand "tapping" or "resining", a very important activity for the inhabitants of the Landes forest.

Art in all its forms

Brassempouy Prehistoric Site

Known for its famous Lady, the Brassempouy Prehistosite offers an immersion in the heart of a large-scale archaeological site. We begin the visit with its museum and its magnificent remains to admire. Then, we enter the Archéoparc, where activities and demonstrations allow us to experience and "live" prehistory, as if we were there : lighting a fire, making flint knives... In October, it is transformed into a hunting lodge for a prehistoric weapons shooting championship.

Departmental Museum of Earthenware and Tableware

In Samadet, the earthenware museum shows you a very beautiful collection of earthenware. It explains the techniques and the evolution of fashion and everyday objects. It also introduces children and adults to artistic creation during its clay modeling and painting workshops using ancestral techniques.

Despiau-Wlérick Museum

In addition to its rich collection of sculptures, the Despiau-Wlérick Museum in Mont-de-Marsan explains in its graphic art room how the works are created. It also offers temporary exhibitions and activities, particularly for young people.

Georgette Dupouy Museum

It is the world of painting that we discover in Dax, at the Georgette Dupouy Museum. This painter has exhibited her works in the greatest halls in the world and alongside the greatest names in painting. The association's volunteers are passionate and enthusiastic, and will help you appreciate this artist who is little known in France.

Borda Museum

In Dax, in the Chapelle des Carmes, the Borda Museum houses very varied collections. The theme changes every year: paleontology, archaeology, ethnography, fine arts... The guided tour also includes the crypt of the chapel, with the remains of the foundations of a Roman basilica.

Cycling and biking

The “little bicycle museum”, the collection of an enthusiast

Whether you're an amateur or a passionate enthusiast, to learn all about history, racing equipment or major events, don't miss the bicycle museum in Lit-et-Mixe. There, you'll have the opportunity to admire some rare pieces and meet the owner who will share his passion with you. You can also rent bikes there.

Our Lady of Cyclists

Notre Dame des Cyclistes is a charming chapel. But for cycling enthusiasts, it's definitely worth a visit. Offered as ex-votos, hundreds of jerseys from famous cyclists are on display inside, as well as vintage bicycles. For enthusiasts or curious visitors, it's a unique way to discover the world and history of cycling and the "Tour de France."

There are many museums to discover in the Landes region. We hope this overview of cultural visits has inspired you, but we cannot be exhaustive.

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