Mont-de-Marsan, a town in the countryside, a haven of peace in the heart of the Landes

City or nature, you don't have to choose since Mont-de-Marsan offers both in one place, the opportunity to experience an eclectic stay at your own pace. Sweetness of life, activity, gastronomy, heritage and festivities, you will be fascinated by this destination with two faces which invites you to disconnect for the time of a getaway. Welcome to Mont-de-Marsan, a town in the countryside in the Landes.

Cover photo credit ©Aurélie Lovullo

An urban and natural escape in the southwest

Mont-de-Marsan offers a true break from time to holidaymakers happy to discover this joyful mix of towns. Surrounded by the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park, it exudes the joy of living with its lively pedestrian streets, restaurant and café terraces, green spaces and banks ideal for strolls. Mont-de-Marsan, crossed by the Midou and Douze rivers which join into one called the Midouze, is a little corner of paradise where the presence of water offers a unique serenity to this natural town.

An artistic city to discover at your own pace

The visit to Mont-de-Marsan begins with its urban side with atypical and cultural routes that take you to the heart of the city, along the banks of the 3 rivers and in the Jean Rameau park, a true urban green lung. Once again, nature imposes itself in the discovery of Mont-de-Marsan on surprising artistic itineraries:

• The sculptural trail presents some thirty works installed in Mont-de-Marsan from the Despiau Wlérick Museum collection. This fun and educational walk allows visitors to discover the artists and their sculptures with an explanatory map and an outdoor exhibition open to curious visitors of all ages.
• The street art trail reveals a dozen diverse works of art, each as beautiful as it is surprising, a contemporary artistic expression taking over the streets of Mont-de-Marsan. Colorful, graphic, gigantic or discreet, they are accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Download the tours from the montdemarsan-tourisme.com website and let yourself be guided; each work is numbered.

A natural and lively town in the Landes

It's impossible to get bored in Mont-de-Marsan! All year round, there are festivities, including concerts, festivals, shows, flea markets, markets, and even garage sales, with some highlights not to be missed:

• The Saint-Roch market is one of the 100 most beautiful markets in France. Every Saturday and Tuesday morning, producers set up their stalls filled with local Landes produce to delight locals and holidaymakers with the region's flavors. With vegetables, breads, meats, and cheeses, plan your morning to wander the aisles.

• The Fête de la Madeleine , an unmissable summer event celebrating the art of living in the southwest, is a collection of concerts, parades, meals and shows over 5 nights and 5 days of fun. Mark the date in your diaries, it happens every year in July!
• The Arte Flamenco International Festival showcases Andalusian culture through a varied program of dance, music, and theater over a week in summer.

You'll love the crazy energy of Mont-de-Marsan!
Check out the agenda for this nature city

The Mont-de-Marsan National Urban Park, a green setting surrounding the town

Peace, quiet, and serenity await you in the heart of the Landes region if you're a fan of relaxation. In the Mons metropolitan area, five sites showcase the region's natural heritage , spaces maintained and developed throughout the year to offer you a privileged setting for rest and relaxation.

• The Irish Airial and Nine Fountains Ponds is a former 20-hectare farm that offers a glimpse of local wildlife.
• The Massy Fishing Pond is a body of water surrounded by rainforests where many species have made their home. Fishing is the star attraction, but several hiking trails, a playground, and picnic areas provide opportunities for a wonderful day out.
• Les Mottes Castrales de Castets is a remnant of a vast continental plain which today offers 3 marked trails to discover this historic landscaped site.
• The Banks of the Midouze stretch over 16km along the river, an incredible place for walking and a refreshing break around Mont-de-Marsan.
• The Limac wetlands are magnificent, expanses of greenery that are home to a renowned ecological richness. Awareness panels present the wetland flora, while a landscaped reception area invites you to relax in the peace and quiet of nature.

Hiking, fishing, sightseeing and discovery, what a pleasure to be both in the city and in the countryside.

Photo credit ©OTCA Mont de Marsan

A fun and sporty destination in the Landes

Want to cycle? Walk along the riverbanks or take part in a treasure hunt? Head to Mont-de-Marsan, a unique nature town where the art of living is the priority. Nicknamed the town of 3 rivers, it offers numerous activities and unmissable spots for a relaxing break. Ready to get away?

The Marsan Leisure Center

What a pleasure to dip your toes in the water as summer approaches! Located in Saint-Pierre-du-Mont, this leisure center of over 120 hectares nestled in the heart of a vast forest estate is a little corner of paradise for a day out with family or friends. With a swimming lake, playground, picnic area, and restaurant-bistro open all year round, you'll love being there.

Terra Aventura in Mont-de-Marsan

Combine the pleasure of a stroll with discovering the city's gems ! Armed with your phone and the Terra Aventura app, simply follow the guide along the chosen route. Clues, puzzles, treasures—it's up to you to find the Poï'z at the finish line, a small, characterful character who leads you to the heart of the local heritage in a friendly atmosphere.

The Contemporary Art Forest north of Mont-de-Marsan

Urban planning once again immerses itself in nature in the heart of the Landes forest and the Landes de Gascogne Natural Park. Spread across several municipalities, more than twenty works of art are scattered throughout the natural environment , giving your walk a very specific objective: to find them.

The Marsan and Armagnac Green Route

Saddle up! Mont-de-Marsan invites you to explore 50 km of railway line to Gabarret on marked trails designed to accommodate bicycles, rollerblades, strollers, scooters, and even horseback riders eager to discover the beauty of the landscapes.

Another greenway called Scandibérique links Villeneuve-de-Marsan to Mont-de-Marsan on an old railway line.

Photo credit ©Teddy Bear

Charming villages surrounding Mont-de-Marsan

The sweetness of life can be found all around the capital of the Landes in the heart of small villages as discreet as they are surprising. There are 18 of them, which can be visited at any time of year and perfectly complement the idyllic setting offered by Mont-de-Marsan in the southwest.

• Benquet “the musical” and its incredible May festival
• Bostens “the gem of the region” where you can observe a rich ecosystem
• Bougue “the pearl of the east” on the route of the Marsan and Armagnac Green Way
• Bretagne-de-Marsan “the cozy nest” with magnificent character houses
• “Heading West” campaign and its Romanesque church with its distinctive weather vane
• Campet-et-Lamolère “the sporty one” crossed by the Midouze
• Gaillères “the detox” with its 26-hectare forest and its 3-hectare pond
• Geloux “the forester” and its vast communal forest
• Laglorieuse, “the discreet,” the smallest commune in the Mont-de-Marsan conurbation
• Lucbardez-et-Bargues, the “avant-garde” with its patronal festivals and fireworks
• Mazerolles “the beautiful” with the church of Beaussiet and its devotional fountain
• Pouydesseaux “at the gates of Armagnac” where this delicious beverage is made
• Saint-Avit, the “quiet” place, ideal for playing golf
• Saint-Martin-d'Oney, the “authentic”, calm and green, towards the beaches
• Saint-Perdon “the wooded area” which has one of the most modern sawmills in the region
• Saint-Pierre-du-Mont “the dynamic” and its splendid leisure center
• Uchacq-et-Parentis “the little Landes girl” and the Chourdens educational farm

Plan to stay in Mont-de-Marsan for a while; the town is full of surprises and promises you an authentic stay.

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Photo credit ©Just a Pics