Walk in the Peat bogs of the Estanque, in Mées

The Peatlands of Estanque, in the town of Mées, form an astonishing, instructive, fun and lively site, which can be discovered over the seasons. It is a place that the whole family will enjoy. Walkers will appreciate the natural and calm setting for relaxing walks. Children will learn about the specificities of this environment, its fauna and flora. Parents will be able to transmit the love of this beautiful region and awaken in the youngest a sensitivity to the preservation of nature.

Photos of the article © Guide des Landes

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Discover the Mées peat bog

The Peatlands of Mées are, above all, an unusual ecosystem. A peat bog is, in fact, the result of the degradation of plants in a humid environment. This biotope is, in fact, very rich and nourishing. The conditions are favorable for the development of vegetation. It attracts a multitude of insects, which themselves feed this chain of life, providing abundant food for other animals.

The fauna of wetlands is very specific. You will come across butterflies and dragonflies, birds and birds of prey, reptiles and amphibians, and forest species in the wooded areas. Regarding the flora, the moors are often populated by heather and ferns. The wet channels are populated with delicate marsh flowers and sundews, carnivorous plants. Maritime pines have been planted on the hills overlooking the bog. A curiosity awaits you at the entrance to the site, near the railway line. Storks have settled there and you will see their large nest.

Peat bogs are increasingly rare. Cities and farms are harmful to these fragile environments. Either they tend to dry out naturally, or they are drained to make them usable. This was the case in Mées. Fortunately, today dams have been installed to maintain the waters and restore the original ecosystem. In the heart of the Landes and very close to the city of Dax, the Peatlands of Mées therefore form an exceptional site. The area has thus been classified as “ Natura 2000 ” for its preservation, of course. But also for its layout, to allow you to discover it without damaging it.

Read our article on the city of Dax (fr), and organize a weekend in this city!

Walk in the Mées peat bogs in all seasons

The natural site has been equipped to facilitate your journey. A path winds through the moor for less than a kilometer. It is a quiet walk, without any difficulty. Part of this path is raised, thanks to a pontoon on stilts , allowing you to walk there quietly without risking damaging the vegetation. As the seasons go by, the Peatlands of Mées show you a new face...

Do you like natural sites? Consult our Natural Sites section on the Guide des Landes.

Spring is the season of choice for nature lovers. The bog is punctuated with shimmering colors. It is the marsh flowers that dot the verdant carpet of mosses. From the month of June, they attract splendid butterflies, in particular the very rare " Fadet des Laiches ", but also many other insects. This is the time when carnivorous plants, such as Drosera, feast... The site invites contemplation. Budding painters will see a plant painting and perhaps immortalize this natural work of art, of great beauty.

Read our article on the Courant d'Huchet, if you like natural spaces of great beauty!

During the summer, nature is at its peak. The heathers are adorned with purple flowers. The dragonflies take the cool above the ponds and channels. The purity of the water in the stream allows the Agrion de Mercure, a beautiful blue dragonfly, to feed and settle there, year after year. The fauna is the densest there. This is a good time to take binoculars and observe the birds, which come to enjoy this banquet.

The autumnal colors that adorn the Mées peat bogs are also worth a visit. Nature settles down but the heathers are still in bloom until the end of the year. The flora is withering and the fauna is becoming rarer. It is during this period that the plants decompose, feeding this endless cycle, which keeps the bog alive. The site becomes more conducive to meditation.

Finally, during winter, the cold sets in slowly, allowing nature to rest. It's time to enjoy the fresh air of this preserved environment and yet so close to Dax. Athletes will appreciate the short exercise, in the middle of nature, to get in shape. The walkers, will admire the nature in sleep, while airing...

On the way to the Etang Noir Nature Reserve, another magical place to observe the fauna and flora of the Landes.

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Practical information

To get there, you will need barely 13 minutes from Dax, by the D70 road. The site is not very well indicated but with a GPS, it is impossible to get lost. Parking is available at the entrance. Information panels explain the formation of the site, the characteristics of this environment, its fauna and flora.

It's an easy walk of less than a kilometer, mostly on a wooden pontoon. No sports equipment is therefore necessary. It is accessible to families with young children , with pushchairs and also to people with reduced mobility. However, bicycles are prohibited. If the walk is short in terms of distance, the observation of the environment and the fauna can, in turn, take time.

Become an ornithologist in the Landes! Here is our article which lists the best spots for birdwatching in the Landes.

To go a little further in the adventure, download the Terra Aventura application. The “ sesterces peat bog ” trail takes you on a real treasure hunt, where children will have to look for clues. It's a good way to make them appreciate the place in a new light. To find out more, consult the Terra Aventura website on Grand Dax (fr).

The site is open all year round and free. The town of Mées occasionally organizes accompanied nature outings there to reveal all the secrets of the site.

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We have reached the end of our walk in the Peatlands of the Estanque, in Mées and wish you great discoveries in this unusual site!

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