What to do in the Landes in winter?

Your next vacation is approaching and you're wondering what to do in the Landes in winter ? The Landes Guide has put together a program of winter activities for you: sports, gastronomic discoveries, cultural visits, and fun outings for the whole family.

This department is a nature destination that allows you to practice many outdoor sports. Winter is also the best season for beautiful walks in nature reserves and observing wild animals and especially migratory birds. Not far from the Pyrenees, you can easily get to the resorts, to enjoy the snow with your family and practice mountain sports. If you are more of a city person, you can also find all kinds of activities, whether you are a fan of culture, well-being, shopping, wine tourism... In the Landes, it is impossible to be bored, even in winter!

Opening photo: @ Loïc / Adobe Stock

Stroll along the beaches of the Landes coast

Gazing at the ocean in the distance, strolling across the moorland, contemplating the Landes forest and collecting shells... Walking along the water's edge in winter is such a relaxing and exotic activity for the mind. It also has so many benefits for our bodies! Breathing in the invigorating sea air, fighting against the sand to climb the dunes, running and having fun without the risk of injury and, for the bravest, dipping their feet in the water... It's so pleasant and it's fun for the whole family.

If you prefer a more dynamic and sporty atmosphere, head to the seaside resorts. They are dotted along the coast, allow you to practice surfing, even in winter, and offer you the spectacle of surfers training.

Birdwatching in nature reserves

The Landes region encompasses diverse landscapes that benefit many bird species. The dunes and Landes forest, the wetlands and marshy areas of river mouths and deltas allow them to find abundant food, nest, and provide them with living spaces protected and unspoiled by human activity. In addition, the Landes region is located on one of the most important migratory routes in Europe.

To protect birds and their habitat, there are many nature reserves. They also offer observation points and you can learn about ornithology from guides and associations.

Play golf in the Landes

Golf is a very complete sporting activity, which requires concentration and skill. These beautiful lawns, punctuated by groves and water features, form a magnificent setting for playing sport, while having fun. The Landes region is well-equipped with golf courses.

Enjoy a sports holiday in Capbreton

Capbreton is a vibrant coastal town all year round. Whatever your tastes, you're sure to find something to suit you among the sports on offer: surfing and other board sports, water sports, mountain biking, karting, horse riding, boat or plane rides, microlights, and more.

Practice a winter sport in the Pyrenean resorts, starting from Mont-de-Marsan

Do you want to enjoy the snow from the Landes? Several Pyrenean resorts are accessible from Mont-de-Marsan. You will find all kinds of winter activities and mountain sports there, apart from skiing: tobogganing, snowshoeing, Nordic walking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, horse riding... We have taken you on a tour of the closest ski areas to the Landes.

The Béarn resorts are about two hours away by car:

• La-Pierre-Saint-Martin is an alpine and Nordic ski resort.
• Gourette is a traditional resort, with numerous slopes for downhill skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, cross-country skiing and freestyle skiing. It also offers more unusual activities, such as dog sledding, snow grooming, a large winter zip line, Nordic baths and saunas, geocaching with Terra Aventura, or even spending the night in an igloo with Aventure Nordique.
• The Issarbe resort is the ideal place for snowshoeing, Nordic walking, cross-country skiing and sledding.
• The Artouste waterfall offers a unique activity for thrill-seekers: an ice waterfall to climb!

A little further on, here are the resorts of the Hautes-Pyrénées :

• At Col du Tourmalet, the Cauterets resort offers downhill and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• Right next door, the Barèges resort stands out with its thrilling activities: freeride descent of the Pic du Midi, snowmobile tour of the area, etc.
• The Saint-Lary Soulan resort is very family-friendly, with many areas reserved for children.
• Between Cauterets and Saint-Lary Soulan, the Hautacam Leisure Park offers descents on its Mountain Luge all year round.
• The Gavarnie-Cèdre resort 's main asset is its breathtaking view of the Cirque de Gavarnie.
• The Peyragudes resort offers new attractions: funslope, land games, a ski movie, Inca and Mayan baths at Balnea.

Cultivate yourself in museums

In winter, when it's too cold to go out and play sports or enjoy nature, museums are a good option. They tell you about the region's past, its traditions and its land, but also its present, through its culture, its modern art and its crafts.

Shopping in Hossegor

Thinking about yourself and treating yourself can also involve a good shopping session! To enjoy the dynamic and festive atmosphere of the seaside resorts, with a diversity of interesting shops and boutiques, we recommend Hossegor. This surfing capital has a very young, trendy spirit and its designers are at the cutting edge of fashion.

Taste Landes gastronomy

We finish with a treat with the famous Landes gastronomy. This is a good idea to discover the culinary culture of the Landes. It is an agricultural region that offers good local products.

Before you get cooking, we'll reveal the traditional recipes of Landes cuisine. And if you don't have the courage to spend hours in the kitchen, we'll give you some good restaurant addresses.

Relax in the thermal baths and wellness areas

The Landes region boasts springs with multiple healing properties. It is the leading thermal spa region in France. Its establishments attract not only many spa guests, but also visitors who want to relax in the baths, enjoy a massage, or enjoy a treatment in the thermal waters. Around Dax, you will find no fewer than ten centers, as well as in Eugénie-les-Bains. Whether you are taking a spa treatment or just for a day, winter is the ideal time to take care of yourself!

We hope we have inspired you to try new activities, see the region in a different way and learn more about Landes culture.

Did you like our article? Find more in our Experiences to Live section.

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