Situated 30 kilometers from the Bassin d’Arcachon, between lakes and ocean, Biscarrosse is a charming seaside resort in the Landes region that’s a must-see during your camping vacation. What to see and do in Biscarrosse? Follow us!
Biscarrosse-Plage, a beautiful stopover!
Just a few kilometers south of the Bassin d’Arcachon, Biscarrosse is an invitation to relax and get away from it all, a multi-faceted resort with three different atmospheres: Biscarrosse Plage, Biscarrosse Lac and Biscarrosse Ville.
On the beach and ocean side, Biscarrosse unveils vast stretches of sand surrounded by pine forests. The dunes of Biscarrosse are reminiscent of the Sahara desert, less impressive than Dune du Pyla, but still a splendid, unspoilt landscape.
Set against the Landes forest, Biscarrosse ‘s four ocean beaches form a five-kilometer long ribbon of blue and white, shared by bathers, surfcasters and surfers. In Biscarrosse, surf culture is omnipresent, earning the town a reputation as one of the trendiest seaside resorts on the Côte d’Argent. The central beach, in the resort center, is the most family-friendly. After a swim, enjoy Biscarrosse-Plage ‘s boutiques , bars, restaurants and ice-cream parlors. The seafront, very lively in summer, takes on the feel of a small California.
DID YOU KNOW? Biscarrosse is the largest commune in the Landes department. It covers an area of 20,000 hectares, twice the size of Paris!
What to do at Lac de Biscarrosse?
Bordered by pine trees and bathed in turquoise water that approaches 28 degrees in summer, the Lac de Biscarrosse et de Parentis attracts many holidaymakers. This little haven of peace and nature extends over 3,400 ha inland, sheltered from the swell. It is the second largest natural lake in France, after Lac d’Hourtin.
Among the many beaches worth a visit, Maguide beach is the most family-friendly. Here you can enjoy a wide range of water sports: sailing, paddleboarding, windsurfing, water skiing, pedal boats, towed buoys, parasailing… Dug from the Arcachon Basin to Mimizan in 1834, the Transaquitaine Canal links the lakes of Biscarrosse, Sanguinet and Parentis-en-Born. It enables boaters to navigate from one lake to another. For cycling holidaymakers, a cycle path runs alongside the lake to Sanguinet or Parentis. Finally, if golf is your passion, the Biscarrosse golf course offers 2 courses of 9 and 18 holes, hilly and surrounded by forest, facing the north lake.
The hydraviation museum
Biscarrosse and seaplanes: a long history! From 1930 to 1955, the Latécoère base saw the great aviators of l’Aéropostale take to the skies from the waters of the lake: Jean Mermoz, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Henri Guillaumet. Today, the Musée de l’hydraviation traces the history of the first transatlantic flights and the “air liners” that traveled from Biscarrosse to New York and Fort-de-France in the 1930s. For aviation enthusiasts, but not only!
History and heritage
Biscarrosse, the cradle of hydra-aviation in the early 20th century, also boasts a much older heritage. A number of monuments bear witness to local history, starting with the fortified church of Saint-Martin, built between the 13th and 15th centuries of garluche stone, the emblematic stone of the Landes region . Opposite the church stands a 700-year-old elm tree, under which justice was administered in the Middle Ages. And right next door, the Château de Montbron. Better known as the “Black Prince” castle, it housed the Prince of Wales’ garrison during the English occupation of Aquitaine. Privately owned, the château is not open to visitors, but you can still admire it from the outside. On the other hand, the Musée des Traditions de Biscarrosse opens its doors wide. Here, you can discover the life of the inhabitants of the Pays de Born in the 19th century. You’ll learn about the history of the Landes forest , gemmaging and resin extraction, and rural and craft activities. You can also take a boat trip through the Biscarrosse marshes!
photo©Lisbel – CC by-sa 3.0