south

A 100% fresh air route in the Landes

In forest

Short trip (3 to 5 days)

I begin / Family

4 days of outdoor activities

Experience a concentrated cocktail of sensational thrills with this route in the heart of the pine forests! Just imagine: climbing to the top of a lighthouse + cycling through a forest + surfing the Atlantic waves + paddling up the Courant de Contis river = a 100% fresh air break in the Landes !

Stay for 4 days in an Accueil Vélo accredited Landes campsite, explore the surrounding pine forests and make the most of all the activities. The kids will be thrilled!

The highlight of this route: climbing the 187 steps of the Contis Lighthouse to admire the 360° panoramic view over the Ocean and the forest. Breathtaking!

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Day 1: Contis-Plage <> Mimizan-Plage (32 km round trip)

Welcome to the 3-star Yelloh Village Lous Seurrots camp site (Accueil Vélo accredited). Having settled into your overnight accommodation and left your car behind, you’re now ready for a short warm-up exercise before starting the main ride on La Vélodyssée: it’s a visit to the Contis Lighthouse. Located just a few hundred meters by bike away from the campsite, the lighthouse beckons you to climb its 187 steps and to enjoy the breath-taking view over the Ocean and the pine forests. Then head North towards Mimizan-Plage where you’ll arrive for lunch in a nearby restaurant or picnic area.

In the afternoon, the choice is yours : go to the Tourist Office where Katia will take you on a guided tour of a paper mill (get details beforehand at the Tourist Office) or go for a dip in the Ocean or maybe play on the Lespecier beach (on the way back to Contis).

Back at the Lous Seurrots camp site, it’s time for an ice cream and a well-deserved break by the side of the lovely water park swimming pools. The more energetic or older family members could go paddle-boarding down the Courant de Contis River with the Max Respect Surf School – a fun way to end an already sensation-packed day.

Day 2: Contis-Plage > Vielle-Saint-Girons (26,7 km)

Before leaving the Lous Seurrots camp site, pack a few clothes and your toothbrush (you’re not coming back to the camp site this evening) and get on your bikes on La Vélodyssée for a morning’s ride in the shade of the pine trees – this time heading southwards. You are at the heart of the Landes pine forests!

Stop for a picnic at the Vielle-St Girons beachwhere adults and kids alike will enjoy the afternoon – playing on the beach or learning to surf with a qualified instructor from the Surf School Max Respect. Pick up your bikes again and make for the 3-star L'Océane camp site (also Accueil Vélo accredited) where you will stay the night.

Day 3: Vielle-Saint-Girons <> Léon (18,4 km)

An early wake-up call to travel –by bus or by bike (but, take care, in Léon, you will sharing the road with cars), from the Le Col Vert camp site to the centre of Léon. Stroll around this traditional village and take advantage of the market (open every day in summer).

For lunch at midday, there are lots of options. Sample the famous local gastronomy in one of the village restaurants, or bring a picnic and cycle or take the shuttle bus (a 5 mn ride) to the Léon Lake. There you will be spoilt for choice for kids’ activities: a boat trip with the ‘Bateliers’ (boatmen) of the Courant d'Huchet (make sure you book a few days ahead), or a visit to the Maison de la Réserve, a landscaped nature trail walk. Listen to the silence and take a big deep breath of fresh air!

Remember if you’re not going back by bike: check the shuttle bus times so that you can get back to the L'Océane camp site!

Day 4: Vielle-Saint-Girons > Contis-Plage (26,7 km)

After a good night’s rest, you’re ready for another morning’s cycling back towards the North on La Vélodyssée and the Lous Seurrots camp site where you stayed on the 1st day. Don’t worry, the return journey through the forest will be different from the outward trip, and not at all monotonous. Remember, you’re in the depths of the forest and the light and sounds of nature change constantly from one day to the next.

Stroll around the streets of Contis, visit the village surf shops or go for a drink. The seaside resort of Contis-Plage is a real haven of peace. Make the most of it!

You’re back now! As we said, this trip is 100% fresh air in the Landes!