History of the Landes Forest
The Landes forest covers a large part of two neighbouring departments, the Landes, from which it takes its name, and Gironde.
While today our eyes are used to the countless maritime pines standing here, it’s interesting to note that this forest massif was originally made up of vast, sparsely populated marshland.
In 1857, Napoleon III put an end to pastoral farming in this territory, requiring landowners and local authorities to plant pines in order to drain and improve the Landes soil.
The growth of the forest massif would later benefit the Médoc wine-growing region.
Indeed, the Landes forest shelters the vineyards from cold Atlantic winds, helping them flourish and enabling the production of a range of quality wines such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
But if there’s one other industry that has truly benefited from this iconic forest, it’s tourism.
The Landes forest is indeed one of the must-see destinations in the South-West of France.
It’s ideal for hiking as well as for walks by bike or on horseback.
It’s sometimes a “refuge” for those who don’t necessarily feel like going to the beach, especially when it’s crowded, and who would rather enjoy the calm around Lake Biscarrosse-Parentis or the Cazaux-Sanguinet lagoon, near our campsite in the Landes.
Who planted the Landes forest?
At the start of the 18th century, well before the Landes forest was planted, wealthy landowners initially hoped to make their fortune by growing rice, peanuts and tobacco leaf.
On this still-untouched, marshy land, they also planned to develop pastoral farming.
All of this ended in failure. In 1857, Napoleon III signed a decree requiring these same landowners to start planting pines.
This time, the aim was to drain and improve the land.
A calm, unspoilt natural space
The Landes forest, which stretches along the Atlantic coast, is made up mainly of maritime pines, although other species such as oak can also be found within the nature park.
The forest reveals different landscapes throughout the seasons: lakes, peat bogs, hills, pines…
It’s also known by different names, namely “forêt usagère” (common-use forest) and “forêt domaniale” (state forest).
The common-use forest is where local residents can gather wood, hunt, fish and carry out pastoral activities. This part of the forest was granted to their distant ancestors in the 13th century by the Prince of Wales, Edward.
The state forest (or production forest), meanwhile, is managed by the National Forestry Office. This part of the Landes massif is used to produce wood for the paper and sawmill industries.
The Landes: the largest forest in Europe
The Landes forest covers close to a million hectares. This vast scale is one of its main assets. The massif offers many opportunities for exploration, particularly through hiking, horse riding or cycling.
The fact that it straddles the Landes and Gironde departments is another significant advantage. This gives visitors a choice of several places to stay, such as the Landes seaside towns of Biscarrosse or Parentis, or Gironde tourist destinations such as Arcachon…
The surroundings are calm and conducive to relaxation, particularly around Lake Biscarrosse-Parentis or the Cazaux-Sanguinet lagoon.
The proximity of these bodies of water to the Landes forest makes them restful spots, while still being close to the ocean.
A walk through the Landes forest in Biscarrosse
The Landes forest is a delight for hikers and nature lovers alike, particularly around Biscarrosse or Parentis-en-Born.
Visitors also have the chance to discover and enjoy the lake that shares its name with these two peaceful South-West towns.
Many take the time to enjoy water activities or simply relax, before heading off to explore the wooded shores that characterise the area.
While hiking is popular at the heart of the Landes forest, it’s also possible to explore it on horseback or pony.
Many visitors also cycle through the forest landscape, making the most of the numerous cycle paths, including the famous Vélodyssée Landes trails running between ocean, dunes, lakes and forests.
The Vélodyssée is one of the must-do cycling routes, linking Biscarrosse Plage to Parentis-en-Born.
This roughly 33 km route lets you ride along the dune belt from the coast, then follow the shores of the Biscarrosse lakes.
For a romantic ride, the Chemin des Sabas is a particularly popular route, leading to the secluded Canton beach on Lake Sanguinet.
Gastes and Sainte-Eulalie are also worth mentioning, with beaches ideal for walks with friends or family.
And for lovers of scenic views, a stop at the Contis Lighthouse is a must: this elegant black-and-white tower, nestled between forest and ocean, offers an exceptional view over the Landes countryside.
