Museums and cultural visits in and around Biscarrosse
No beach or lake swim today: time for indoor visits that appeal to adults and children alike.
1. The Seaplane Museum, Biscarrosse
The rainy-day classic. Awarded the “Musée de France” label, the Seaplane Museum (Musée de l’Hydraviation) stands on the site of the former Latécoère base and tells the story of seaplanes, of which Biscarrosse was one of the capitals. Aircraft, models and accounts of the great transatlantic flights to New York and Fort-de-France: enough for a great morning out with the family.
2. The Museum of Traditions, Biscarrosse
Opened in 1988, the Museum of Traditions owes most of its collection to local families from Biscarrosse and nearby villages: furniture, tools, objects and period documents. Maps and models also show how the landscape of dunes and lakes has changed. A real step back in time, a few minutes from the campsite.
3. The Lake Museum, Sanguinet
The Cazaux-Sanguinet Lake Museum is the result of forty years of archaeological research in the lake. Also a “Musée de France”, it displays several hundred objects telling the story of life on its shores from the Neolithic to the present day: housing, crafts, farming, metalwork and navigation.
4. The Biscarrosse media library
For a quiet hour with the children, the town’s municipal media library is a good refuge: picture books, comics and children’s novels (mostly in French) to keep the little ones busy when the weather lets you down.
5. The Marquèze Ecomuseum, Sabres
About an hour’s drive away, in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, the Marquèze Ecomuseum brings the rural life of the Grande Lande back to life. Its collections (tools, furniture, textiles, vehicles) and its permanent exhibition explain how the landscape and local life changed over the centuries. An outing that easily fills a whole day.
6. Graine de Forêt, Garein
This discovery centre is dedicated to the Landes forest. Its exhibition space covers six themes: the forests of the world, of France and of the Landes, forestry and its trades, the processing of maritime pine, landscapes and biodiversity. It combines easily with nearby Marquèze.
7. The Oyster House, Gujan-Mestras
On the Arcachon Bay, the Oyster House (Maison de l’huître) traces the history of oyster farming through exhibitions and objects. A visit that naturally ends with a tasting in one of the nearby oyster ports.
8. Bordeaux and its museums
A rainy day is also a chance to head to Bordeaux: its museums, the Cité du Vin and its shopping streets easily fill a day, out of the rain.
Treat yourself when it rains in Biscarrosse
Rain is the perfect excuse to take your time at the table.
9. Taste local produce
Restaurants, craft breweries, covered markets: Biscarrosse and the area are full of places to discover the specialities of the Landes. A grey day is ideal for a long lunch.
10. Take a cooking class
Love cooking but never find the time? Some places in Biscarrosse offer classes where you learn to prepare traditional dishes of the region. You’ll leave with a recipe to make again at home.
Indoor activities in Biscarrosse
11. Swimming pools and water parks
In the Landes and neighbouring Gironde, several indoor pools let you swim out of the rain, in Biscarrosse, Arcachon or La Teste-de-Buch. The Spadium in Salles (Gironde) also has a relaxation area for adults.
12. Escape games, bowling, cinema and shopping
Biscarrosse has two escape game venues, perfect with family or friends, as well as a bowling alley and a cinema, Le Renoir, in the town centre. For shopping (clothes, decor, local produce), try the shops of Biscarrosse, Parentis-en-Born and Sanguinet, or head to Arcachon and Bordeaux.
So rain is no obstacle to enjoying your stay. And back at the campsite, our heated indoor pool is waiting for you, even when the sun isn’t.
