Are you torn between the Landes and the Basque Country? Do the sea spray of the Atlantic and the fresh air of the Pyrenees tickle your fancy? Do you love the sound of the waves, but also the silence of the forest? Don’t take your pick, put a cross on the map for Pays du Seignanx , a little corner of nature, culture and tradition that combines all the attractions of the Landes and Basque regions!
Set your vacation course for the south-western Landes region!
Nestled in the south of the Landes département, on the outskirts of Bayonne, Saint Martin de Seignanx is the administrative center of the Seignanx canton, linking the Landes and Basque regions. This is where our 4-star Lou P’tit Poun campsite is located, in the heart of a seven-hectare green setting, just 10 km from Bayonne and 15 km from Biarritz.
Vamos a la playa, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
One of the Pays de Seignanx‘s main assets is its coastline. This is where Europe’s largest dune belt begins. Between Ondres and Tarnos, the Landes coast rolls out a long ribbon of sand over more than 8 kilometers, sheltered behind the dune and the Landes forest. Whether it’s the small resort of Ondres or Tarnos, each offers its own share of seaside pleasures, including family swimming under the watchful eye of lifeguards, sand castles and strolls along the seafront lined with lively terraces, cafés, ice cream parlors and restaurants.
Lovers of active seaside vacations will find a playground to match their desires. Starting with surfers. The Seignanx spots appeal to those who enjoy a variety of board sports: surfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing and stand-up paddling. For beginners, the surf schools ofOndres and Tarnos are there to teach you how to stand on a board and tame the waves. The program includes surfing lessons, introductory or advanced courses and campfires on the beach!
Sporting and fun family adventures in the south of the Landes region
And since surfing isn’t the only sport in the Landes, you can also enjoy other outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and rafting at Bidarray, in the heart of the Basque country and canoeing on the Gave d’Oloron, on the borders of the Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques regions. You’ll also appreciate the trails through the villages of the Seignanx hinterland, and the Vélodyssée cycle path that runs all the way to Capbreton and the proximity of Bayonne and Biarritz, where other invigorating adventures await. You’ll also have the chance to try your hand at Basque pelota on the village pediments, espadrille or straw-bale throwing, tug-of-war and other Basque games of strength. Those who choose to spend a sporting vacation in the south of the Landes are never disappointed!
Seignanx has something for everyone
Leaving from Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx, just a stone’s throw from our camping du Sud des Landes a lovely hike takes you along the trails of Arremont, a small part of the Landes forest, and the Lesgau reserve, in the heart of the Barthes de l’Adour, immense marshy meadows with a particularly rich biodiversity. You’ll also want to take a stroll through the Marais d’Orx nature reserve. marais d’Orx the last protected wetland on the Aquitaine coast, now home to an abundance of flora and fauna. Perfect for getting a breath of fresh air and reconnecting with nature.
New discoveries for heritage lovers
Heritage lovers are not left out. The Seignanx region is rich in culture and history. You can visit the small village of Biaudos, with its Gothic church and gleaming houses built of Bidache stone. In Saint-André-de-Seignanx, you’ll discover the tower-porch of the fortified church (13th century) near which the Count of Orx, Napoleon III’s natural son, is buried. As you pass through the village of Saint-Barthélemy, you’ll notice the Basque-Landes architecture of the houses that give the village its charm. On the banks of the Adour, Saint-Laurent-de-Gosse pays tribute to Gustave Eiffel, builder of the Urt bridge, which links the Landes and Basque regions by spanning the Adour. On the road between Bayonne and Peyrehorade, the fortified Romanesque church of Biarrotte is also worth a visit. In short, in this little corner of the Landes and Basque Country, nature and culture go hand in hand!