SURROUNDING AREA

CAPBRETON

Capbreton and the Sud Landes area around it is dominated by a landscape of ocean, lakes and the famous pine forests, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy a wide range of leisure, sport and recreational activities.

The Town – Capbreton has the characteristics of a typical French town of the Landes region with its old buildings, town square, church, shops and markets. What makes it so attractive to visitors is its unique combination of beaches, port, promenade, shops, restaurants, real French ambience and things to do – something for people of all ages and interests. Although it is a seaside resort with many activities for those who want them, it remains truly French and unspoiled and you can be on a quiet beach or in the pine forests in minutes.

town


The Port – There has been a port in Capbreton for many centuries. The large sheltered port now there is the only marina on the Landes coast and the largest along all of the Cote d’Argent, with almost 1,000 berths and provides a very attractive uniqueness for Capbreton.

Port

The Beaches – Capbreton is famous for its beaches. There are 7 kms of them of two kinds – the central beach with its promenade, bars and hotels on the sea front and the rest to the South, very private and unending with sand dunes and the pine forests merging with the vast Atlantic Ocean – nature unspoiled.

Panorama2

Surfing – Surfing is a big affair in Capbreton, Hossegor and the surrounding area due to the ideal waves and water conditions. The area is a regular venue on the international competition circuit and there are also numerous surf schools in the town.

Sites to See and Events – There are many things to see and do in and around Capbreton. These include the old church built in 1539, free visits to the Port, walk on L’Estacade built by Emperor Napoleon III – the 190 metre pier with lighthouse and symbol of Capbreton, see the house of King Henry IV (Maison du Rey), the marine ecomuseum and aquarium, walks along the ocean, the forests, the river Boudigau using walking paths, cycling on the cycle tracks, Hossegor lake, canal and the lake oysters. There is also a rich Landais folklore heritage to be discovered and interesting sites and places to be experienced including a range of festivals and fetes, watching or playing the Pelote Basque (a unique racket ball game) and the Course Landaise (bull fighting in Acquitaine where the cow does not die).

Sports and Leisure – There are many activities in and around Capbreton to choose from.

* Beaches * Golf – 5 mns Hossegor
* Surfing & Surf Lessons * Tennis – Club & Parcs des Sports
* Diving & Diving School * Football – Parcs des Sports
* Wind Surfing * Basketball – Parcs de Sports
* Sailing * Billiards/Snooker
* Sea Kayaking * Archery
* Canoe and Rafting * 10 Pin Bowling
* Boat Hiring * Boules/Petanque
* Sea Fishing * Handball & Pelote
* Fishing * Judo & Karate
* Horse Riding * Walking
* Go Karting * Cycling
* Quad Bikes * Beach Club/Swimming Lessons
* 4 x 4 Hire * Discos
* Skate Park * Casino
* Aquatic Parks * Aquarium

There are tennis courts, a hardcore football pitch, a basketball court and a court for Pelote at the Parcs des Sports. The ski stations in the Pyrenees are only 1 hour away for winter skiing. There are also many thermal spa/thalassotheraphy centres within an easy drive of Capbreton.

Restaurants – Capbreton is blessed with an abundance of good restaurants to suit all tastes along the seafront and Promenade and in the town itself. As you would expect in a fishing port, fish and seafood feature highly on the menus but not at the expense of other dishes. Prices are reasonable and very good value – some 3 course menus start around €12.

Shops – There is a wide range of traditional French shops in the town centre and along the promenade as well as specialist shops e.g. surfing. There is also a daily open air fish market and a Sunday market as well as markets in Hossegor during the holiday season.

The Climate – Capbreton has a mild climate all year round. Day time temperatures are normally in the 20s from April onwards, rising to a Summer average of a comfortable and enjoyable 26-30°C and remain in the 20s until into October. When it does get hot, you have the benefit of the refreshing breeze from the Atlantic. It remains very mild right into November and the early Spring months and even in December and January seldom falls below 10°C. This makes it a place to enjoy all year round – in all seasons.

http://www.meteofrance.com/FR/mer/selectPlage.jsp?LIEUID=RIV_GASCOGNE

SOUTH WEST FRANCE and SPAIN

There are many other attractions within easy striking distance of Capbreton, which are suitable for day-trips. Some of these include:

• Biarritz and St Jean de Luz – Only half an hour’s drive south are the sophisticated resorts of Biarritz and St Jean de Luz, the south west’s Côte d’Azur. Both have their own unique ambience and provide excellent beaches, restaurants and up-market shopping as well as a good introduction to the Spanish-influenced Pays Basque. You can also visit the regional capital, Bayonne, which is also the capital of the Basque region in France. Famous for its ham and its chocolates, Bayonne was under English rule for 300 years. It is much under-rated and worth a trip to see its magnificent cathedral and walk its ancient streets.

• Spa and thalassotherapy -In France, the south west is known for its rejuvenating waters, both salt and fresh varieties. Dax is the official spa capital of France and is only 35/40 minutes from Capbreton. The Côte Basque – Hendaye, St Jean de Luz and Biarritz – is the base for numerous thalassotherapy centres.

• Lakes – The freshwater lakes that are scattered throughout the forest provide a great alternative to the ocean and safe bathing for children. You will find something different at each lake, or étang as they are known locally. Attractive ones to visit include the lagoon, Lac d’Hossegor, Blanc and Soutsons/Port D’Albret. At Etang Léon you can canoe from the lake along the Courant d’Huchet right out to the ocean.

• Chalosse Country – To the south of Dax and Mont-de-Marsan you move into rural Gascony. This area is renowned for foie gras, floc de Gascogne (sherry) and a slow and relaxing pace of life. You will find beautiful food, sleepy towns (which do come to life on market days) and laid back countryside. Montfort-en-Chalosse, Mugron and St. Sever are good places to visit and stop off.

• Basque Country – Capbreton is ideally situated to explore the picturesque Pays Basque, with its undulating hills and quaint villages. If you want to experience typical Basque village life, visit Ainhoa, Sare, Espelette and Ascain.

 The Pyrénées – You can also be in the Pyrénées within an hour, where you can walk, hike or follow the Camino de Santiago (route of Saint James), the ancient road to the city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, North West Spain, which has been one of the major pilgrimage centres for over a thousand years. In Winter, you can go skiing. You can also Canoe and raft along the River Nive.

• Spain – It’s about 35 minutes to the Spanish border and only a short distance further to the impressive seaside city of San Sebastian, the Spanish Basque country’s equivalent of Biarritz. Another hour drive along the northern coast will take you to Bilbao, the capital of the Basque region in Spain, where you can also see the Guggenheim Museum.

For further information please use the links below. There is an excellent tourist office in Capbreton, with very friendly and helpful staff.

Tourism South West France www.touradour.com/TOWNS/capbreton/CAPBRETO.HTM

Office de Tourisme Capbreton http://www.capbreton-tourisme.com/spip.php?page=sommaire&lang=en

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