Road trip in Les Landes: a gourmet holiday by the ocean

Want to discover this French department known for the finesse of its gastronomy? Opt for an original trip: a road trip in the Unpublished Landes to enjoy and eat well!

Located in the southwest of the Hexagon, the department of Landes is taken. Indeed, its vast and wild coastline is breathtaking, and its land in the middle of nature is absolutely charming. In addition, the department is known for its strong cultural identity: fairies in red and white, surfing on impressive waves, cycling in the huge pine forests... In short, the Landes department is a must for a successful holiday.

Also, the Landes are renowned for their terroir with some iconic dishes such as the chicken of Saint-Sever and duck cuisine. Major internationally renowned chefs and chefs such as Alain Ducasse or Hélène Darroze are also natives! On the other hand, if you love good wine, you will also be served.

In this guide, we offer you a road trip in the inspiring Landes around greed and gastronomy, to do the full of good things.

North Littoral: introduction to the gastronomy

On our way to our greedy sword through the Landes! Our first step is Biscarosse: a charming little town surrounded by a lake. There, you can do nautical activities and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere that smells good holiday.

And since our road trip in the Landes takes place around culinary specialties, we invite you first to take a tour of the farm market in Biscarrosse. There you can discover all the good things produced locally. Animated, it offers a wide selection. So don't miss the booth La Closerie farm which offers delicious foie gras and equally divine duck-based products.

If you want to enjoy a more intense meal, test a local hostel or an institution like Chez Camette . On the map you will find iconic dishes from the region, including duck-based!

A little thirst? Turn around the famous microbrewery Kanaha Beer . Certainly, beer is not the local drink par excellence, but this brewery will allow you to taste delicious homemade “hublonneries”. In addition, to accompany your drink, test the mowers of organic pastry. Michelle and Simon .

And to eliminate all this: a kitesurfing session in Lake Biscarrosse! Safe sensations, but wait until you have digested well.

Then take the road towards Mimizan, located about 30 kilometers south. This is the ideal place to discover new local dishes. We recommend that you enjoy a moose salad with duck, smoked magret, foie gras, walnut kernels, corn, and salad leaves. Copious, isn’t it? You'll find delicious ones Chez Jean Paul , a friendly hotel-restaurant in Mimizan.

You will then have the strength to enjoy the city and its beaches. Take a walk Contis beach , for example, or that of Especier . Besides, you will find delicious oyster bars in the area! Near Mimizan, you can also discover the pond Aureilhan around which you can take your health walk on the Promenade Fleurie .

Finally, take the road to our final destination of this first stage of our road trip in the Landes: Moliets-et-Maa. It takes about 1 hour's drive from Mimizan. You can enjoy it to explore the Natural reserve of the Courant d’Huchet , and of course, enjoy the beaches. Remember to book a surf or kite session if the envy gets you.

Once the appetite is sufficiently open, we invite you to test some local institutions as The Cagette , which mixes the best of local cuisine with Asian influences. You will find similar flavors to the K-Bane . And if you want to enjoy yourself with a simple, refined and perfect cuisine for an experience at the edge of the Atlantic, then choose a table at the hotel-restaurant of the Ocean. The dishes, like white tuna or ceviche, are succulent!

South Littoral: good seafood

After having experienced the north of the Landes, we propose you to reach the south to discover three neighbouring villages: Seignosse, Capbreton, and Hossegor.

First, you will arrive at Seignosse to start this second stage of our road trip in the Landes. The beach of Seignosse is 6 kilometers away: it is the opportunity to be quiet and sunbath without feeling oppressed. In addition, the beaches of the city have the label Blue Flag for its commitment to sustainable tourism.

But what are we eating good at Seignosse? Sea products, of course! We recommend you test the Villa de l’Étang Blanc to eat what the region offers better: good seafood and fresh fish. The cook of this place in the rural setting, David Sulpice, offers to his guests the Landese terroir in the purest tradition. It’s not for nothing that the establishment got a Michelin star...

After a discovery of Seignosse, we recommend you take a tour of Capbreton. In fact, you can pick up the car for a bike, because the fishing village is only a few kilometers from Seignosse.

Spread in the alleys of the centre and then on the port, where you can of course taste fresh fish. We also have a new address for you: the Maison Goustut ! It offers "homemade" with local and especially seasonal products that all come without exception from local fishing in Capbreton. It puts water in the mouth, doesn’t it? Moreover, if you like the fishing village atmosphere, test the fish market.

To finish this stage in the Landes coastline, we recommend a visit by Hososgor, one of the surf capitals. If you have not yet tested this must-have to do during a road trip in the Landes, the time has come! You will find many surf schools to take classes and rent your board.

Surfing opens the appetite... This is the perfect time to taste oysters Chez Jérôme , near the Lac d’Hossegor. This local producer has been installed since 1997 and offers tastings of its 100% local and 100% fresh oysters. An address not to be missed under any pretext during a road trip in the Landes if you like this type of products.

Do not hesitate to discover the traditional halls to taste tapas and discover the Cellier Landais : delicious local cheese products! Accompany this with a good bottle of Tursan wine from the market cellar, and you will be filled.

We sink into the land...

From Hossegor, you will take the path Dax is about 35 minutes' drive away. And here we are in the Landes, less touristic, but equally charming. In the village of Dax, you can discover the famous arenas, and take a tour in the Sarrat Park.

But Dax is also known for its pastries! On the menu: very high quality chocolate and pastries to fall on the ground in the establishment A Chocolate Bath , a craft workshop very appreciated by the Dacquois.

Dax is also known for its madeleines. The shop The Madeleines of Dax exists since 1906! And since then, the family business has become an institution. It is now managed by the founder’s back grandson, Antonin Cazelle. You understood it: it is an unmistakable passage during a visit to Dax.

After this tasting of treats, go pre-lasser to Splendid Hotel offering a high quality SPA offer in an art deco establishment. This is an excellent address for a relaxing session!

From Dax, we invite you to cross the small villages of the surrounding area, in the Gascon terroir Chalosse . You can discover the villages of Montfort-en-Chalosse or Tartas , which is worth a look if you are looking for an authentic Landes experience.

It is also the opportunity for you to enjoy a meal of choice: the beef of Chalosse! This certification corresponds to a bovine meat from the Bos taurus that are raised very long, more than three years. The maturation of the meat can then last up to 30 days. The room is then cooked and grilled at the plancha. You will find it in all local taverns and restaurants.

If you are rather poultry, then go to the side of Saint-Sever to taste a delicious labellized poultry. From rustic and slow-growing strain (twice more than the classic poultry!), the poultry of Saint-Sever is raised in freedom and is appreciated for their firm flesh.

You can enjoy an incredible farm chicken in the vicinity of Saint-Sever , as in the Pavillon: a local restaurant very appreciated by its visitors. You can also book a table at L’Art des Mets for a moment of gastronomic pleasure. In fact, the chef cooks very well the asparagus of the Landes sands in the spring!

Finally, you can reach Mont-de-Marsan, the city with three rivers. Over there, we recommend the museum Despiau-Wlérick to discover works of art and sculpture. But above all: take the time to stroll along the banks of the shore and walk through the local markets like that of the place Saint-Roch .

When you get hungry again, you can try local addresses such as Divan , a traditional brewery bar where you can taste local products with good wine. For a 4-star meal, test the Villa Mirasol : an establishment located on the banks, with a charming decoration that recalls the Belle Époque.

In addition, in Bougue on the outskirts of Mont-de-Marsan, you will find an incredible address: the Auberge du Grand Megnos . Garbure landaise (traditional soup), wallet magret stuffed with cepes and foie gras, thigh of duck confite, mice of lamb confite for 7 hours... Here we honor the Landes! Ideal for a romantic mooring dinner or with friends.

At the edge of the Parc National des Landes de Gascogne

From Mont-de-Marsan you will take the road towards the Landes de Gascogne National Park. There, we promise you one thing: you will be at the heart of the Landese terroir! If you are looking for nature and good small dishes, then this stage of the road trip in the Landes is unmistakable.

We invite you to stop at Labastide-d’Armagnac, close to the border with the Gers. In this small town you can admire one of the most beautiful bastides in the South West. Because this iconic village has existed since 1291! It was created by Count Bernard VI of Armagnac and the King of England. By spending time in the commune, you will learn more about the history of this bastide...

After a historic visit and a discovery of the arcades, we await you at an exceptional table: Au Bastignac . This traditional restaurant serves homemade and tasty local dishes. They serve among the best foie gras in the surrounding area, and know how to recommend very good wine for delicate palate. Do not hesitate to test the bottle of Gascogne : a liqueur wine made with grapes and young armagnac after a 16th century recipe.

From Labastide-d’Armagnac, you can head to our final destination: the small village of Garein in the natural park of the Landes de Gascogne. This small village houses an absolutely awesome place: the Hostel Chez Suzon . The land, the real!

Take a place in this local institution and order a garbage: a soup with cabbage and a candy or duck. Most of this place? An unbeatable value for money with menus at 13 €. After the meal, enjoy it to discover this beautiful Landese village and the surroundings.

Moreover, close to the Parc National des Landes de Gascogne, you will find many local markets but also farms and vineyards that produce wines from Tursan. If cooking and good products are your passion, don’t hesitate to take a tour of the villages like Sabres or Luxey.