For your holidays or a weekend, head to the Landes and go to Capbreton. On the programme: fierce and gentle living.
Are you dreaming of good money, large sandy beaches, long walks in the forest? Then head southwest of France. Go visit Capbreton in the Landes department! Located on the Atlantic coast in the heart of Gascony, south of the Gironde and north of the Basque Country, it is a very nice little port. For holidays with family, couple or friends, for a sporty or fierce stay... There's a thousand and one things to do in Capbreton!
Indeed, this seaside town of New Aquitaine nestled in the heart of the Landes pine forest will allow you to have many activities. Hiking or biking, fishing, swimming, rest... But also and above all, surfing! It's for all tastes. Then come visit Capbreton for a stay in sport, discovery, gastronomy and sweetness of living.
1. The port and the fish market
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mike_O
Coming around on the harbour is a little obligatory when you come to visit Capbreton. First of all, because it is the only and only port of the Landes. And then, because for more than four centuries, the fishermen here have a very special right: to sell the product of their live fishing, without passing through a shout. Thus, when they return from fishing in the early morning, each of the nineteen boats opens its stall directly on the harbour, in front of the Township.
If you are an amateur or fish lover, don’t hesitate to enjoy this joyful and authentic moment! You will be able to provide you with more than fresh products at unbeatable prices. Chipirons, merlus, dorades and other soles tend the fins. The promise of real culinary delights. The fish market is therefore truly a must to do in Capbreton!
2. L’Estacade
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Erwann Guyomarch
The Estacade is a walk that must be done at least once when you visit Capbreton. It is a wooden pontoon of nearly 190 meters long built at the entrance of the port and has a lighthouse at its end. Originally, the Estacade was used to guide the boats in their manoeuvres at the entrance and exit of the port.
If you are looking for a free activity in Capbreton, don’t hesitate. For if today it retains its primary function, it is also now a place of walk and appointment. Here you will admire the ocean, observe the incessant ballet of boats and even contemplate the sunset on the horizon.
3. The chick
The gouf is one of the great curiosities of Capbreton. It is an underwater canyon opening a few hundred meters from the Estacade. Large of 1200 meters, 300 kilometers long and descending up to 3000 meters deep, it is not impressive at first sight (since it is submarine). But you can still, by going to Capbreton a day of wind or storm, observe one of its effects.
While the ocean around will be unleashed, a small area visible from the Estacade will remain quiet. It is the opening of the gouf, which serves as a refuge for ships caught in the torment for hundreds of years.
It is also the gouf that allows the Capbreton fishermen to capture species of fish as varied. Finally, cherry on the cake, the gouf also allows surfers to enjoy impressive waves throughout the Aquitaine coastline. And if you want to know more about this unique geological phenomenon, go to the Maison de l’Oralité et du Patrimoine. You will find a guided 3D tour that is quite breathtaking.
4. La Maison de l’Oralité et du Patrimoine
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Capbreton.fr
A real living memory of the city, you have to visit the MOP when you come to visit Capbreton. You will discover its various aspects through history, a playful staging, various works... But also a 3D reconstruction of the gouf and recordings of local tales and legends.
The most? These stories are told by the Capbretonnais themselves! In addition, the MOP hosts the “Pôle de l’Oralité” dedicated to tales and storytellers. Every summer, it takes place at the Festival du Conte. A great activity to do in Capbreton with children.
5. The beaches
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Jochen Conrad
Moving from time to beach is really one of the major things to do in Capbreton. Indeed, impossible to spend time in the Landes without enjoying their gigantic stretches of fine sand. By visiting Capbreton, you will have the choice between its eight beaches to take a shoot of large spaces:
- Notre-Dame
- L’Estacade
- La Centrale
- The Prevent
- Le Santocha
- La Piste
- The Océanides
- La Pointe : this last is the only beach in Capbreton that is naturist. It is also the only one not to be monitored.
Thus, for more than 5 kilometers, you can, at your choice, sunbath (all naked or not), bathe (all naked or not) and even surf (all naked or not!). But be careful: the Landing Coast is considered dangerous. Make sure you bathe in the monitored area to stay safe.
6. A boat ride
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mike_O
Once you are delected from the view from the beach, you can choose another must in Capbreton: the boat ride! Indeed, with the boat rental in Capbreton , you offer the possibility of a relaxing afternoon, whether you have a boat permit or not!
Alone, with family or friends, you can actually use the services of a skipper who will take you to the most beautiful corners of the region.
7. Hiking trails
Photo credit: Facebook – City of Capbreton
If you wonder what to do in Capbreton outside the beach, don't look anymore. Many walks offer you. From the route along the dunes to the circuit in the forest or downtown, don’t hesitate to visit Capbreton on foot. You will find walks of all lengths and difficulties, but generally accessible to the whole family. For example, the dune trail is less than 3 kilometres away and will allow you to discover this fragile ecosystem.
Finally, the days of heavy heat, bend in the shade of the pines of the Landes Forest. Here again, you will find many signage for hikes of a few hours or a day.
8. An ice cream at Xamp
Photo credit: Facebook – Xamp artisan glacier Capbreton
What would be the oceanside holiday without the traditional ice of the day? A cherry cake, Starsky without Hutch, short, not much cabbage. Then go to Capbreton, do not miss a comparative study between the two most famous glaciers in the city: Izots and Xampi. Both are glacier craftsmen making their ice and sorbets from high quality fresh products.
Between classic perfumes perfectly mastered and original tastes (tomate-kiwi!), you to slice. If you don’t know what to do in Capbreton, then a tasting is needed!
9. A bike ride
Photo credit: Tourisme Landes
You will soon realize by visiting Capbreton that in addition to being a seaside town, the city is in the heart of the Landes pine forest. The largest artificial forest in Europe, it offers many bike paths. But above all, Capbreton is on the path of the Vélodyssée, this bike route from northern Norway and ends in southern Portugal. All along it runs along the European Atlantic coast. On its French part, it connects Brittany to the Basque Country.
So if you're looking for a cyclist hike in Capbreton, you can follow it on a day to explore the surrounding area. You can go to Bayonne, Léon, Vieux-Boucau les Bains, Hossegor, Soustons in a few pedal laps.
10. Attend a Landes race
Photo credit: Flickr – Alexandre Dolique
If you are looking for a typical activity of the Landes to be done in Capbreton, come shaking for the spreaders and jumpers throughout the year (but especially summer) in the arenas of the city. Because the Landes race is the gascon sport par excellence.
Tauromachic tradition, however, it is completely different from the corrida because it is practiced without the death of the animal. It is therefore a public show and an activity that can be done when you visit Capbreton with your family.
How do I get to Capbreton?
There are several methods to visit Capbreton.
- By car : First of all, the car. This is undoubtedly the most convenient means of transport to arrive in Capbreton. Take Highway A 63 and take Exit No.8. The city is also located on the departmental 810.
- By bus : The bus is probably the most economical solution to visit Capbreton. However, you may need to go through larger cities nearby such as Bayonne, Hossegor or Dax.
- By plane : There is no airport in Capbreton. The nearest one is in Biarritz, about 25 minutes' drive. From Paris, Lyon or Marseille, you'll have to count about an hour of flight. To find the most convenient route for you, don’t hesitate to use a flight comparison like for example Skyscanner. Once on site, to reach Capbreton, it is possible to rent a car.
- By train : If you prefer to visit Capbreton by train, it is better that you also have a car on site. Indeed, there is no station in the city. The closest are Saint Vincent de Tyrosse, Dax, Bayonne and Bénesse-Maremne. In addition, you will certainly have to finish your bus ride.
Where to stay in Capbreton?
Depending on what you want to do in Capbreton, there are several options to accommodate you. Depending on your budget and your tastes you will choose the hotel, the campsite or an apartment on Airbnb .
Dune, beach, port, forest... The spots aren't missing! To decide, do not hesitate to use a Compare hotels .
Good stay in Capbreton!
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