Leon and Les Landes

Leon

Leon is a small, friendly, market town situated within the heart of the Landes region. With bakeries, bars, a good sized supermarket, a butchers, a regional wine shop, an incredible fishmongers ( which is worth a look even if you don’t fancy buying ) and the fresh food market in the square- you certainly won’t go hungry!  The town has a charming village feel.  However, with all the other useful local amenities like a pharmacy and cinema it’s a reassuringly self contained area perfect for a stress-free get away.
 

The Lac de Leon
 

The local lake has a small family friendly beach and an array of water sports activities available to hire such as pedalos, canoes and paddleboards.  Around the lake there is a wonderful nature reserve to explore and there are boat trips down the river, Courant d’huchet, which explore this exceptional protected waterway environment.  
 

Cycling 
 

The town is a stop-over route on the Velodyssee cycling route which runs from Cornwall in the UK to St Sebastian, just over the border in Spain! The area has great cycle routes, and networks, some of the most beautiful through the local pine forest – one of the largest in Europe. The cycle routes are flat, wide and great for children. There is a competitively priced bicycle hire in the town if required. 
 

Surf
 

The surf is a great draw for many people visiting the area and there a number of surf schools if you fancy a lesson. For the more experienced surfer, the beaches of Hossegor and Biarritz are just a short drive away.

For those who like the thrills and spills of a water park, Aqualand is an hour drive north in Archachon along with the famous Dune du Pilas. 
 

Beaches
 

An undeniable draw to this area of France is the 200 km of beautiful white, unspoilt sandy beaches. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in paradise!   Local spots like La Lette Blanche, Moliets, Messanges and St Girons and offer easy access, free parking and beach side restaurants which are a ideal for families and sports enthusiasts alike.  The local sunsets over the sea are legendary, insta-perfect and a great way to end a busy day out.  
 

Days out
 

For those of you that like to shop ‘til you drop or enjoy a cultural visit, the larger towns of Biarritz, Bayonne and Bordeaux are 1-2 hours drive away. St Sebastian in Spain is also only an hour away. The smaller seaside towns of St Jean de Luz or Vieux Boucou offer pretty escapes for long lunches and afternoon strolls.

 

For more detailed information on things to do in and around the region the local tourist office in the town centre is a brilliant resource for planning what you’d like to do during your visit. They speak multiple languages and are very helpful. If you are super-organised and like to plan ahead visit their website www.cotelandesnaturetourisme.com .