Biscarrosse is a popular holiday destination; On the one hand its beaches at Biscarrosse-Plage are renowned surfing areas and attract surfers from across Europe. But Biscarrosse also promotes itself heavily as a family holiday resort.

What to See and Do in Biscarrosse

Activities for Children

One reason for the family-friendly approach is that in addition to the ocean Biscarrosse is also right next to no fewer than three inland lakes. The best-known of these is the lac de Cazaux et Sanguinet (Cazaux and Sanguinet lake) which is one of the largest lakes along this stretch of the coast. In Biscarrosse itself it’s sometimes known as the ‘northern lake’ as it is to the north of the town. The proximity of these calm inland waters means youngsters can take part in a full range of water-sports without needing to risk the sometimes relentless waves that hit the unprotected coastline.

Biscarrosse has also gone to some trouble to lay on activities for children of all ages, from beach kids clubs to tree-climbing adventure parks, go-karting and skateboarding. Ask for details at the local tourist office at 55 Place G. Dufau in Biscarrosse Beach, Tel: +33 5 58 78 20 96.

Go on a Guided Rowing Boat Tour

You can explore the inland waterways in a boat that is rowed by a guide who takes you to all the best and most tranquil spots of this lovely area and give you a chance to see wildlife and plants and trees. Learn more.

Perhaps the most unusual activity on offer, though, is the one that allows fish to nibble your feet. At the ‘AquaZen Fish’ Wellness Centre at 82 impasse de Neuville you can dip your feet in a little pool and let the little fish give you a ‘fish pedicure’.

Where to eat in Biscarrosse

Unsurprisingly there are scores of restaurants to choose from in Biscarrosse, especially in peak season. One that gets good reviews for its ‘authentic’ Landais cuisine is Le Biscantou at 49 place des Chenes Verts.

Another popular restaurant is Chez Camette, a cosy and inexpensive eaterie at 532 Avenue Latécoère. But as ever there are lots of different choices and options.

Getting around in Biscarrosse

An important point to notice is that there are in fact three different ‘centres’ to this resort; the beach (‘plage’), the lake (‘lac’) and the town (‘ville’). Biscarrosse-Plage is 10km from Biscarrosse itself so you need to think about using some form of transport to get between the beach, town and the lake. If you don’t have a car you can cycle or use the regular services of the ‘Bisca Bus’.

History and Heritage

Stilts

‘Bisca’, as the resort likes to style itself, is also very proud of its past and its heritage at the centre of the ancient Gascony region of France which had its own Gascon language and own distinctive cultures and traditions. Something to watch out for are the local échasses landaises or Landaise stilts.

Stilts were worn by the ‘échassiers landais‘ literally ‘Landaise stilt-walkers’ who were mostly local shepherds. They wore these tall stilts to enable them to walk easily and quickly through the wet terrain to look after their flock; the stilts protected their feet both from the cold and the gorse bushes. Mid-19th century laws that obliged this flat sandy area to be forested sealed the fate of the shepherds and their flocks, and with them the stilts. However, stilt-walkers can be found at local fairs and folklore events.

Seaplane Base

Though Biscarrosse has all the usual facilities and activities that you’d expect from a seaside resort in south-west France – surfing, windsurfing, great beaches, diving, cycle routes, water parks, kitesurfing boat trips and so on – there are a few surprises as well. One is the fact that Biscarrosse has a history as a seaplane base, which was located on the Biscarrosse et de Parentis lake to the south of the town – sometimes called the ‘southern lake’. In the Second World war the Germans used it for their seaplanes. Though the base has long been closed there is still a museum devoted to seaplane history there.

Photo 1 and Photo 2 by Port Maguide Biscarrosse / CC BY 2.0 images cropped; Photo 4 by patrick janicek / CC BY 2.0 image cropped