Famous for the quality of its surf and a great place to learn how to hit the waves with surf schools for both adults and children.

Lacanau is a story of two resorts – Lacanau-Océan is a laid-back seaside town smack bang on the Atlantic ocean, with long beaches and rolling surf. The town of Lacanau is about 10km inland, on the shores of a large lake, and is known for its huge range of water sports and nature activities.

In recent years Lacanau-Océan has become a buzzy summer resort, with not just hotels but four spas, as well as golf courses and holiday villages opening up. It is here that you will find the cafes, restaurants and even night clubs. Head to the Lacanau Surf Club which is affiliated to the Federation Francaise de Surf, and is found right on the beach. The long expanse of sand also make it a fabulous spot to do land-yachting, a popular activity along the French Atlantic coast.

This stretch of coastline, from here down towards Arcachon, is stunning. It is not just long, stretching as far as the eye can see in either direction, but also with wide stretches of sand. Unlike parts of the Cote Sauvage further north where swimming is too dangerous, it is possible to swim here – the sections of beach by the resorts have lifeguards during the summer months of July and August. However, if you want to get away from it all, you don’t have to walk far to escape the crowds – but you do need to be careful if going into the water.

The Great Lakes of the Landes – series of lakes connected by lagoons and canals, great for a variety of sports.

Another great attraction of the area is the Great Lakes of the Landes. These are a series of lakes connected by lagoons and canals making them a centre for a huge variety of watersports, as well as calm ‘beaches’.

One of these is the eight-kilometre long Lacanau lake (Etang de Lacanau) which is fringed by early 20th century villas, built by Bordeaux folk who came to take in the invigorating air. Today the small town of Lacanau offers visitors swimming, sailing (there is a large sailing club affiliated to the Federation Francaise de Voile), wind-surfing, water-skiing, canoeing and kayaking – as well as golf, cycling, hiking and horse-riding.

Lac Carcans Hourtin

To the north of Lake Lacanau is Lac d’Hourtin-Carcans: France’s longest freshwater lake which at 19km long feels rather like an inland sea. At Hourtin, there is beach, and it is also a centre for small pleasure boats which have their own marina. On the southern shore is Maubisson, which also has a lovely sandy beach. Around the lake are a number of sports centres which offer boating and sailing as well as more land-bound activities such as tennis and archery. It is possible to canoe and kayak from this lake to the others, following the series of canals.

Building is only allowed on some of the lake’s shoreline, and as it is surrounded by a mix of flora – marshes to the north, moors and forest but also sand dunes – it’s a fantastic area for both walking and cycling – if you’re doing the latter, take the track from the lake to the ocean to find your own bit of secluded beach.

For some real peace and quiet head to Etang de Cousseau. A smallish lake between the two larger ones, and in a natural reserve within Lacanau forest, it is a resting place for migratory birds You can only reach it by following the footpath through the forest, or biking along the paved cycle path. Once there, it is magical. But do take the mosquito repellent!

Photo 1 by icpa_fr / CC BY 2.0 image cropped; Photo 2 by L’père / CC BY 2.0 image cropped; Photo 3 by marc.desbordes / CC BY 2.0 image cropped; Photo 4 by Louis Mateu / CC BY 2.0 image cropped