Messanges: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!

A golden yellow sandy beach and azure blue sea await you in Messanges on the French Atlantic coast. The holiday resort on the southern coast of the Landes region is known for its varied water sports offerings. Stand-up paddling, windsurfing, and kitesurfing are some of the popular activities in the water. Surfers also get their money's worth.

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Messanges - Must-see attractions

France Messanges Beach

Messanges Beach

Framed by forest, dunes, and the deep blue Atlantic, the kilometer-long Plage de Messanges is a paradise. After crossing the dunes with a few steps, you see golden yellow sand as far as the eye can see. Gently sloping, it is perfect for families. Sunbathing, relaxing, swimming, or nudism are all possible here. A local surf school allows you to discover this water sport all year round. The beach is monitored by lifeguards and there is a snack bar to take care of your physical well-being.

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France Courant d'Huchet Nature Reserve

Huchet Current Nature Reserve

The Réserve Naturelle du Courant d'Huchet is also known as the little Amazon of the French region Les Landes. On guided hikes from the Pont de Pichelèbe or on your own, you can discover a pristine natural landscape characterized by forests, swamps, and ponds. In the wooden pavilion Maison de la Réserve on the lakeshore of the mirror-smooth Lac de Léon, you gain interesting insights into the ecosystem of the nature reserve, which is home to grass snakes, otters, and muskrats. Bird watching and boat tours are also on the program.

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France Moliets Golf Course

Moliets Golf Course

Between Biarritz and Bordeaux, the Golf de Moliets invites exciting games in the French region of Les Landes in Aquitaine. Designed by the renowned British-American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., the facility spans 84 hectares and is full of challenges. The golf course, playable year-round, consists of a 9-hole course and an 18-hole course, including four links holes in a dune. Additionally, you will find three putting greens and two practice bunkers on the clubhouse driving range. The Moliets Golf Academy offers courses for children and adults.

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Sheep eco museum

Écomuseum of the Grande Lande

The Écomusée de la Grande Lande vividly and entertainingly shows how farmers and shepherds lived and worked in close connection with nature 150 years ago in southwestern France. In a 70-hectare heathland, you will discover an authentic museum village. Residential houses, stables, and a mill are open for viewing in the eco-museum also known as Écomusée de Marquèze. During a tour, you will learn exciting things about resin extraction and sheep farming. The journey to the museum in a historic slow train is an experience in itself.

Adventure park climbing for little boys

Adrenaline Park

You will find the Adrenaline Park in an idyllic forest area not far from Moliets. Here, the climbing landscapes are among the absolute highlights. Both young and old can balance on the ropes and even climb the trees. Additionally, there is a climbing wall in the amusement park. The amusement park is not only aimed at climbing enthusiasts. There is also a paintball hall. Quad rides are also organized. Other options include the mini-motorcycle tracks and the catapult. With it, you fly strapped in 17 meters into the air.

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France Léon Lake

See Léon

Away from the Atlantic coast, Lake Léon is an idyllic gem for relaxing and engaging in sports. Starting around April, many locals and vacationers come to Lake Léon to swim. Additionally, you can row or kayak on the water. The pond is also the source of the Huchet River, which takes you to the sea coast. The fishing areas along the shore are also very popular seasonally. Active vacationers enjoy using the shore bike paths and the Vélodyssée route to Contis Beach.

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Untouched nature around the Étang de Moïsan

In the west of Messanges, you will discover a natural paradise with the Étang de Moïsan, home to countless water birds. Around the body of water and its tributaries, nature can thrive freely, forming an enchanted thicket. The pond invites you to hike, but you can also fish here.

Nature idyll for hiking and enjoyment: Étang de la Prade

Northwest of Messanges lies the enchanting Étang de la Prade pond. You can explore its diverse surroundings with the region's typical forests on several hiking trails with viewpoints. Some sections are open to cyclists. At the pond, there is a fitness trail where you can improve your fitness in a splendid setting.

Walks through the Forêt de Messanges

The public and freely accessible communal forest of Messanges is subject to the French forestry system, which maintains the rich stock of maritime pines and cork oaks. You can enjoy the tranquility of the forest area with its regionally typical vegetation, which you can explore on foot on the numerous paths and trails. Several trails are suitable for horseback riding.

Discover handicrafts in the Quartier de Camentron

The Quartier de Camentron district is one of the insider tips in Messanges. It is located south of the town center and can be easily reached by bicycle on the "La Vélodyssée" bike path. Along the Chemin de Camentron, you can browse the small boutiques with pottery and handicrafts. Also, visit the local winemakers.

Day 1

In the far southwest of France, the charming coastal town of Messanges welcomes you for three varied days. The highlight of the community is the 5-kilometer-long dream beach on the Atlantic, which invites you to swim, sunbathe, and relax during the warm season. If you have planned your short trip for the months of May to September, spend your first day enjoying the sea and the fresh sea breeze. Cool off by swimming in the ocean, sunbathe on the beach, or try various water sports. The latter are recommended in the transitional seasons and even in winter. The constant winds make Messanges a true paradise for windsurfers and wave riders. On-site, you will find several surf schools offering courses for beginners, but also renting the necessary equipment to advanced and professional surfers. An alternative to surfing is the somewhat calmer stand-up paddling, where you can discover the coast from a new perspective.

Day 2

Use the second day for an unforgettable excursion. You have the choice between San Sebastian in Spain, nearby Biarritz, and the metropolis of Bordeaux. In Biarritz, the Hotel du Palais, Villa Belza, and Chateau de Francon are considered particularly worth seeing. In general, the chic small town invites you to stroll along the promenade, where the 73-meter-high lighthouse is the most striking landmark. In less than two hours, you can drive from Messanges to Bordeaux. The largest metropolis in southwestern France is definitely worth the trip. Start your city tour at the Cathedral of Saint-André, which, with its Gothic architecture, is one of the most impressive churches in France. Also worth seeing are the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux from the late 18th century, the Palais Rohan, and the Church of Sainte-Croix. The latter was built in the 12th century and extensively restored in the 19th century.

Day 3

The entire region around Messanges is world-famous for its many wineries. Some of them are also accessible to visitors. On your third day, drive to specific destinations like the Moulin Chevalier, which is easily reachable from Messanges even by bike. Guided tours through the wine-growing region, where you make many stops along the way to taste the fine wines on site, are also very popular. An alternative to the wineries is a trip to the nearby Parc Naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne between Messanges and Bordeaux. The nature reserve includes the largest forest area in Western Europe and is famous for its tall-growing pines. Follow the course of the Leyre on your day trips, visit the lakes near the Atlantic coast, and enjoy the fresh air. Both hikers and cyclists spend unforgettable hours here on the well-signposted routes.