Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains
Between ocean, lake and forest, 30 km from the EUROSOL campsite in the south of the Landes, Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains is the smallest commune on the Aquitaine coast. Small in size… but big in reputation, it’s also one of the most renowned seaside resorts on the Landes coast.
The marine lakeof Port d’Albret
Straddling the communes of Vieux-Boucau and Soustons, just a stone’s throw from the ocean, Lac de Port d’Albret is the only man-made marine lake in France, created in 1966 on the former bed of the Adour river. Sheltered from the waves and the hustle and bustle of the beach, the wooded Port Albret marine lake offers a haven of peace for holidaymakers and birds alike, which you can discover by boat, pedalo or canoe, just 20 minutes from our EUROSOL campsite ****.
Popular with families and sports enthusiasts alike, the Port d’Albret lake now offers a wide range of water sports activities, with sailing schools and sandy beaches: supervised swimming, catamaran, dinghies, stand-up paddle, windsurfing, canoeing…
You can also hire a rowing boat, miniature electric boat or pedalo to take you around the lake and dock on the small wooded island in the middle of the lake. For cycling enthusiasts, there’s a 4 km loop around the lake, starting from the arena parking lot.
DID YOU KNOW? Formerly Port d’Albret, Vieux-Boucau (“old mouth” in Gascon) could have been the first port on the Landes coast if the Adour river hadn’t been diverted in 1578 to give it its current estuary at Bayonne.
The beaches of Vieux-Boucau
If it’s the beach that brings you camping in Les Landes, head for Plage Centrale. Easily accessible from Vieux-Boucau town center, it’s a very pleasant beach with free parking and plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. People come here for family bathing, to revive their tan or to surf the best waves in the Landes region. A little way from the center of the resort, Plage des Sablères (the northern beach) is Vieux-Boucau’s wildest beach, where surfers and swimmers rub shoulders. And for those who prefer the ocean without the waves, head for the Lac Marin beach at Port d’Albret.
Gascon and Landes traditions in the spotlight!
With its many café terraces, ice-cream parlors, restaurants and boutiques, Vieux Boucau is a lively place that also thrives on its Landes culture and traditions. In summer, the fronton is the venue for Basque pelota matches, while the village arenas host traditional Landes races, bullfights, novilladas and stilt-walker shows. All to the rhythm of the bandas’ festive music.
Where to shop in Vieux Boucau?
Lively, friendly and gourmet, the markets of Vieux Boucau are well worth a visit! From mid-June to the end of September, an attractive market is held every day of the week (except Sunday) on the banks of the Moïsan canal. In July and August, a night market is held on Wednesday evenings on the shores of the marine lake (arts and crafts) and on Monday evenings in the Grande Plage parking lot.
On the bike paths of Vieux-Boucau
From the village of Vieux-Boucau, several cycle paths offer cycling enthusiasts kilometers of rides along the ocean beaches, through the Landes forest, to the marine lake of Port d’Albret or the lakes of Messanges and Soustons. Discover the Soustons / Azur / Messanges / Vieux-Boucau loop.