Vacations in Vielle-Saint-Girons: the must-sees
A favorite destination for families, sports enthusiasts and nature lovers, Vielle-Saint-Girons is a small seaside resort nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, the Landes forest and the Etang de Léon. Where to go, what to see, what to do? We tell you everything you need to know to make the most of your camping vacation in Vielle-Saint-Girons !
Beaches, lakes and water sports
With 17 km of fine sand, Vielle-Saint-Girons is ideal for both swimming and water sports. In Saint-Girons itself, the central beach is the most accessible and popular with families. Less crowded and larger than its neighbor, the Lette Blanche beach is one of the wildest on the Landes coast. Be careful, however, as caution is always called for in rough seas. Arnaoutchot beach is well known to naturists looking for privacy. For those who prefer a calm sea, the Plage du Lac is a great place to swim for families with children. There’s a nautical base and a wide range of water sports: catamaran, dinghy, windsurfing, stand-up paddle, pedalo…
Hiking and cycling trails in Vielle-Saint-Girons
From Vielle-Saint-Girons, two signposted trails offer great opportunities to stretch your legs and enjoy the Landes forest. The Tucs circuit (9 km) and the Bareuyes circuit (11 km) will take hikers through sandy paths lined with maritime pines and wooded coastal dunes, with a visit to a resin hut and a gemmage demonstration. As for cycling enthusiasts, they’ll find what they’re looking for on the Vélodyssée, heading for the Cap de l’Homy beach to the north, or the Lette Blanche beach to the south.
The Saint Girons well, the water tower, La Sauveté
Your vacation in Vielle-Saint-Girons will also be an opportunity to discover the local heritage and sights. Starting with the Saint Girons well, the first filtering well in the Landes de Gascogne region. It was built in 1856 to supply the village with water using a technique invented by Henri Crouzet, a Ponts et Chaussées engineer. Fortuitously rediscovered during construction work, a glass pyramid now protects this treasure trove of ingenuity. Another curiosity unveiled at Vielle is the water tower decorated with nymphs and forest animals painted by local artist Anne Larose! At the end of the village, towards Linxe, it’s the “Sauveté” of Saint-Girons that catches the eye. This 5 m-high white stone column is one of the last remnants of the four boundary stones erected in the 11th century that once marked out a sacred area – known as a sauvetat – where it was forbidden to pursue fugitives in the Middle Ages.
The Huchet current
During your camping holiday at Saint Girons Plage, make a stopover at Lac de Léon, which borders the Courant d’Huchet nature reserve, nicknamed the Amazon of the Landes. From April to October, the boatmen of the courant d’Huchet offer trips in galupe (a traditional flat-bottomed boat) to help you discover this world-famous ecological paradise, a conservatory of rare and protected plant and animal species. Open your eyes and ears, and escape is guaranteed!