Road trip in the Landes: gourmet vacations by the ocean

Would you like to discover this French department renowned for its fine cuisine? Opt for an original trip: an original road trip in the Landes to enjoy and eat well!

Located in the south-west of France, the Landes department is a popular destination. Indeed, its vast, wild coastline is breathtaking, and its wild lands are absolutely charming. What’s more, the department is known for its strong cultural identity: férias in red and white, surfing on impressive waves, cycling through immense pine forests… In short, the Landes department is a must for a successful vacation.

The Landes region is also renowned for its terroir, with iconic dishes such as Saint-Sever chicken and duck cuisine. In fact, internationally renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse and Hélène Darroze hail from the region! And if you’re a wine lover, you’re in for a treat.

In this guide, we propose an inspiring road trip in the Landes region, based around gourmet food and gastronomy, to fill up on good things.

North Shore: an introduction to Landes gastronomy

Photo credit: Shutterstock – Ludovic Farine

Let’s set off on our gourmet epic through the Landes! Our first stop is Biscarosse: a charming little town surrounded by a lake. Here, you can take part in water sports and enjoy a relaxed, vacation atmosphere.

And since our road trip in the Landes region is all about culinary specialities, we’d like to start by inviting you to visit the Biscarrosse farmers’ market. There, you can discover all the good things produced locally. The lively market offers a wide selection. Don’t miss the Closerie farm stand, offering delicious foies gras and equally divine duck products.

If you’re looking for a more extensive meal, try a local inn or institution like Chez Camette. On the menu, you’ll find dishes that are emblematic of the region, including duck!

Thirsty? Take a trip to the famous Kanaha Beer microbrewery. Admittedly, beer isn’t the local beverage par excellence, but this brewery will let you sample some delicious artisanal « hops ». And to accompany your beverage, try the Landes tourtières from organic patisserie Michelle et Simon.

And to wash it all down: a kitesurfing session on Lac de Biscarrosse! Thrills guaranteed, but wait until you’ve had a chance to digest them.

Then take the road to Mimizan, some 30km to the south. It’s the ideal place to discover new local delicacies. We recommend a Landaise salad made with duck gizzards, smoked duck breast, foie gras, walnut kernels, corn and salad leaves. Copious, isn’t it? You’ll find delicious ones at Chez Jean Paul, a friendly hotel-restaurant in Mimizan.

Then you’ll have the strength you need to enjoy the town and its beaches. Take a trip to Plage de Contis, for example, or Plage de l’Especier. You’ll also find some delicious oyster bars nearby! Close to Mimizan, you can also discover the Etang d’Aureilhan, around which you can take your health walk on the Promenade Fleurie.

Finally, get back on the road for our final destination on this first leg of our road trip in the Landes: Moliets-et-Maa. It’s about 1 hour’s drive from Mimizan. Here you can explore the Courant d’Huchet nature reserve and, of course, enjoy the beaches. Don’t forget to book a surfing or kiteboarding session if you feel like it.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, we invite you to try a few local institutions like La Cagette, which blends the best of local cuisine with Asian influences. You’ll find similar flavors to K-Bane. And if you want to treat yourself to simple, refined cuisine perfect for an Atlantic experience, then opt for a table at the Hotel-Restaurant de l’Océan. Dishes such as white tuna and ceviche are mouth-watering!

South coast: good seafood

Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mike_O

After experiencing the north of the Landes region, we invite you to head south to discover three neighboring villages: Seignosse, Capbreton and Hossegor.

First, you’ll arrive in Seignosse to start this second leg of our road trip in the Landes. The Seignosse beach is 6 kilometers long, giving you the opportunity to relax and sunbathe without feeling oppressed. The town’s beaches have also been awarded the Pavillon Bleu label for their commitment to sustainable tourism.

But what’s good to eat in Seignosse? Seafood, of course! We recommend you try the Villa de l’Étang Blanc for the very best the region has to offer: good seafood and fresh fish. The chef at this country-style restaurant, David Sulpice, offers his guests traditional Landes cuisine. It’s not for nothing that the restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star…

After discovering Seignosse, we recommend a trip to Capbreton. You can swap your car for a bike, as the fishing village is only a few kilometers from Seignosse.

Take a stroll through the narrow streets of the town center and then down to the harbor, where you can, of course, enjoy fresh fish. We have a new address for you: Maison Goustut! It offers « homemade » dishes using local and above all seasonal products, all of which, without exception, come from Capbreton’s local fisheries. Mouth-watering, isn’t it? By the way, if you like the fishing village atmosphere, try the fish market.

To round off this stopover on the Landes coast, we recommend a visit to Hossegor, one of the surfing capitals of France. If you haven’t yet tried out this must-do activity on a road trip in the Landes, now’s the time! You’ll find plenty of surf schools where you can take lessons and hire your own board.

Surfing, of course, whets the appetite… so it’s the perfect time to sample Chez Jérôme oysters, near Lac d’Hossegor. This local producer has been in business since 1997, offering tastings of his 100% local, 100% fresh oysters. An address not to be missed on any road trip in the Landes if you like this type of product.

Don’t hesitate to explore the traditional halles for tapas and discover the Cellier Landais: delicious local cheese products! Pair this with a bottle of Tursan wine from the market cellar, and you’ll be in for a treat.

We’re heading inland…

Photo credit: Shutterstock – Migeli Barrios

From Hossegor, take the 35-minute drive to Dax . And here we are, in the Landes countryside, less touristy, but just as charming. In the village of Dax, you can visit the famous arena, and take a stroll through the Parc du Sarrat.

But Dax is also famous for its pastries! On the menu: top-quality chocolate and pastries to die for at Un Bain au Chocolat, an artisanal workshop much appreciated by Dacquois.

Dax is also famous for its madeleines. In fact, Les Madeleines de Dax has been in business since 1906! Since then, the family business has become an institution. It is now run by the founder’s great-grandson, Antonin Cazelle. As you can see, it’s a must-see on any visit to Dax.

After this tasting of gourmet delights, relax at the Splendid Hotel, which offers a top-quality SPA in an art deco building. An excellent address for a relaxing session!

From Dax, we invite you to explore the small villages in the surrounding Gascon region of Chalosse. The villages of Montfort-en-Chalosse and Tartas are well worth a visit if you’re looking for an authentic Landes experience.

It’s also an opportunity to taste a delicacy of choice: Chalosse beef! This certification corresponds to beef from Bos taurus cattle, which are raised for a very long time – over three years. The meat is then matured for up to 30 days. The meat is then cooked and grilled a la plancha. You’ll find it in every local tavern and restaurant.

If you’re a poultry fanatic, then head to Saint-Sever for a delicious label poultry. Hardy and slow-growing (twice as slow as conventional poultry!), Saint-Sever poultry is free-range and prized for its firm flesh.

You can enjoy incredible free-range chicken in the Saint-Sever area, such as at Le Pavillon: a local restaurant much appreciated by its visitors. You can also book a table at L’Art des Mets for a moment of gastronomic pleasure. The chef does an excellent job of cooking Landes sand asparagus in spring!

Finally, you can reach Mont-de-Marsan, the city of three rivers. Here, we recommend the Musée Despiau-Wlérick to discover works of art and sculpture. But above all: take the time to stroll along the riverbanks and wander through the local markets, such as the one on Place Saint-Roch.

When you’re hungry again, you can try local addresses like Le Divan, a traditional brasserie bar where you can sample local produce with fine wine. For a 4-star meal, try Villa Mirasol: a riverside establishment with a charming décor reminiscent of the Belle Époque.

In Bougue, on the outskirts of Mont-de-Marsan, you’ll find an incredible address: theAuberge du Grand Megnos. Garbure landaise (traditional soup), magret en portefeuille stuffed with cèpes mushrooms and foie gras, confit duck leg, lamb mouse confit for 7 hours… Here, we honor the Landes terroir! Ideal for a romantic Landes dinner or a dinner with friends.

On the edge of the Landes de Gascogne National Park

Photo credit: Shutterstock – vouvraysan

From Mont-de-Marsan, you’ll take the road to the Landes de Gascogne National Park. We can promise you one thing: you’ll be in the heart of the Landes region! If you’re looking for nature and good food, then this stage of the Landes road trip is a must.

Our first stop is Labastide-d’Armagnac, close to the Gers border. Here you can admire one of the finest bastides in the South-West. This iconic village has been around since 1291! It was created by Count Bernard VI of Armagnac and the King of England. Spend some time in the village and you’ll learn even more about its history…

After a historical tour and a discovery of the arcades, we await you at an exceptional table: Au Bastignac. This traditional restaurant serves tasty home-cooked and local dishes. They serve some of the best foie gras in the area, and know how to recommend fine wine for delicate palates. Don’t hesitate to try the floc de Gascogne: a liqueur wine made from grapes and young armagnac according to a 16th-century recipe.

From Labastide-d’Armagnac, you can head for our final destination: the little village of Garein in the Landes de Gascogne nature park. This little village is home to an absolutely brilliant place: theAuberge Chez Suzon. The real thing!

Take a seat in this local institution and order a garbure: a cabbage soup with goose or duck confit. The best thing about this place? Unbeatable value for money, with menus priced at €13. After your meal, take the opportunity to explore this beautiful Landes village and the surrounding area.

In fact, close to the Landes de Gascogne National Park, you’ll find many local markets, as well as farms and vineyards producing Tursan wines. If food and good products are your passion, don’t hesitate to visit villages such as Sabres or Luxey.