For your vacation or weekend getaway, head for the Landes and visit Capbreton. On the program: idleness and the good life.
Do you dream of good food, wide sandy beaches and long walks in the forest? Then head for the south-west of France. Visit Capbreton in the Landes department! Situated on the Atlantic coast in the heart of Gascony, south of the Gironde and north of the Basque Country, Capbreton is a charming little port. Whether you’re on vacation with the family, as a couple or with friends, whether you’re looking for a sporty break or just to relax… There’s a thousand and one things to do in Capbreton!
This seaside town in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, nestled in the heart of the Landes pine forest, offers a wide range of activities. Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, relaxing… But above all, surfing! There’s something for everyone. So come and visit Capbreton for a stay that’s all about sport, discovery, gastronomy and the good life.
1. The port and fish market
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mike_O
A stroll around the port is a must when visiting Capbreton. Firstly, because it’s the one and only port in the Landes region. And secondly, because for over four centuries, local fishermen have had a very special right: to sell their catch directly, without going through an auction. So, when they return from fishing in the early hours of the morning, each of the nineteen boats opens its stall directly on the port, opposite the Harbour Master’s Office.
If you’re a fish lover, don’t hesitate to take advantage of this joyful and authentic moment! You’ll find the freshest products at unbeatable prices. Snapper, hake, sea bream and soles are all on offer. The promise of true culinary delights. The fish market is a must-see in Capbreton!
2. L’Estacade
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Erwann Guyomarch
The Estacade is a must-see walk when visiting Capbreton. The Estacade is a 190-meter-long wooden pontoon built at the entrance to the harbor, with a lighthouse at its end. Originally, the Estacade was used to guide boats in and out of the harbor.
If you’re looking for a free activity to do in Capbreton, look no further. For while today it retains its original function, it is now also a place for strolling and meeting. Here, you can admire the ocean, watch the incessant ballet of boats and even watch the sun set over the horizon.
3. The gulf
The gouf is one of Capbreton’s great attractions. It’s an underwater canyon opening just a few hundred meters from the Estacade. With a width of 1,200 meters, a length of 300 kilometers and a depth of up to 3,000 meters, it’s not very impressive at first glance (since it’s underwater). But if you visit Capbreton on a windy or stormy day, you’ll be able to observe one of its effects.
While the surrounding ocean will be raging, a small area visible from the Estacade will remain quiet. This is the opening of the gulf, which has been a refuge for ships caught in the storm for hundreds of years.
It’s also the gouf that enables Capbreton’s fishermen to catch such a wide variety of fish species. Last but not least, the gouf also provides surfers with impressive waves all along the Aquitaine coastline. And if you’d like to find out more about this unique geological phenomenon, visit the Maison de l’Oralité et du Patrimoine. You’ll find a breathtaking 3D guided tour.
4. The House of Orality and Heritage
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Capbreton.fr
A true living memory of the town, the MOP is a must-see when visiting Capbreton. You’ll discover its different aspects throughout history, a playful staging, a variety of works… But also a 3D reconstruction of the gulf and recordings of local tales and legends.
The best part? These stories are told by Capbretonnais themselves! The MOP is also home to the « Pôle de l’Oralité », dedicated to storytelling and storytellers. Every summer, it hosts the Festival du Conte. A great activity to do in Capbreton with children.
5. The beaches
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Jochen Conrad
Spending time at the beach is definitely one of the top things to do in Capbreton. In fact, it’s impossible to spend time in the Landes without enjoying its gigantic stretches of fine sand. When you come to visit Capbreton, you’ll have a choice of eight beaches for a shot of the great outdoors:
- Notre-Dame
- L’Estacade
- La Centrale
- Le Prévent
- Le Santocha
- La Piste
- Les Océanides
- La Pointe: this is Capbreton’s only naturist beach. It’s also the only one without lifeguards.
For over 5 kilometers, you can sunbathe (nude or not), swim (nude or not) and even surf (nude or not!). But beware: the Landes coastline is notoriously dangerous. Make sure you swim in supervised areas to stay safe.
6. A boat trip
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mike_O
Once you’ve enjoyed the view from the beach, you can opt for another Capbreton must: a boat trip! In fact, with a boat rental in Capbreton, you can enjoy an afternoon of relaxation, whether you have a boating license or not!
Alone, with family or friends, you can indeed call on the services of a skipper who will take you to the most beautiful corners of the region.
7. Hiking trails
Photo credit: Facebook – Ville de Capbreton
If you’re wondering what to do in Capbreton apart from the beach, look no further. There are plenty of walks to choose from. From routes along the dunes to circuits in the forest or in the town center, don’t hesitate to visit Capbreton on foot. You’ll find walks of all lengths and difficulties, but generally accessible to the whole family. The dune trail, for example, is less than 3 kilometers long and allows you to discover this fragile ecosystem.
Finally, on hot days, take refuge in the shade of the pine trees of the Landes forest. Here again, you’ll find numerous signposts for hikes lasting from a few hours to a full day.
8. Ice cream at Xamp
Photo credit: Facebook – Xamp artisan glacier Capbreton
What would an oceanfront vacation be without the traditional end-of-day ice cream? A cake without a cherry, Starsky without Hutch, in short, nothing much to write home about. So when you visit Capbreton, be sure to do a comparative study of the town’s two most famous ice cream parlors: Izots and Xampi. Both are artisan ice-cream makers who make their ice creams and sorbets from fresh, high-quality ingredients.
From perfectly mastered classic flavors to original tastes (tomato and kiwi!), the choice is yours. If you don’t know what to do in Capbreton, then a tasting is a must!
9. A bike ride
Photo credit: Tourisme Landes
When you visit Capbreton, you’ll quickly realize that, as well as being a seaside resort, the town is at the heart of the Landes pine forest. Europe’s largest man-made forest, it offers numerous cycle paths. But above all, Capbreton is on the route of the Vélodyssée, the cycle route that runs from northern Norway to southern Portugal. All the way along, it skirts Europe’s Atlantic coast. On its French section, it links Brittany to the Basque country.
So if you’re looking for a cycling tour in Capbreton, you can take a day to explore the surrounding area. You can get to Bayonne, Léon, Vieux-Boucau les Bains, Hossegor and Soustons in just a few pedal turns.
10. Attend a landaise race
Photo credit: Flickr – Alexandre Dolique
If you’re looking for something typical of the Landes region to do in Capbreton, come and shake your head for the spacers and jumpers all year round (but especially in summer) in the town’s arenas. Landes racing is the Gascon sport par excellence.
A bullfighting tradition, it’s completely different from bullfighting in that it doesn’t involve killing the animal. So it’s a show for all, and an activity you can enjoy when visiting Capbreton as a family.
How do I get to Capbreton?
There are several ways to visit Capbreton.
- By car: First of all, by car. This is undoubtedly the most practical way of getting to Capbreton. Take the A 63 freeway and exit at junction 8. The town is also on the departmental road 810.
- By bus: The bus is undoubtedly the most economical way to visit Capbreton. However, you will probably have to pass through larger towns nearby, such as Bayonne, Hossegor or Dax.
- By plane: There is no airport at Capbreton. The nearest is in Biarritz, about 25 minutes away. From Paris, Lyon or Marseille, you’ll need to allow about an hour for the flight. To find the most convenient route for you, don’t hesitate to use a flight comparator like Skyscanner. Once there, you can rent a car to get to Capbreton.
- By train: If you prefer to visit Capbreton by train, you’ll need to bring your own car. There is no train station in the town. The nearest are Saint-Vincent de Tyrosse, Dax, Bayonne and Bénesse-Maremne. What’s more, you’ll probably have to complete your journey by bus.
Where to stay in Capbreton?
Depending on what you want to do in Capbreton, there are several options for accommodation. Depending on your budget and tastes you’ll choose a hotel, camping or an apartment on Airbnb.
Dunes, beaches, harbors, forests… there’s no shortage of places to stay! To make up your mind, don’t hesitate to use a hotel comparator.
Enjoy your stay in Capbreton!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Biarritz,fr