A French surf town on the Atlantic coast with 14 kilometers of sandy beaches. Popular among windsurfers in summer and cyclists exploring the nearby pine forests.
Lacanau, a coastal village in southwestern France, attracts surfers with its 14-kilometer beach and hosts events like the Lacanau Pro competition. You can surf Atlantic waves in the morning and paddleboard on Lake Lacanau by afternoon. Pine forests surround the area, with trails for cycling to nearby towns such as Carcans. The village sits 45 kilometers west of Bordeaux, providing easy access to MĂ©doc vineyards. Weekly markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays sell oysters, cheeses, and pottery in the town square.
Surfing on the Atlantic Coast
The 14-kilometer beach in Lacanau draws surfers of all levels due to reliable waves and surf schools offering hourly lessons. During the Lacanau Pro event, part of the World Surf League, professionals compete on the same breaks beginners learn to ride. Rental shops near the shore provide boards and wetsuits without requiring advance bookings. Families often choose the softer sands close to the waterline, but strong tides can create sudden currents farther out. If the ocean feels too intense, the lake’s calmer eastern shores have designated swimming zones.
Lake Lacanau: Swimming and Water Sports
Lake Lacanau, separated from the ocean by pine forests, allows windsurfing and sailing without Atlantic undertows. Shallow areas near the southern beaches let children splash safely, while deeper sections challenge experienced kayakers. Two beaches on the lake include restrooms, snack bars, and pedal boat rentals from 10 AM to 6 PM. Walking trails circle the entire lake, passing through sections where herons nest in reed beds. Cyclists can follow paths from the lake’s eastern edge into Médoc’s vineyards within 30 minutes.
Bike Trails Through Forests and Towns
Over 110 kilometers of bike paths connect Lacanau’s beaches to forests and towns like Carcans via flat, shaded routes. Rent a standard or electric bike from shops near the main beach and ride to the Étang de Cousseau reserve, where wooden platforms let you observe otters and kingfishers. The Port de Lacanau marina, 8 kilometers north, makes a good stop for ice cream beside rows of 1920s vacation homes. Tourist offices provide free maps highlighting trails with drinking water stations and picnic areas.
Wednesday Market and Local Shops
Every Wednesday morning, vendors set up stalls in Lacanau’s town center selling fresh mussels, duck confit, and linen clothing. On Saturdays, a smaller market under the covered hall focuses on bread, goat cheese, and honey from nearby farms. After shopping, walk along streets like Avenue de la Libération to see early 20th-century villas with wooden balconies and colorful gardens. Evenings in Lacanau Océan center around surf shops, crêpe stands, and bars serving local wines until 11 PM. Traffic restrictions in July and August keep the main pedestrian zone quiet after dark.
Activities for Families
Pino Chapito near Moutchic beach operates inflatable obstacle courses on the lake from June to September, suitable for kids aged 6 and up. Aqualiday Park, 3 kilometers inland, has heated indoor pools and three waterslides open year-round. The Lacanau Golf Course’s 18-hole layout winds through pine trees, with eco-friendly irrigation systems limiting water use. Land yachting sessions run on the beach when winds exceed 15 km/h, using three-wheeled carts that reach 40 km/h. Pack a lunch and hike the Cousseau Nature Reserve’s trails to spot wild boar tracks or deer grazing at dawn.
History: Draining Marshes and Planting Forests
In the 1800s, engineers drained Lacanau’s marshes to combat malaria, transforming the area from grazing land into a forested retreat. Napoleon III ordered the planting of maritime pines, which now cover 80% of the municipality. Bronze statues near the lake depict shepherds wearing traditional wooden clogs used in the pre-drainage era. The former Le Moutchic airbase, built by the U.S. Navy in 1917, today functions as a sailing school with vintage hangars still visible. Information panels along the Sentier des Dunes trail explain how workers stabilized sand with grasses to protect young trees.
Day Trips to Nearby Landmarks
Drive 50 minutes south to the Dune du Pyla, a 110-meter-tall sand dune where you can climb wooden stairs to view the Arcachon Bay oyster beds. Join a boat tour in Arcachon to taste oysters harvested that morning, or visit the 19th-century Ville d’Hiver mansions with mosaic-tiled facades. The Parc Naturel Régional des Landes de Gascogne, a 40-minute drive northeast, has boardwalks through peat bogs and a museum explaining traditional resin tapping. Bordeaux’s Place de la Bourse square and Saint-André Cathedral are reachable by bus in 55 minutes.
Transportation and Parking
Buses depart Bordeaux’s Quinconces station four times daily, stopping at Lacanau Océan’s central roundabout after a 75-minute ride. If driving from Bordeaux, take the D6 highway and aim to arrive before 10 AM in July to secure free parking near the beach. Free shuttles loop between parking lots and the town center every 20 minutes during peak season. Renting a bike simplifies trips between the lake and ocean, as most routes have separate lanes away from cars.
