REGION
Camping Aurilandes is located in an area of the Gascony Moors boasting a wealth of culture and natural beauty. From this base just 10 minutes from the pretty village of Mimizan and an hour and a half from Bordeaux, explore surroundings perfect for recharging your batteries and enjoy outdoor activities.
An area brimming with wonders is waiting to be discovered!
DISCOVER
MUST-DOS IN THE AREA
MIMIZAN LAKE
Aureilhan Lake extends across a number of administrative areas, including Mimizan, Aureilhan, Saint-Paul-en-Born and Sainte-Eulalie-en-Born. This large, tranquil lake, covering an area of 332 hectares, boasts an unspoilt natural environment.
Watersports lovers are bound to find something that floats their boat among the various options available on the crystalline waters of the lake, including canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, Hawaiian outrigger canoeing and pedalos. There is a lifeguarded swimming area on the Aureilhan bank, and the lake is also very popular with fishing enthusiasts looking to catch carp, pike, eel and zander. It’s a wonderful place for walking too.
OCEAN AND WHITE SAND BEACHES
Board sports enthusiasts will be in their element in this region, with waves perfect for surfing and bodyboarding making it an absolute paradise for water sports lovers. Local surf schools offer lessons for all ability levels, giving beginners a chance to get started with this iconic sport.
Mimizan Plage, just a 15-minute drive away, is a popular spot for relaxing as a family, with its lifeguarded swimming areas, kids’ clubs and promenade bustling with shops and restaurants.
A beach for everyone:
– La plage du Courant : the beach for kids! There are lots of businesses here offering the chance to try out various water sports. This beach is accessible for people with reduced mobility.
– La plage de la Garluche : central beach that can be accessed directly from the pedestrian street.
– Plage Nord and Sud for surfers and fishers.
– La plage de Lespecier : considered the wildest beach in Landes.
All of the beaches are easy to get to by bike.
THE BEST WALKS
PA number of trails around Mimizan offer the chance to explore the region’s diverse scenery: see lakes, the ocean or traditional villages, or lose yourself deep in the Landes forest. Keen walkers will certainly be kept happy (whatever their ability level)! There are over 40km of walking trails to explore in the surrounding area.
LA PROMENADE FLEURIE
(FLOWERY WALK)
Distance: 300m circuit –
Time: 45 minutes – Suitable for all
The Promenade Fleurie, located on the edge of Aureilhan/Mimizan Lake, is known for the lovingly maintained flower beds, colourful borders and landscaped elements that make it such a delightful trail to walk along. There are over 400 species of flowers and shrubs to admire. This place is also a favourite hangout of egrets, herons and ducks.
SECTION OF VOIE LITTORALE ST JACQUES DE COMPOSTELLE
Distance: 8km – Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: easy
This route follows former sections of the Voie Littorale (Coastal Way) pilgrimage route, also known as the Voie des Anglais (Way of the English). It starts in Le Verdon in Gironde, Aquitania, and converges with other routes to Santiago de Compostela via the Somport pass in the Pyrenees. Walkers can join this route in Mimizan, around 620 miles from Santiago de Compostela. At the end of this small section is Lespecier beach, where you get a magnificent view of the ocean and the forest. The route is available at the Mimizan tourist office, located in Mimizan Plage.
CIRCUIT DU LAC ET DE LA FORÊT (LAKE AND FOREST CIRCUIT) IN MIMIZAN
Distance : 8.71km – Time: 2 hours 40
Suitable for all
A varied circuit that lets you see both sides of Mimizan. There’s its historical side, with stops like the bell tower porch, the wash house, the stone markers known as the Bornes de Sauveté and the Château de Woolsack. And then there’s its geographical features, with the dunes, forest and plants highlighted, as well as Aureilhan/Mimizan Lake.
CIRCUIT DE LA MAILLOUÈYRE
IN MIMIZAN PLAGE
Distance : 12.03km – Time: 3 hours 30
Difficulty: Moderate
An enjoyable circular walk with lots to see along the way: the banks of the Courant de Mimizan river, the forest and the coastal dune, each with their own specific plants and wildlife, and finally, the beach and ocean.
TRADITIONAL VILLAGES
Explore the region’s traditional villages too, and immerse yourself in Landes culture. These charming villages, all located near Camping Aurilandes, are great options for day trips. You’ll have the chance to see traditional architecture, soak in the local atmosphere and admire the surrounding scenery.
AUREILHAN
3 minutes by car – 1,2km
This village near Mimizan, with its picturesque lake, is perfect for relaxing by the water and enjoying outdoor activities.
There are lots of walking trails around the lake offering beautiful scenery. The village comes alive with a village festival and farmers’ markets in the summer. ein été.
MIMIZAN
10km
Divided into Mimizan-Bourg and Mimizan-Plage, this seaside resort is known for its vast fine sand beaches and surf-worthy waves. We love its relaxed atmosphere and natural setting, with pine forests on one side and ocean on the other.
LIT-ET-MIXE
12km
This charming village surrounded by forest, with its picturesque church, also boasts beaches popular with surfers and unspoilt natural surroundings combining pine forests and coastline.
SAINTE EULALIE EN BORN
17 min – 13,8km
A charming little village, surrounded by pine forests with Biscarrosse Lake nearby – ideal for nature lovers and fans of outdoor activities.
MEZOS
14 km
A peaceful village in the Landes forest.
MOLIETS
35 km
Moliets is a seaside resort known for its fine sand beaches, impressive dunes and surrounding pine forest. It’s a favourite spot of surfers and golfers.
HOSSEGOR
55 km
Hossegor is famous for being one of the best surf spots in Europe, with its chic ambiance, stylish shops, seafood restaurants, fine sand beaches and renowned surf competitions.
LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK
The Landes region offers a dining experience that’s all about generosity and conviviality, showcasing local delicacies like duck in various forms including magret (duck breast), foie gras and gizzards, as well as a large variety of fish from local rivers and the ocean. Other must-try regional specialities include Chalosse beef, Armagnac, the aperitif Floc de Gascogne, Landes wines, Sables des Landes asparagus, Landes kiwi and a cake called Pastis Landais. The local markets are also excellent places to find and taste these culinary delights.
MARKET DAYS
Food and textile market
Mimizan Plage, between Mimizan tourist office and the arena
Every Thursday from 8am to 12pm, 15 June to 15 September (200 to 250 sellers)
Traditional market
Mimizan Bourg, behind the town hall
Fridays from 8am to 12pm (65 sellers in winter and 100 sellers in summer)
Covered market
Mimizan Plage
Tuesday to Sunday
Artisan market
Mimizan Plage
Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7pm from 1 July to 31 August
EASY TO GET AROUND
Getting to Mimizan beach from the campsite couldn’t be simpler:
BY BUS
Take line 513 from ‘Aureilhan – Route Des Lacs (D626 Rond-Point)’ to ‘Mimizan Plage Poker d’As’. The bus runs 4 times a day, 7 days a week. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes.
BY CAR
Allow around 10 minutes to get to Mimizan-Plage. The journey is 5.7 miles long.
BY BIKE
Allow 30 minutes to get to Mimizan-Plage from the campsite by bike. You’ll take a few different paths through the forest, all reserved either for cyclists or non-motorised transport in general.
FESTIVALS AND OTHER EVENTS
Local Saint Mummolus festival in Aureilhan on the first weekend of August: four days of festivities including a funfair, meals, parties by the lake, competitions, children’s games and fireworks.
Every Saturday evening during the summer season, al fresco dinners are held on the edge of Aureilhan Lake. During July and August, local charitable organisations take it in turns to organise these friendly dinners in magical settings, followed by lively evenings of music. Everyone’s guaranteed to have a good time!
—St Paul en Born (last weekend of May)
—Mézos (third Sunday in July)
—Mimizan (last weekend of August)
—Pontenx les Forges (first weekend of September)
—Bias (mid-July).
— Jazz in Sanguinet (Sanguinet) – late July
— Flamenco Festival (Mont de Marsan) – early July
— Festival des Abbayes (Dax) – late June
— Opéra des Landes (Soustons) – early July