Lacanau

Lacanau, on the Atlantic coast of the Gironde department (33680), is a popular destination for surfing and outdoor activities. The main beach, Lacanau Ocean, is ideal for learning to surf or watching the sunset, particularly from the Sunset restaurant, well regarded for its atmosphere and sea views. Lake Lacanau, with its villages of Le Moutchic and Longarisse, offers a different setting altogether: pedal boats, canoeing and paddleboarding allow visitors to explore its calm waters, while the Splash Park provides fun water-based activities for families. Numerous cycle paths link the pine forest, the beach and the lake, making it easy to get around without a car. The nearby Hourtin-Carcans nature reserve, with its dunes and marshland, is well worth a visit for its unspoilt scenery, as is Lake Hourtin further north. The famous Dune du Pilat, a little further south towards Arcachon Bay, remains a classic day trip from Lacanau. For a sweet treat after a day at the beach, Gelato Familia serves popular ice creams in the town centre. Between ocean, forest and lake, Lacanau offers a variety of landscapes typical of the Aquitaine coastline.