Other than the beach on site, there are several other local beaches within
a short drive that you may want to explore. These are all located on the coastline
and in high season have life guarded areas which is safest for
children. If you walk along the coastline a bit, however, you will find it
much less crowded and at times almost deserted which you may prefer. The water
in the sea is not really for swimming in as they are quite strong Atlantic
waves, but it is great for having fun, paddling, body boarding or even surfing.
Mimizan Plage (15/20 minutes drive)
Head towards Mimizan and turn right for Mimizan Plage. Here you will find a
good beach as well as a
good range of shops, restaurants and snack bars (see the “shopping”
section of this folder).
Lespecier (20 minutes drive)
This is a real gem of a beach! Just south of Mimizan Plage. Head towards Mimizan
and turn right at the traffic lights towards Mimizan Plage. Not too far along
this road you will see signposts off to the left for “Lespecier”.
Follow the signposts which will take you through a housed area and then out
along a straight road through the forest. The signposts will then take you right
to the car parking area amongst pine trees where there are also picnic benches
and a small childrens play area. It is then a short walk (5 minutes) over the
dune to the beach. There are no shops here, just a glorious beach – golden
sand stretching
for miles in each direction and the blue sea! There are some toilets at the
top of the dune and a life guarded area in high season, but I would suggest
taking a packed lunch (or some snacks), and plenty of bottled water and sun
tan lotion.
Contis
Plage (30/40 minutes drive)
This is further south still from “Lespecier”. We have yet to visit
here ourselves, but have heard that this is a good beach too. From Mimizan head
south on the D652 road through Bias to Tresse and turn right on the D41 to Contis
Plage.
Biscarrosse Plage (30/40 minutes drive)
Drive
up to Parentis-en-Born, and at the traffic lights, turn left to Biscarrosse.
From Biscarrosse town Biscarrosse Plage is well signposted. Here, as well as
a good beach, you will also find shops and restaurants (see the “shopping”
section of this folder).
LOCAL
BEACHES
for
children. If you walk along the coastline a bit, however, you will find it
much less crowded and at times almost deserted which you may prefer. The water
in the sea is not really for swimming in as they are quite strong Atlantic
waves, but it is great for having fun, paddling, body boarding or even surfing.
a
good range of shops, restaurants and snack bars (see the “shopping”
section of this folder).
stretching
for miles in each direction and the blue sea! There are some toilets at the
top of the dune and a life guarded area in high season, but I would suggest
taking a packed lunch (or some snacks), and plenty of bottled water and sun
tan lotion. 
Contis
Plage (30/40 minutes drive)
Drive
up to Parentis-en-Born, and at the traffic lights, turn left to Biscarrosse.
From Biscarrosse town Biscarrosse Plage is well signposted. Here, as well as
a good beach, you will also find shops and restaurants (see the “shopping”
section of this folder).