What to do when camping in Messanges and Vieux-Boucau: activities and places not to be missed
On the south coast of the Landes, Camping de La Côte is located between Messanges and Vieux-Boucau, two of the most popular neighbouring seaside resorts on the Aquitaine coast, each with its own character and charm. Discover our guide to unforgettable holidays.
Discover Messanges on a campsite
Camping de La Côte welcomes you to Messanges, one of the prettiest seaside resorts in the Landes. Discover this unspoilt natural setting, where every day promises its share of sporting adventures and discoveries!
Nestling in the heart of the Landes forest, Messanges is a small village of around 1,000 inhabitants, bordered by the ocean and surrounded by nature: five kilometres of beaches, a pine forest covering most of the area, a pretty town centre, winner of the towns and villages in bloom competition. All served by miles of cycle paths and footpaths.
Just 1 km from the ocean, our 4-star campsite in Messanges offers you a privileged and friendly setting in which to discover the many facets of this lively, bustling village. Here, we've thought of everything so that there's something for everyone: spacious pitches for your tent, caravan or camper van, premium mobile home accommodation and gîte rental.
Visiting Messanges: the must-sees
- 5 km of beaches: behind the dunes, the North and South beaches offer a wild and unspoilt setting, where surfers and bathers live side by side. There are showers, parking and a snack bar on site.
- The surf spots: Central and South! These two beach-breaks offer long, hollow waves, accessible to surfers of all levels. If you want to learn to surf, we recommend the Messanges Surf School.
- The Messanges forest: with its 210 hectares, the pine forest covers three-quarters of the area. Numerous cycle paths and footpaths allow you to enjoy a ‘forest cure’. Guided walks are organised between June and September with a nature guide.
- Les étangs des Messanges: a 4km circuit runs along the stream linking the Etang de la Prade to the north and the Etang de Moïsan to the south. The site is classified Natura 2000 under the Habitats-Fauna-Flora directive. Swimming is prohibited.
- Vin des Sables: the sandy soil of Messanges offers rare conditions for growing vines. The Cave des vignerons de Tursan welcomes you to La Bergerie de Messanges to help you discover these particularly tasty ‘oceanic’ wines.
- The Messanges semaphore: of the 25 semaphore stations on the Atlantic coast, Messanges is the highest in France at 83 metres. Located behind the central beach, it is exceptionally open to visitors during the European Heritage Days.
- Summer events: the summer season is punctuated by numerous traditional events and festivals such as the Landes cow races, the Sardinades, night markets and the C'Rock Maïs Festival.
Discover Vieux-Boucau: places and activities not to be missed
Just a few minutes' cycle ride from the campsite, Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains is one of the smallest towns on the Aquitaine coast. With 1,600 inhabitants in winter and 25,000 in summer, this ‘village resort’ is appreciated for its beaches, its marine lake and its Mail promenade.
Nature, beaches and forests...
- Vieux-Boucau's beaches: La Grand'Plage (plage Centrale) and the north beach (plage des Sablères) will delight surf and wave lovers. The Lac Marin beach, sheltered from the swell, is better suited to families with young children.
- The Port d'Albret marine lake: located between Vieux-Boucau and Soustons, this 60-hectare lake offers an ideal setting for one or more water sports activities, such as paddleboats, pedalos or electric boats. You can also walk or cycle around the lake (5 km).
- The Promenade du Mail: this flower-filled promenade runs alongside the Moïsan canal and links the town centre to the marine lake. Driftwood sculptures, a variety of shops, boutiques, bars and restaurants liven up this not-to-be-missed stroll. An arts and crafts market is held here every Wednesday in summer.
- The forest: treat yourself to a forest bath! Two discovery trails, the Palombière trail and the Mare aux biches trail, invite you to explore the 110 hectares of forest between Vieux-Boucau and Messanges.
Visit, taste, stroll around Vieux-Boucau
The village of Vieux Boucau is organised around its pediment and its church. All year round, and even more so in summer, Vieux-Boucau cultivates its traditions with Landes races in the arena and its crafts at a lovely market.
- The Vieux-Boucau fronton: watch a demonstration of Basque pelota or practise with pala rackets on the largest fronton in the Landes: 12 m high, 14 m wide and 90 m long. In summer, there are also shows and concerts on offer.
- The Joseph Laudouat arenas: experience the excitement of the Landes races in the Vieux-Boucau arenas! Built in 1964, these Spanish-style arenas are distinguished by their circular shape, unlike Landes arenas, which are generally rectangular. Every spring and summer, thousands of spectators flock to this 3,000-seat amphitheatre.
- Vieux-Boucau market: a large traditional market awaits you on the Place de la Mairie, on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from late September to mid-June. Every Thursday during the school holidays.
