Landes is in south-western France, a department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine with a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Landes is famous for its seaside resorts and natural spots.

Map of Landes

• 43.890278-0.5005561 Mont-de-Marsan — sunny southwestern town, perfect for accessing the forest of Landes.
• 43.703056-0.2627782 Aire-sur-l'Adour — on the Way of St. James pilgrimage route
• 44.393056-1.1638893 Biscarrosse — a beach resort known for surfing
• 43.641944-1.4322224 Capbreton — a popular holiday destination for sailors, surfers, and beach-goers
• 43.706944-1.0513895 Dax — a spa destination, specialising in mud treatment for rheumatism and similar ailments
• 43.876944-1.3030566 Léon — popular for wind surfing and boating on the nearby lake
• 44.200833-1.2286117 Mimizan — surroundrd by pibe forests, and miles of sand beaches lashed by Atlantic storms
• 43.725556-1.0527788 Saint-Paul-lès-Dax — it's near a lake
• 43.756667-0.5741679 Saint-Sever — a privileged spa and holiday resort

Landes is known for its large pine forest which is the raw material for a timber and resin industries in the region. The forest was planted in the early nineteenth century to prevent erosion of the region's sandy soil by the sea.

• Bicycle riding: there are many kilometers of flat trails through the pine forests
• Sun-bathing, swimming: many beaches from crowded to isolated await you
• Camping: Landes is a favorite camping destination with more than 100 campgrounds from 1-star to 4-star available
• Surfing: Landes is home of some of the best surfing spots not only in Europe but the World. In September surfing Professionals meet in Hossegor for the Quik Pro France

Foie gras (goose or duck) was born in this department. The Landes is indeed the land of good food: Apéritif with floc de Gascogne (sweet wine with Armagnac), Landes salad (candied gizzards, corn, pine nuts, smoked duck breasts), candied duck legs or "Blonde d'Aquitaine" beef, Armagnac tourtière (apple puff pastries) and Armagnac pousse-café.

Be careful when you spend a night at the gas stations along the main freeway.