In this summer season, I have decided to take you to Lacanau Ocean, a seaside resort on the Girondine coast, located less than 50 km from Bordeaux. After having spent part of my youth there, I now enjoy discovering and enjoying the resort with my family.
When I was younger, Lacanau rhymed with surfing, friends, parties, barbecues, outings, beaches, aperitifs… Now that I’m a mother, it rhymes more with children, sand castles, bicycles, lake, games… Which means that I experience the resort over the years and enjoy its many assets as I grow up! It is for these reasons that I want to share these unmissable activities in Lacanau!
My 10 ideas of outings to spend good holidays in Lacanau
1 . Enjoying the Atlantic Ocean
The first thing to do, once the luggage is dropped off, and which is non-negotiable for me, is to go straight to the famous Atlantic Ocean! And as the weather will be beautiful, we will quickly install the base camp before running for a swim, between the blue flags of course!
2. Vous initier au stand up paddle
On the lake with Banana Surf School which proposes an atypical excursion which will lead you on the canal of the ponds to discover its history. A tasting break of local products is proposed during the walk.
3. The weekly market of Lacanau
An outing not to be missed under any circumstances, the market is huge and many stalls are open to you every Wednesday morning! I advise you to go there on the 9 o’clock shots in order to be able to stroll freely and discover the stalls before the massive arrival of tourists at the end of the morning! For the greedy ones, I recommend you to buy mini-cannelés, the speciality of Bordeaux, at Mr Cannelé & Mme Macaron. Their stand is generally located in the street behind the church, the one that goes up towards the ocean.
4. Bike around the lake
Cycling to Lacanau Lake, you will see how beautiful the bike path is. You pass from the dunes to the pine forest, to the sound of crickets, bathed by the smell of heather. At the end of the cycle path, you will cross a district of Moutchic with its typical houses before you embark on the last descent that will take you to the lake. In the last bend, you will see a window on the lake, like a painting, take the time to contemplate this view.
5. Good addresses for a shopping day
On the shopping side, I recommend three shops located on the Allées Ortal:
- La Maison Bleue, a chic and trendy decoration boutique located in one of the oldest houses in the resort. Although it is a boutique, the visit of the place is worth the detour and the inner courtyard will hold some surprises for you. Elodie and Béatrice will welcome you with pleasure and will advise you. There is something for all prices.
- Jewelry from elsewhere for the originality of the products. Agnès makes us travel with jewels coming from elsewhere and more beautiful the ones than the others.
- You didn’t take the time to buy magazines or books before leaving? A visit to the Maxi Livres shop is a must! You’ll find many new books and magazines at reduced prices.
6. Relaxation and treatments at the Vital Parc Spa
Moms, don’t hesitate to go and pamper yourself in the Vital Parc Spa. The list of treatments is extensive: massages, wraps, multi-jet baths, scrubs and facials. You can then take advantage of the relaxation area with heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, hammam, aromatherapy room, herbal tea…
7. The Vélodyssée de Lacanau bicycle path
As for the dads, they can enjoy the many sports facilities or get on their bikes and head out on the cycle paths. Some are easier than others, but I can only advise you to take the Velodyssey and ride down to the Porge. The landscapes are breathtaking and oscillate between dunes and forests.
8. Dinner with friends from Bordeaux who have come to visit you.
For an evening, I recommend the restaurant La Cabane, a well-known address for regulars, located away from the city centre, behind the dune on the North beach side. The setting is exceptional and the menu rather exotic since they offer crocodile, kangaroo, zebra… and the mojitos are divine.
9. Spend an aquatic day at the Aqualiday Complex
If the weather doesn’t allow you to enjoy the page, I’ll test the new Aqualiday complex at the Airotel Plage Nord campsite. Entrance is allowed to outsiders for a cost of 11€ /pers. The brand new structure is a real oasis of well being of 5000 m2 with wave lagoon, wild river, waterfalls, slide, river against the current, massage jets, paddling pool with games for children… You can spend most of the day in water at 28° and the services will delight the whole family. There are also picnic areas and outdoor bars for eating out.
10. A last lunch in front of the ocean
On the last day, before leaving, it is more than recommended to end your stay with a breakfast facing the Ocean. The children love it and the only occupation is to contemplate the ocean one last time, it still has something captivating …
BONUS : the good plans to amuse your children in Lacanau
The playgrounds are very well laid out!
The best known and the most popular is the one located in square Elie Souleyreau next to the Tourist Office. But there is another one, much less frequented, next to the petanque ground, towards the South beach.
Encouraging children to shout in the tunnels along the cycle path
You will see how liberating it is and how liberating they will give themselves to it!
Saying hello to The Sailor overlooking the bike path
It indicates your entry into the “village” of Lacanau océan… A few pedal strokes and the ocean offers itself to you! And if your children wish to know the history of this statue, which I do not doubt, I invite you to read the cartel on this subject located on the Elie Souleyreau square.
A session at the skate park by the beach
Did your kids bring their scooters and skates? No problem, they will be able to express themselves on the skate park located on the north beach next to the surf school. The modules are rather for beginners but for the little ones who want to go there with their skateboarder, it’s better to take them for a walk on the waterfront, there are small passages that go up and down and I can assure you that at the end of a round trip they will be tired.
If the weather is less favourable for going to the beach, let yourself be tempted by a ride on a little train, a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, one or rather Mickey rides, a trip to a Punch and Judy show or a circus show, a film session…
Surf courses for children
But to come to Lacanau is also to learn how to surf and it is better to start small. There are a good number of surf schools that offer surfing courses for children, it’s up to you to make your choice according to your budget. The most of these courses and also to initiate your children to the dangers of the ocean and in particular to the phenomenon well known by the locals and less by the tourists: the baïnes.
Your children are sensitive to the discovery of nature and have a passion for fauna and flora? A short visit to the Cousseau Pond Nature Reserve is a must. Either you opt for a “mini cousseau” guided tour (2h30), or you can freely take the interpretation trail that has been laid out and marked out.
I liked the station when I was young, I like it today as the mother of a young child but I know that it will also be suitable when he is older… And then, it is always possible to leave the station to go further north to Carcans-Maubuisson, Hourtin, the Médoc or to the south, to the exceptional Bassin d’Arcachon and the Cap Ferret peninsula!
Last tip for the road! Don’t hesitate to go to the Médoc Océan Tourist Office, they will advise you on your stay and won’t fail to share THEIR good tips.
Children holidays in l’île d’Oléron
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