Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park
In New Aquitaine, straddling the Gironde and Landes départements, the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, created in 1970 in south-west France, is an unspoilt area of great diversity. Its pine forests, wetlands, moors and gallery forest in the heart of the valleys of the Leyre, a river classified as a Wild River, offer a unique variety of landscapes and a haven for flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of environmentally-friendly activities.
The Nature Park is working to preserve its heritage, particularly its Gascon cultural heritage. Through the Écomusée de Marquèze, a fully reconstructed and animated area reflecting 19th-century agro-pastoral life, it illustrates this conservation and transmission of local cultural heritage. The Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park embodies the symbiosis between preserved nature and a strong identity.
Year of establishment: 1970
Area: 3361 km²
Activities in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park
Attractions in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park
Highlights
"I love the outdoors! Good practices to adopt".
Taking part in outdoor activities is highly beneficial to your health and well-being, but it requires careful preparation and compliance with certain rules to avoid harm to yourself and the environment. To limit your impact, it's essential to be well-equipped, well-informed and to follow good practice.
Before setting off on a hike or practising any other outdoor sport, it is essential to choose a route that is suited to your level of fitness and to tell someone about it. It is also crucial to respect the environment by adopting a 'leave no trace ' approach: take your rubbish with you and minimise your impact on the flora and fauna.
In natural areas, it is imperative to follow the marked paths, respect other users and preserve the tranquillity of the area. What's more, when sharing experiences online, it's advisable not to give away too much about isolated places in order to preserve their integrity.
Whether navigating the Leyre or exploring other bodies of water, it is crucial to be informed about conditions, to be adequately equipped and to adapt to your skill level. By adopting these responsible practices, everyone can enjoy the benefits of nature while preserving it for future generations.
Exceptional biodiversity
The Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and vast natural areas. Created over 50 years ago, the Park encompasses a large part of the Landes de Gascogne forest massif, one of the largest in Europe, mainly composed of cultivated maritime pines, but also alders, willows, oaks and an endemic fern, the Osmanthus.It is mainly made up of cultivated maritime pines, but also alders, willows, oaks and an endemic fern, the royal fern, all of which bear witness to the unspoilt nature that is characteristic of the gallery forest that covers the river Leyre.
Wetlands, such as marshes and lagoons and dry or wet moorland, play a crucial role in the ecological balance of the Park. Left over from the last ice age, the lagoons remain rare natural habitats that are home to a diverse range of fauna (birds, amphibians, insects, bats, etc.). There are around a thousand of them in the forest massif, but with the recurring droughts and hot summers, they are tending to decline at an accelerating rate.
Actively committed to preserving biodiversity, the Park is implementing actions to conserve and restore natural habitats and to raise awareness. Visitors are invited to explore hiking trails, take part in educational activities and contribute to the preservation of these unique ecosystems. A wide range of nature events are on offer to the public throughout the year, to help them discover the Park in its natural state.
A unique setting for outdoor activities!
In the heart of the 'pignada' (the Gascon word for pine forest), the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park offers an exceptional setting for outdoor activities. Its vast expanses of unspoilt nature will delight adventure-seekers and nature-lovers alike. You can explore the hiking and cycling trails, venture into the forest, or discover the wetlands and their fascinating wildlife.
The area's rivers and lakes also offer excellent opportunities for fishing, canoeing and swimming. Nature lovers can admire a wide variety of birds, including the famous Grey Cranes on winter migration or the 320 species that can be seen in the Leyre delta at the Le Teich ornithological reserve.
From the pink of the callune (heather) to the orange hues of autumn, from the dark green of the maritime pine to the bright green of the ferns, a whole array of colours and scents awaits walkers. This paradise for lovers of outdoor activities offers a multitude of opportunities to connect with nature and enjoy its beauty while respecting its biodiversity.
Low-carbon holidays in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park
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