In Mimizan, an autumn to do yourself good! Ajouter aux favoris

In autumn in the Landes, the ocean, lakes and forests change in character, colour and scent, but attract us just as much. Between the pine trees, on foot or by bike, you can recharge your batteries with every kilometre. Facing the ocean, you can catch your breath after a busy back-to-school period and, wherever you are, you can share these sweet moments with your family to create even more beautiful memories every season!

Walking along the Courant!

Now that the tide is out, it’s a good time to take the path up the Courant de Mimizan. You can also walk along the sandy side to get a few metres closer to the water, while egrets can be seen regularly on the horizon.egrets, which are very common in autumn and winter and can be recognised by their slender legs, white feathers and long, thin beaks. All around us, the atmosphere is calm, with the vegetation taking on its autumnal hues and ochre tints. A little further on, a bridge spans the Courant, linking the northern and southern parts of the seaside resort. Cross it and take a moment to enjoy the view over the river: at the end of the day, the sunset is right in front of you, setting the sky ablaze. You then head back up towards the ocean, following the path as it curves round. On the right is a new landscape, a rare and precious ecosystem: the salt meadow nestling in the heart of the meander. This area has formed under the influence of the tides, which partially lift the current. Sea rushes and asters sink their roots into the sand here, swaying to the rhythm of the ebb and flow of the water. A handful of metres further on and you can make out the ocean and its white-capped waves as soon as the wind blows a little. The walk ends with all your senses awakened by the scents of plants and the sea.

Did you know? In the Landes region, the small coastal rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean and whose downstream section follows the movement of the tides are known as Courant.

Become the king of the cabins at La Mailloueyre

There’s nothing like a breath of fresh air in the forest to keep both the sporty and the curious occupied. The Mailloueyre trail winds its way through pine forests, small ponds and sand dunes. The children trot along at a brisk pace, but their sharp minds and discerning eyes are quickly captured by the strange shapes of the twisted, crooked trees, so twisted that it’s hard to climb them. But no regrets, there’s another playground waiting for them. There are plenty of branches in the forest, so all they have to do is pick them up and they’ll be off to a great start – buildinga tree house! On a bed of pine needles, everyone made their contribution, and soon the shelter was taking shape, with stories being told and untold about this ephemeral hiding place. We continued the day in adventure mode at the Mimizan skatepark: helmet on, lace up your trainers and pull out your skateboard to try a few tricks on the City, the Plaza or (for the more experienced… or daredevils) the bowl, which is 3 metres deep. And to reward the perseverance of our budding builder-skaters, we’ll round off the day by the ocean: organic ice creams from Milan are waiting for us. Chocolate, pistachio, strawberry and many other flavours are sure to win over the hearts and taste buds of even the most indecisive. And you, are you more with or without extra whipped cream?

Good to know: the Mailloueyre trail crosses a biological reserve and a Natura 2000 site. One of the aims of these sites is to preserve the wetlands that are an important stopover for migratory birds.

An autumn snack overlooking the ocean

Under an autumn blue sky, the children have been having a great time in the sand on the north beach for the last hour: battle of the sandcastles, successive trips to the foot of the waves to dip a toe and fill a watering can, a game of football… But suddenly, they run out of energy: it’s time for a snack. To recharge your batteries, all you have to do is head for A Noste, an emblematic Mimizan establishment located on the dunes and easy to spot with its white façade and red woodwork. At A Noste, which means ‘home’ in Gascon dialect, we love to entertain, and we do it marvellously. A smiling welcome, a pretty table on the terrace or even your feet in the sand: you’ll feel at home straight away. The children have chosen their seats (without a fight 😉 and are clamouring for a snack: now it’s time for the tempting pastry menu. Team chocolate mousse or vanilla crème brûlée? For those with a sweet tooth, a trio of profiteroles is always a hit! The order arrives: everyone is lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves, warmed by a few rays of sun on their backs. It’s a pleasure to sit down at the table and enjoy the meal… but the desserts don’t stay on the plates for long!

Tip: A Noste is open all year round, 7 days a week and all day long, offering different menus throughout the day. Continental breakfast, tapas and pastries, restaurant or bar: you’ll have to come back to taste it all and admire the view of the ocean, different in the light of each moment.