What to do in Soustons during your holiday?

Accueil » Things to see and do in Soustons

Soustons, between forest and ocean

On the edge of the Atlantic Ocean on the southern coast of Landes, featuring five lakes and surrounded by Europe’s most extensive forest range, Soustons benefits from a choice location at the gateway to the Basque country, the Pyrenees and Spain. Thanks to this outstanding natural environment, the local produce and the deep-rooted traditions, Soustons has plenty to offer in terms of leisure activities and discoveries waiting to be made by both adults and children. Treasures galore, a pleasant climate and a warm welcome from the local residents all contribute to making Soustons the ideal holiday resort for families. What is there to do near the Airial campsite? Here are our suggestions!

Sports
galore!

In the great outdoors, between the ocean and the beach, the lakes, the rivers and the forest of pines reaching for the sky, Soustons offers nothing but the best: lifeguarded bathing at the ocean beach and the saltwater lake, a host of watersports (sailing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, rowing and paddleboarding), 70 km of forest hiking trails, a cycle path between Soustons and Port d’Albret, mountain-bike tracks, a 9-hole golf course, numerous fishing opportunitiesincluding night-time carp fishing in Soustons,surfcasting, etc. The beautiful rolling ocean waves make Port d’Albret a reputed surfing spot.

Organised activities
throughout the year

Soustons also has plenty for culture fans. The traditional Tulip Festival, which takes place in spring, attracts more than 10,000 spectators every year. It makes an original and very colourful start to the holiday season. The season then continues with the great Departmental Country Festival, and the opera festival (Opéra des Landes association) organised in Soustons each summer, which attracts hoards of music fans from all over the Aquitaine region. Located on the coastal section of the Way of St James, the Airial campsite in Soustons is also an ideal place for walkers to stop for a rest.

Authentic heritage
to be explored

Soustons showcases its history and outstanding environment. The Museum of Traditions and ancient tools, the church with its Romanesque porch, the beautiful half-timbered Landes-style houses, the old washhouses, the Viscount’s fountain and the François Mitterrand memorial are key attractions, as are the nearby nature parks and reserves.

Ferias, bandas and bodegas!

Soustons and the south Landes coast are regular hotspots when it comes to festivities. Indeed, the fun starts on 1st May, when pretty flower-festooned pines known as “mais” are planted here and there in honour of their recipients – anyone turning 18 during the year – – marking the start of the traditional Mayade festival. Next comes a succession of festivals held in turn in the different neighbourhoods of Soustons: Hardy, Sterling, Mora, Costemale, etc. But summer is when the traditional ferias of South-West France reach their height. The Soustons festival in August, for example, lasts five days and attracts festival fans from far and wide. Then follows a succession of Landes bull running, novilladas, stilt walking performances and Basque pelota tournaments that keep delighted visitors entertained. In the evening it’s time for “heste” when every bodega in the town comes to life with singing, dancing and clinking glasses until late into the night. For five whole days the daily routine gives way to outrageous celebrations. This is a highlight you don’t want to miss!

Famous for gastronomy

South West France, and Landes in particular, benefits from nature’s generosity which is reflected in the region’s famous culinary traditions. Soustons and the surrounding area boast a multitude of traditional restaurants and farms where you can sample to your heart’s content the famous local delights of Landes – foie gras, confits, garbure, tourtière – as well as some less expected products such as kiwis and peanuts.

Amenities galore

Town hall, post office, doctors, transport solutions, shops and a hypermarket: You’ll find all the amenities you need in Soustons, a lively town throughout the year. In addition, there’s always something going on in this very pleasant town, thanks to the dynamism of a hundred or so associations. Welcome to Soustons!

A page of history

Soustons stands on the former riverbed of the Adour, which was diverted towards Bayonne in the Middle Ages. Boucau means “mouth” in the local Landes dialect and this word is found in the name of Vieux-Boucau, the town that neighbours Soustons and where the mouth of the river used to be, and of Boucau, which faces Bayonne at the extreme southern end of Landes and where the river Adour now flows into the ocean.

The history of Soustons, however, remains closely linked to the resin tappers who used to harvest resin from the pine trees, and the cork harvesters who collected cork from the oaks. For 35 years, Soustons was also the holiday destination of François Mitterrand, who came to enjoy the restful calm of the Latché farmhouse. Just outside the tourist office stands a statue of the former President of the French Republic and his dog.

Cycle paths

Soustons / Soustons-Plage: 7 km including 4.6 km in the forest.

Soustons-Plage: Around the saltwater lake (4 km).

Other itineraries from Soustons:

  • along the cycle path to the north coast: Vieux Boucau, Messanges, Moliets, Léon (Soustons / Léon 20 km),
  • along the cycle path to the south coast: Seignosse, Hossegor, Capbreton, Labenne (Soustons / Labenne: just over 30 km).

Hiking itineraries

GR8 waymarked hiking trail, 20 km (around the saltwater lake).

Marensin loop itinerary: 10 km and 5 km waymarked routes (starting and finishing at the Airial campsite).

Exploring the region
along the Landes coast

Boasting an exceptional environment, the Landes is a true tourist paradise for those seeking nature and authenticity.

Exploring Landes
Exploring Soustons

Check out our latest news
and upcoming events!

Check out our latest news and upcoming events, to make sure you don’t miss out!

You may also be interested in…

The kids club

The campsite

Accommodation