Animal Parks & Nature Reserves
La Pinede des Singes, Labenne
amble through the magnificent 6 hectare forest park and meet some of the 150 Java macaques enjoying their freedom. The park is also home to Vietnamese pot belly pigs, ponies, goats, and an aviary with Siberian cranes, flamingos and peacocks.
Opening times/dates:
15/04 to 30/09 : 10h to 12h and 14h to 18h (19h July & Aug)
Prices:
Adult : 6,50 €
Children : 3 €
Parc Animalier, Labenne
A little zoo set in 5 hectares of the Landes forest, home to 200 exotic animals and birds, including lemurs, kangaroos, llamas, parrots and aquatic birds.
Opening times/dates:
01/04 to 31/08 : 10h to 19h (last entry at 18.30h)
01/09 to 30/09 : 14h to 18h (last entry at 17.30h)
The rest of the year : from 14h on Wednesdays, weekends and school holidays
Closed from 15/11 to 1st Sunday in February
Prices:
Adult (12 years and over): 7,50 €
Children : 5,50 €
Reptilarium de Labenne, Labenne
Discover a different and fascinating place, home to more than 150 reptiles from across the 5 continents - including snakes, lizards, crocodiles, iguanas, anacondas and turtles. You will find the largest collection of crocodiles in Les Landes.
Opening times/dates:
Open throughout the year : 10h to 12h and 14h to 18h30
Prices:
Adult (12 years and over): 7€
Children: 6€
Marais D'Orx, Labenne
Explore this vast nature reserve which covers over 1500 hectares. This is the last major wetland reserve protected from the Aquitaine coast, and it is on the route for many Northern European migratory birds. It is home to many reptiles, insects and mammals, as well as birds, some of which are protected.
Opening times/dates:
The Reserve is open throughout the year. There is an information & exhibition lodge with parking and toilets:
01/10 - 30/03 - 9h to 12h and 14h to 17h
01/04 - 30/06 - 9h to 12h and 14h to 18h
01/07 - 30/09 - 10h to 13h and 14h to 19h
Prices:
The reserve is free - although you may have to pay for a guide
Etang Noir, Seignosse
This site was made a nature reserve in 1974, and is one of the last examples of how Les Landes was before Napoleon III oversaw the drying out of the region. Walk along the duckboards though the swamp forest and soak in the peace and quiet, and be transported back to another time.
Opening times/dates:
The Etang Noir is open throughout the year
Prices:
It is free to visit the Etang Noir. In July/Aug, there are guided visits during the week, 3 times a day, and these cost 2,50 € for anyone over 6.
Ecomusee de la Peche, Capbreton
Built in the port of Capbreton, this is the place to discover more about the importance of the sea to this area, not only for fishermen, but also sailors, divers and surfers. There is also a small aquarium, housing examples of the indigenous sea life.
Opening times/dates:
Jan - closed
Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec on Weds & weekends : 14h to 18h30
April, May, June, Sept, every day : 14h to 18h30
July & Aug, every day : 10h to 20h
Prices:Adults: 5,50 €
Children (3 to 16): 4 €
Students: 4,50 €
Musee de la Mer, Biarritz
This aquarium has just had a facelift, and can be found right on the front at Biarritz, with beautiful views over the bays. The 4 floors display a huge variety of information, including many fish, the history of fishing techniques, sharks and seals. You can time your visit with the seal's feeding times, at 10h30 and 17h, and meet their latest arrival - Urko, who was born in February. There is also a small shop and a cafe, and you can wander around with an audio guide for more information.
Opening times/dates:
All year : 9h30 to 12h30 and 14h to 18h
Feb, Christmas Holidays, weekends & May : 9h30 to 18h
Easter Holidays, June & Sept : 9h30 to 19h
July & Aug : 9h30 to midnight
Nov to March : closed on Mondays (outside school holidays)
Prices:Adult: 7,80 €
Children (4 to 16): 5 €
Students: 5 €
Audio Guide: 3 € (will need to leave a deposit)