Local Guide :

Many visitors to l'Airial Landais go completely 'native', barely leaving the grounds except to go to the local bakery and otherwise unwinding with walks and cycling in the corner of forest close to the house or amusing themsleves swimming, playing badminton, reading and dozing!

Nevertheless, there is plenty for more restless visitors to do as well! L'Airial Landais is situated in the middle of the departement of the Landes, France's second largest and where, with a population of just 320,000, you can venture out and still avoid any crowds and so not lose the sense of peace and well-being that staying at L'Airial Landais so often brings. It is known for being the ideal region for lovers of all things outdoors.

The local village of Sabres is a small, sleepy affair with a small selection of shops providing the everyday essentials, including bread & croissants. Sabres is also the location for the Ecomusée des Grandes Landes, where traditional 19th landais farm-buidlings have been sympathetically reconstructed and brought to life by demonstrations of rural life back then. It is reached by a 6 minute train ride from Sabres and is worth making a day for, especially for those with children.

There are numerous villages worth visiting locally, including Luxey, Moustey, notable for being home to two churches built side-by-side, and Mezos. Not much further (about 45 km east) lies the bastide town of Labastide d'Armagnac, an amazingly atmospheric 13th century town well worth at least half a day's visit.

In the middle of the Landes, and providing the setting for the house, is the Parc Naturel des Landes de Gascogne, a vast area of natural landscape extending over 300 sq km. As well as containing numerous lakes perfect for sailing, boating, swimming, picnic-ing or just observing the wildlife, there are innumerable places for horse-riding, cycling and rambling along marked routes.

The Leyre river is also close by; known locally as the Petit Amazone, people of all ages and experience can take canoe and kayak rides from various spots along its shore and enjoy an unforgettably different perspective of the region.

The nearest lakes are at Mimizan-Bourg, the lac d'Aureilhan-Mimizan (approximately 40 km to the west), the location for Woolsack, a lodge built by a former Duke of Westminster and where Churchill was a frequent winter guest. There is a beach here watched by lifeguards that is particularly suitable for small children. There is another lake at Hostens (about 50 km north), an excellent spot for water sports, swimming, cycling, picnicing and wildlife trails.

Ocean lovers should head to Mimizan-Plage, 30-40 minutes drive away, and choose from one of the five beaches, especially le Courant which is recommended for families with young children and also has a picnic and games area as well as parking for bikes.

Other local traditions include courses landaises (landais bull-running, very acrobatic and gentler than its Spanish version, the animals are unharmed) - there is an arena in St Sever, about 50 km south.

For gastronomes, the Landes, with Gascony, is France's largest foie gras producing area; whether you prefer the goose or duck version there's plenty of choice around. The armagnac region isn't far away - the ecomusée de l'armagnac is just south of Labastide d'Armagnac, situated in the château Garreau.

For thrill-seekers, there are surf schools at Mimizan and Biscarrosse-Plage, quad-biking, paint-balling and go-karting at Mont-de-Marsan, mountain-biking at Commensacq plus adventure parks at Biscarrosse and Moliets.

This is just a taster. The owners know the region intimately and will provide suggestions for all ages and interests.

Tourist information for the Landes
Landes de Gascogne National Park information
Touradour - tourist information for south west France