Mimizan
- out and about
Beach
The seven (yes, seven!) Atlantic beaches offer great fun for all the family. From splashing in the waves on the supervised beaches, to bodyboarding, surfing or sea kayaking in some of the best waves in Europe.
Of these beaches, Plage Centrale is supervised the longest – from late May until mid September. Four of the other beaches are supervised between mid-late June and the end of August. All beaches have showers, phones and parking. There is also a supervised beach on the channel at Mimizan – the river running to the sea.
There is a Mimizan Surf Club in Mimizan and a kayak club for equipment hire and lessons. For surfing, the pole jetty and river mouth adjoining the beach at Mimizan can create sandbanks that help form excellent waves. We’ve always found excellent breaks here, and it tends to be less crowded than many of the other spots along the long Atlantic coast. There are several surf schools, including the Ecole de Surf at Plage de Lespecier (south of Mimizan) – tel: 06 82 10 53 57.
Inland on the lake at Aureilhan, there are also two supervised (in summer) beaches. When the surf is powerful on the ocean beaches, the lake is excellent alternative particularly for younger kids.
Activities
At Lac d'Aureilhan you will find a wealth of watersports on offer - including rowing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and, for the more daring, pedalo. At the lake, Mimizan Sailing Club (on the lake) is also open all year round. Quartier Woolsack , Tel: 05-58-09-17-74. .
There are several local horse-riding schools to choose between – offering lessons, beach riding, and gentle treks through the pine forests.
The network of safe cycle-tracks through the pine forests provide memorable, freshly scented cycling for all the family.
Bike hire is available from several locations, including Holiday Bikes, 12 av de Bordeaux, Tel: 05 58 09 09 81.
Golfers should head south to Moliets, or north to Biscarrosse, Gujan Mestras or Arcachon (the course at Mimizan is only 6 holes but ideal for holiday golf as it won't take all day). The seaside course at Moliets is in France’s top 10 courses. Particularly memorable are the four links holes adjacent to the shifting dunes.
Also available at Mimizan are clay pigeon shooting, parachuting, and scenic flights over the ocean, lakes & forests in a small plane from Mimizan aerodrome - we can't think of a better way to fully appreciate the Aquitaine scenery.
Tennis Club Mimizan welcomes visitors.
Almost all the Atlantic beaches are popular for sea fishing.
Children’s
Tourist Attractions
As with many French resorts, children are well catered for in Mimizan. There are several games areas, a skatepark and mini-golf, as well as all the watersports on offer.
Landes Adventure Parc offers great forest fun (climbing, zip slides and more) for kids aged five+. Don’t worry, you have to be attached to a safety line at all times!
The neighbouring village of St-Paul-en-Born is home to La Journée Grandeur Nature – where your children can enjoy close encounters of the animal kind, meeting cows, ducks, swans, deer, horses, goats, pigs and sheep. There is also a great children’s play area here.
For children keen to learn about nature, there are guided walks available around the lake, and throughout the area there are opportunities to discover the history of the dunes and coastal forests.
Shopping
Mimizan Bourg offers all the expected shops and services of a sizeable French village, and has a busy market on Fridays. Mimizan Plage has a weekly market in the summer season. Look out for the ‘Chocolate Factory’ too.
Eating
Out
If you are eating out, make sure you try the local specialities of foie gras, duck breast, preserved duck, with a dessert of apple or prune pie.
Here are some restaurants
you might like to try. They have been compiled from clients' comments and also using these travel guides: Lonely Planet Guide (South West France), The Green Guide (Atlantic Coast) and the Cadogan Guides to “Gascony and the Pyrenees”.
For a treat, Au Bon Coin de Lac, right on the lake, offers an attractive restaurant with lakeside terrace. Particularly recommended are the desserts prepared by the in-house pastry chef, and the extensive wine list.
34 Av du Lac, 05-58-09-01-55. |
Côte d’Argent is the best choice for eating by the beach – offering great views and inexpensive meals.
6 Av M-Martin, 05-58-09-15-22 |
L’Auberge de St-Paul is ideal for a family outing – a good Landaise meal in the heart of the pine forest, with nearby childrens' attractions.
Quartier Villenave, St-Paul-en-Born, 05-58-07-48-02 |
L’Emeraude des Bois is great for quiet evening drinks and al-fresco eating. Pleasantly decorated in a rustic theme, with an open-sided canopy terrace and a tree-shaded patio.
68 avenue du Courant, Mimizan Plage Sud, 05-58-09-05-28. |
La Goélette offers good food by the sea – Landais specialities and generous seafood dishes.
28 Av de la Côte d’Argent, 05-58-09-05-25 |
Hôtel du Centre serves Landais specialities and seafood in a pretty red, green and white dining room.
2 Rue de l’Abbaye, Mimizan-Bourg, 05-58-09-37-70 |
Nightlife
As well as the good choice of bars and restaurants, Mimizan has three (seasonal) night clubs and a Casino.
Arts
and Culture
The original settlement here, Segosa, was a port built in Gallo-Roman times. Segosa was buried by sand in the 6th Century. Rebuilt at the end of the 10th Century beside a Benedictine abbey, the town was buried again by the movement of sand in the 18th Century. The ruins were saved by a local man who used couch-grass and rushes to consolidate the moving dunes. The belfry and clock tower of the 13th Century Abbey have both survived, and make interesting places to visit. It is the oldest of its kind in the region of Aquitaine.
Across from the Abbey, the small Musée d’Histoire de Mimizan displays pieces on local geography, ancient and medieval history.
Historically, the people of Mimizan were granted the right of asylum – making them the fear of passing sailors with floundering ships. Whenever one was spotted, the clock tower would ring, and the town would descend on the cargo, plundering as much alcohol and cloth as they could carry. The four pillars marking the boundaries of this ‘sauveté (asylum) still stand.
Mimizan-Plage also contains a monument to commemorate the landing of Lefèvre, Assolant and Lotti after flying the North Atlantic in 1929.
The original marshy wasteland was later planted with commercial pinewoods, which are milled locally at what claims to be the largest producer of brown paper in the world. The paper mill factory on the outskirts of Mimizan Ville is a bit of an eyesore to be quite honest, but it's not located in the main tourist districts.
The Mimizan Festival of the Sea takes place at the start of May.
Nature
The combination of ocean, lakes and pine forest creates a maritime ecosystem with plenty to attract nature lovers and bird-watchers in particular.
North of Mimizan, a lovely lakeside walk can be had along the green banks of the Etang d’Aureilhan, which are planted with exotic trees, flowers and shrubs. The Duke of Westminster built himself a manor here, hosting the likes of Churchill, Coco Chanel and the King of Sweden. The remains of this Tudor-styled manor can be seen along the D87.
Excursions
1) Aquitaine's Great Lakes
There are plenty of lakes beyond Mimizan. To the north, the vast lake of Biscarross-Parentis is lovely for swimming (Gastes is the place to stop).
2) Explore Local Villages
South of Mimizan is probably the quietest stretch of France’s Atlantic coast. Small villages like Bias and St-Julien-en-Born offer road access to the beaches. Look out for the lighthouse in Contis Plage. Book ahead (05-58-42-85-15) if you want to climb the 192 steps for the great view. Inland from St-Julien-en-Born, Mezos is a pretty village with a 14th Century church, built from stone by the Knights of Malta.
3) Bay of Arcachon
Arcachon
is a popular and stylish French favourite provides plenty of options for visitors. Ferries run from Arcachon to a host of destinations including Cap Ferret, a smart resort on the other side of the Bassin d’Arcachon, and to the beautiful Banc d’Arguin, a sand-bank nature reserve.
The Banc d’Arguin sits at the foot of the famous Dune du Pilat which at over 100 metres is the largest sand dune in Europe. A journey to the summit (try it without the staircase provided!) is a must; sunrise and sunset are the best times.
Back into Arcachon, stroll along the seafront or through the delightful Ville d’Hiver (Winter Town) and explore its fabulous collection of eclectic villas. There is also a lovely park to cool off in the shade and watch the locals play petanques. The Bassin d’Arcachon is packed full of oyster farms and you will have no difficulty finding a supply of these slimy crustaceans to dine on in one of the town’s many seafood restaurants.
4) Glitz & Glamour on la Cote Basque
An day-trip south to the sophisticated resorts of Biarritz and St Jean de Luz, the south Atlantic’s riposte to the Côte d’Azur. Both provide excellent beaches, cuisine and up-market shopping as well as a good introduction to the Spanish-influenced Pays Basque. If you have time, drop into the regional capital, Bayonne. Famed for its ham and its chocolates, Bayonne was under English rule for 300 years. It is much under-rated and worth a trip to see its cathedral and walk its ancient streets.
5) Bordeaux
Vineyards
If you’re feeling ‘beached out’ why not take the opportunity to explore some of the region’s vineyards? The famous Graves and Sauternes vineyards are within 2 hour’s drive north east in the direction of Bordeaux and Langon. An altogether different wine experience can be had at Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, in the middle of the Château Smith Haut Lafitte, vineyards, just south of Bordeaux. The spa offers unique beauty treatments derived from grand cru grapes of the Graves appellation renowned for their anti-ageing and micro-circulation improving properties - in short, visitors apparently come out feeling good!
For
further tourist information about the areas beyond
Mimizan, please browse these region guides:
» La
Côte Landaise
»
Bassin d'Arcachon
»
Pays
des Vins
» la Cote Basque
Travel
Advice
The main advice we can offer is as follows:
1. If you plan to go to the beach, get there early. Mimizan Plage is not so bad to park as some resorts, but you can make it easier on yourself if you plan to go early.
2. Mimizan is very seasonal and some amenities, restaurants, etc will be closed outside July and August.
