Hourtin is a premier seaside destination on the Atlantic coast in Gironde. It's a good place, it's pretty, family-friendly and all the attractions come together for a great stay. Do you like small, friendly villages and market delicacies? Do you like cycling, taking the time to live? Do you like walks, going to the beach, eating an ice cream while walking around a pretty marina? Water activities, beach games, in short, vacations? We give you a myriad of good reasons to come to Hourtin!

Photos from the report: Guide Bordeaux Gironde

Aloa Vacances - Camping l'Orée du Bois

Aloa Vacances - Camping l'Orée du Bois
  • Campsites, Mobile Homes
  • Hourtin

For a relaxing vacation between lake and beach in the Médoc

1,6 km

Camping Domaine La Résinière

Camping Domaine La Résinière
  • Campsites, Mobile Homes
  • Hourtin

A successful holiday in Hourtin

1,7 km

Camping de la Côte d'Argent

Camping de la Côte d'Argent
  • Campsites, Mobile Homes
  • Hourtin

Enjoy a relaxing holiday in the middle of a pine forest

9,4 km

Hourtin city

The best things to do on vacation in Hourtin

  • Book your vacation at camping 3* l'Orée du Bois 
  • Take your bike to get around and experience a green slow-tourism vacation
  •  Eat oysters at the market on Thursday morning
  •  Take a boat trip on Lake Hourtin (pedal boat, canoe or kayak works too)
  •  Eating an ice cream on the port of Hourtin while wondering which boat you would like to have!
  •  Go play on the children's island, in summer take to the inflatable games on the lake!
Hourtin port pier


Book a stay at l'Orée du Bois, a welcoming 3* family campsite in Gironde

The beautiful season has finally arrived, it's time to go on holiday to l'Orée du Bois, a 3* campsite adored by parents and children alike. Ideally located 2.5 km from Lake Hourtin, the largest lake in France, it opens its doors between April and September to the delight of holidaymakers. Pack your bags without delay!


L'Orée du Bois, a 3* campsite with a variety of rentals for staying in Hourtin

Between beach, lake and forest, what a pleasure to escape for a few well-deserved days of relaxation. At L'Orée du Bois, you have the choice to settle in:

  • Comfortable mobile homes with outdoor terrace,
  • Canvas bungalows with equipped kitchenette,
  • Wooden cabins and coco sweet tents for an unusual night.

Accessible for 4 to 8 people, the accommodations suit all desires and all budgets. Fans of camping in a tent, caravan or camper van can enjoy spacious and shaded pitches for up to 6 people, with or without electricity. Spend your holidays as you like at the 3* Camping l'Orée du Bois.


L'Orée du Bois, a 3* campsite with quality services near Lake Hourtin

You will love escaping to the heart of unspoiled nature, in a friendly outdoor hotel suitable for families. There is no shortage of activities with the aquatic area consisting of a swimming pool, a covered and heated paddling pool and 4 slides for thrill seekers. After the effort, the comfort, go to the snack bar to order an ice cream and a cocktail to sip on the large shaded terrace. Consult the menu, snacks are offered as well as takeaway meals. A grocery store is also at your disposal for some last-minute shopping. Have fun all summer long, entertainment is organized for young and old, while rental bikes allow you to crisscross the trails between the lake and the forest.


Photo: © Aloa Vacances - Camping l'Orée du Bois
Photo: © Aloa Vacances - Camping l'Orée du Bois

a stay in Hourtin, with family and at the market!

There are destinations that are more family-friendly than others: Hourtin brings together all the aspects of a perfect destination for children. Like several seaside towns in the region, its village is decentralized from its beach and its lake: Hourtin is a large town, but you can get around easily by bike thanks to the secure cycle path. Hourtin town is in the middle of pine trees, there are housing estates and pretty residences all around a small village arranged on the outskirts of its church. No exceptional heritage, but practicality, a sweetness of living there. There you will find the Tourist Office, a supermarket, local shops and personal and home services (hairdresser, laundromat, beautician, etc.). It is an ideal resort for a beach holiday near Bordeaux, because everything is close, Hourtin is in a central position!

Hourtin City church
Bikes in Hourtin

Le Relais de Sophie en Guinguette

Le Relais de Sophie en Guinguette
  • Restaurants
  • Talais

Enjoy seafood in Talais in the Médoc

33,5 km

Le Relais de Sophie en Guinguette

Le Relais de Sophie en Guinguette
  • Oysters Bar / Seafood Tasting
  • Talais

Enjoy fruit by the canal in Talais

33,5 km

Le Savoie

Le Savoie
  • Restaurants
  • Margaux

A must-see gourmet address in Gironde

33,7 km


The great thing about Hourtin is its superb market! In the church square, dozens of stands are gathered for the big Thursday morning market, which takes place all year round. In summer, there is also a market on Tuesday and Saturday. Stalls of fruit, vegetables, cakes, breads, ready meals, world specialties, clothes, bags, personal and kitchen equipment... The Hourtin market is really well stocked and you will find everything there. which you need. And the best of the best? Come and taste oysters and a nice glass of white wine. That’s the good life!

From Hourtin, you can easily reach Lake Hourtin and its port by bike (2.5km). By car (or by bike, but it's 12km), you can reach Hourtin beach, we will talk about it in another article.

Hourtin market
Hourtin market
Hourtin market
Hourtin market
Hourtin market

The Lake and Port of Hourtin

Get on the bike or sneakers and head towards Lake Hourtin and more particularly its port. Lake Hourtin is quite simply the largest freshwater lake in France. It is gigantic, but it has the advantage of being protected from the waves, it is ideal for children to swim on the beaches of the lake in complete peace of mind. This large lake also straddles the commune of Carcan. On the lake, a multitude of activities can take place: boat trips, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up-paddle, buoy rides, pedal boat rides, kitesurfing, fishing...

Click to see the beaches of Hourtin ! On the lake and at the ocean


Hourtin Lake

He'enalu Surf School and Nature

He'enalu Surf School and Nature
  • Surf/Kitesurf/ Surfing Schools
  • Carcans

Friendly surf school in Carcans-Plage

15,4 km

Castle Citran

Castle Citran
  • Kids Entertainment
  • Avensan

Fun and magical trails in a fairytale setting in Gironde

28,6 km

The Room Escape Game Citadelle de Blaye

The Room Escape Game Citadelle de Blaye
  • Escape Game / Laser Game / VR
  • Blaye

Experience a unique adventure in the heart of a historical site in Blaye

31,4 km


The eastern shores of the lake are classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, which shows their beauty and ecological interest!

Lake Hourtin, which is more than 18km long, was first formed with the creation of a sand dune, pushed by the wind coming from the sea, a very long time ago. The space formed in the hollow of the dune was gradually filled with sediments, which made the bottom layer impermeable, allowing the accumulation of rainwater and runoff. Time did its job and the lake was born! Did you know that Lake Hourtin has a maximum depth of 11m? On average it is 2 to 4m, that's very little! You can fish for zander, carp, pike, etc. there.

Hourtin Lake Port
Hourtin Lake Beach


Are you on vacation with the children in Hourtin? Take them to explore Children’s Island. On the right of the port, there is a grassy area dedicated to children and sports activities! Playgrounds, giant wooden castle! You can cycle on the pump track, walk on the trails. There are footbridges to reach the edges of the lake and pretty little intimate beaches. The water is not salty on the lake and there are no tides. There is also the small fishing village of Piqueyrot, we will talk about it in another article.

Children's Island Castle
hourtin inflatable water games
Boat trip
Swimming in Lake Hourtin


We love going to the end of the pier by bike or on foot, we embrace all the grandeur of the lake. We see seagulls, fishermen, sportsmen... It's a little part of the world. We wish you happy holidays in Hourtin!


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Hourtin port pier


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