Lac de Carcans-Hourtin Nature Reserve in Carcans

  • English
    • The Lac de Carcans-Hourtin is the largest natural lake in France. It is one of the great lakes of the Médoc , which form a wetland along the Gironde coast. It is linked to Lac de Lacanau by the Canal des Étangs. Originally, these two lakes were united and the canal artificially separated them. Its eastern shores are the wildest and most preserved. This area of marshy meadows and forests is classified as a “Sensitive Natural Area” to protect its flora and fauna, in particular numerous insects. Its West Banks , on the coast, are partly integrated into the National Nature Reserve of the Dunes and Marshes of Hourtin.

      You can go for walks and hikes, but also guided tours organized by the tourist office. To enjoy its waters, go to Port d'Hourtin beach. It has all the necessary comfort and even more, with its nautical base and its restaurants. On the other side of the port, you also have an aquatic leisure center, with a space reserved for children. You also have a long beach south of the lake, in Maubuisson-Carcans.

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Traveller Reviews Lac de Carcans-Hourtin

4.5 sur 5 579 reviews

  • Martin Hanl

    5 sur 5 Reviews posted by Martin Hanl on 23/06/2018

    Great place to relax, windsurf, pedalo or just swim. Beach is sandy and water level is quite shallow so great place to go with kids and no swimmers. And also they have here nice and fresh churros...its like a sea without the salt...

  • rara rozzers

    4 sur 5 Reviews posted by rara rozzers on 05/11/2023

    Aye Aye Skipper we went to Maubisson for lunch and then rented a boat from Maubisson Nautic for 1 hour. At the time it was 50 euro. The whole family took turns as captain. Great stuff #ramblingstampcollectors

  • Ams

    5 sur 5 Reviews posted by Ams on 30/08/2023

    Top

Traveller Reviews Lac de Carcans-Hourtin

4.5 sur 5 169 reviews

  • "Beautiful"

    4 / 5 Reviews posted by WGL1950 (Bangor, United Kingdom) on 07/10/2019

    A very beautiful place. The atmosphere is very peaceful and the scenery excellent. Well worth a visit. Also suitable for children as there is a man made beach and shallow water.

    Read the full review
  • "Gorgeous beach at Maubuisson"

    5 / 5 Reviews posted by Claire M (Southampton, United Kingdom) on 25/08/2018

    Lovely place to spend a hot summer's day. Lots of places nearby to eat and drink and plenty to do on the lake. The beach is beautiful, clean and sandy and the lake is shallow, warm and ideal for...

    Read the full review
  • "The largest fresh water lake in France"

    5 / 5 Reviews posted by Christopher R (Carcans, France) on 02/10/2017

    This fresh water lake is about 18km north to south and about 3km wide. There are sandy beaches and opportunities for sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, water skiing, swimming and fishing. A number...

    Read the full review

Ride around

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Le sentier des canaux

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1,4 km - Carcans

Walking

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Lac de Carcans-Hourtin

Address

33121 Carcans

Contacts

Phone : 05 56 03 21 01

GPS coordinates

45° 4'26.41"N, 1° 7'31.48"W

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