Médoc Lakes: Hourtin and Carcans, the Largest Natural Freshwater Lake Wholly in France
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Badge Unlock
Médoc Lake Cyclist
Complete this challenge to add this badge to your collection.
250
XP
+100 France
= 350 total
2 days
Médoc Lakes: Hourtin and Carcans, the Largest Natural Freshwater Lake Wholly in France
250 + 100 XP
Behind the Medoc's Atlantic dunes lies the Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, 18 km long and 5 km wide at 56.67 km2, the largest natural freshwater lake lying wholly in France, and the same size in every season. Its dune shores were pinned down with pine plantings in the 19th century, part of the largest planted forest in western Europe, and the 2,150-hectare dunes and marshes reserve at its northern end was classified in 2009. A greenway on the old timber railway runs through the pines beside it and the Velodyssee follows the dunes behind the ocean beaches.
Required Activities
1
of 4
Cycle the greenway south from Hourtin to Carcans on the bed of the old timber railway, and start or finish at the museum in the former station the line was built to serve, which is where the pine resin and sawn timber were loaded
2
of 4
Cycle a stretch of the Vélodyssée, EuroVelo 1, through the dunes from Hourtin-Plage
3
of 4
Swim from the beach at Maubuisson on the Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, supervised in summer
4
of 4
Find the lighthouse in the coastal dunes at Hourtin, listed as a historic monument since 2009, and walk out from it onto the dune ridge to see how far the pine plantations run behind the beach
Cycle the greenway south from Hourtin to Carcans on the bed of the old timber railway, and start or finish at the museum in the former station the line was built to serve, which is where the pine resin and sawn timber were loaded
Cycle a stretch of the Vélodyssée, EuroVelo 1, through the dunes from Hourtin-Plage
Swim from the beach at Maubuisson on the Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, supervised in summer
Find the lighthouse in the coastal dunes at Hourtin, listed as a historic monument since 2009, and walk out from it onto the dune ridge to see how far the pine plantations run behind the beach
Before you go
The Maubuisson beach on the lake is only lifeguarded in the summer season; the lake is 5 km wide and gets a real chop in a westerly, so keep inflatables off it.
The dunes and marshes reserve at the north end of the lake is managed by the ONF and has restricted areas - stay on the waymarked paths.
The ocean beaches at Hourtin-Plage and Carcans-Plage have strong rip currents and are only supervised in the flagged zone in summer - never swim outside it.
Finding nearby campsites...
About Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Loading region info…
Explore more about Nouvelle-Aquitaine:
Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
250 XP
France country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
350 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in France.
More challenges nearby
within 100km
Lacanau: Surf Town, the Cousseau Reserve and the Lake
France · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
sports
easy
2d
23 km away
Médoc Wine Route: Margaux, Mouton Rothschild and Fort Médoc
France · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
food
medium
1d
29 km away
Mortagne-sur-Gironde: The Cliff Hermitage and the View Over the Gironde
France · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
history
easy
1d
38 km away
Royan and Cordouan: The Lighthouse at Sea and the Concrete Church
France · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
history
medium
2d
49 km away
Bordeaux: The Miroir d'Eau, the Cité du Vin and the Port of the Moon
France · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
cultural
easy
2d
54 km away
Jonzac: The Quarry Spa, the Carmelite Cloister and the Château of 1449
France · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
wellness
easy
1d
57 km away