Lacanau: Surf Town, the Cousseau Reserve and the Lake
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
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Lacanau Surfer
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250
XP
+100 France
= 350 total
2 days
Lacanau: Surf Town, the Cousseau Reserve and the Lake
250 + 100 XP
Lacanau-Océan has held the Lacanau Pro every year since 1979, the oldest professional surf contest in France and now a stage of the World Surf League's Qualifying Series. Inland, between its lake and the Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, the 600-hectare national nature reserve of the Étang de Cousseau, created by decree on 26 August 1976, shelters sundews, otters and European pond turtles, and is grazed by Marine cattle and Landais ponies to keep the marsh open.
Required Activities
1
of 4
Take a surf lesson on the beach at Lacanau-Océan
2
of 4
Walk the marked interpretation trail through the Étang de Cousseau reserve from the observatory at the south end to the clearing in the west, find the Drosera intermedia in the peaty hollows, and pick out the animals doing the mowing — Marine cattle, Landais ponies and, since 2024, a herd of water buffalo
3
of 4
Swim, sail or paddle on the Lac de Lacanau from the beach at Le Moutchic
4
of 4
Ride the greenway inland from Lacanau-Océan on the bed of the old Bordeaux railway, opened in 1885 and closed in 1978, and follow it through the pines to the lake at Le Moutchic
Take a surf lesson on the beach at Lacanau-Océan
Walk the marked interpretation trail through the Étang de Cousseau reserve from the observatory at the south end to the clearing in the west, find the Drosera intermedia in the peaty hollows, and pick out the animals doing the mowing — Marine cattle, Landais ponies and, since 2024, a herd of water buffalo
Swim, sail or paddle on the Lac de Lacanau from the beach at Le Moutchic
Ride the greenway inland from Lacanau-Océan on the bed of the old Bordeaux railway, opened in 1885 and closed in 1978, and follow it through the pines to the lake at Le Moutchic
Before you go
The Étang de Cousseau reserve cannot be reached by car: from the Marmande car park on the D6E1 it is about 2.5 km on foot or by bike to the Lesperon entrance, where bikes must be left in the rack — the walk round the reserve is about 7.5 km and takes three hours. The reserve itself is open all year.
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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.
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