Alexandra’s best addresses in Seignosse

This summer I had the opportunity to (re)discover the village that welcomed me in December 2020 and with which I fell in love. Surrounded by my friends, I was able to enjoy some unique natural experiences in Seignosse. Finding Seignosse is quite easy: take the south coast of the Landes, look for Hossegor and Capbreton, and Seignosse and Hossegor are next to each other! You can pass from one municipality to the other without noticing it.

For those of you who have been following me on the web for a long time @alexandramuller, you know how much I love being in the Landes department, cradled by the ocean, living an authentic and simple lifestyle. I never thought I’d end up in a holiday destination, but I did… A few months ago, I moved into a magnificent surfhouse in Les Estagnots. I quickly realised that, despite my wanderlust, this was where I was going to live.

More than just a summer destination, Seignosse is the “Californian style” destination par excellence in the south of the Landes.

In this article, I invite you to discover the fine sandy beaches,  the many waymarked paths in the forest, freshwater ponds to contemplate, the golf de Seignosse, the cycle paths, and the 500 ha of protected natural areas that make up the DNA of this town, ideally placed between the ocean and the Landes pine forest.

My steps then led me to the Larrigan shopping area, with its trendy, ethical boutiques.

To visit Seignosse and take full advantage of the different landscapes, I recommend renting a FATBIKE, the magic bike with the big tyres that’s just as at home on hard sand as it is on forest paths.

I love getting up early and enjoying the first light of the day. So it’s only natural that I join one of my friends for a yoga session facing the ocean on the beach of the “casernes”. It’s also the perfect time, if the conditions are right,  to take a surf lesson in one of the surf schools in Seignosse.

Brunch in front of the ocean 

Head to Les Estagnots Beach for a gourmet breakfast with your feet in the sand at la Cabane des Estagnots. The hut is open from April to October from breakfast to dinner;

My favourite beaches in Seignosse : Les casernes (the wildest), les Estagnots (the closest to Hossegor) , les Bourdaines (the most family-friendly) and le Penon with its dune walk: an aerial walk on stilts overlooking the beach with the Pyrenees as a backdrop.

The walk on the dune is just as enjoyable during the day as it is at sunset, and very Instagrammable!

Le Penon, welcome to SEIGNOSSE OCeAN

It’s a part of Seignosse that I know well and that never ceases to amaze me with its dynamism. The various local players are giving Le Penon a new lease of life and the next few years will be even more surprising.

We put our bikes down at the tourist office to discover les Halles du Penon, a new tasting venue nestled between the pine trees. Like a food court, you choose from the stalls and sit down at the large wooden tables to sample the cuisine offered by:

Rosny Beer: bar & local beers

L’Algue bleue: scale and local tapas…

La Boca: argentina special meals

Burgers LAYERS: the best creative burgers..

Kachou Nut: organic, local and veggie cuisine 

In the evening, we head for the “Cabane au fond du jardin”, de la Villa de l’étang blanc. It’s an unusual place that invites you to get away from it all, and lets you enjoy the Landes countryside in complete peace and quiet. For an aperitif, head to the back of the villa’s garden, beside the pond, to sample champagnes, wines by the glass or cocktails. This champagne bar, nestling in magnificent wooded grounds, is a delight to behold.

“The menu varies according to the tastings and, above all, the encounters of Magali and David, who are very attached to the relationships they form with their producers; it’s also a story of the heart. You can enjoy the fine bubbles of the champagnes on the menu, as well as wines from the South-West and cocktails”. If you want to extend the moment, the Villa’s restaurant has a Michelin star.

CONNECTING WITH NATURE

I moved to the Landes to rediscover my connection with nature, and to preserve it, I opted for a lifestyle that’s in tune with it. For many people, Seignosse represents paradise on earth, with its beaches, forests, surfing, ocean, good vibes and wide open spaces… And it’s a commune that’s increasingly committed to ecology, so yes, I’ve adopted the Seignosse Attitude straight away!

Between the 40km of forest paths for a breath of fresh air and the Voie Verte, which is car-free and can be explored by bike, skateboard or runner, there’s no shortage of opportunities to take a breath of fresh air. 

We then went on to discover the Etang Noir Nature Reserve.

You walk along a wooden pontoon bridge through the heart of a primeval forest, typical of the wetlands of the Landes region: swampy forest, peat bog, pond, stream… With a bit of luck, and by keeping quiet and on the lookout, you may just catch a glimpse of dragonflies, turttle cistudes and other protected animals. The black pond owes its name to its deep, muddy waters, and its name reinforces the mysterious atmosphere. The trail can be enjoyed as a micro-adventure with family or friends. At the end of the footbridge…the view over the Black Pond is breathtaking, almost giving you a glimpse of the Canadian landscape.

Also discover the nearby Etang Blanc:

This little “secret corner” will give you the nature break you’ve come here for. You can see it from the road leading to Soustons, and there are several stops where you can picnic and contemplate. The huts on stilts, known as ” tonnes “, are shelters for fishermen and hunters.

SEIGNOSSE GOLF, 18 holes in a forest setting  

The golf de Seignosse designed by architect Robert Van Hagge is an exceptional place. I always really enjoy driving along the golf road to get to the town of Seignosse. You literally drive through the golf course, with the greens on either side of the road. “Tucs” (our local little hills), a lake, long winding fairways, it’s a demanding golf course that the pros love. 

I gave Julia an appointment, to discover the new KBANE golf course at Seignosse and have a drink with a plate of tapas before we practise on the driving range to music. This place is really original and open to everyone, golfer or not. In season, there are DJ sets every evening;

FOR 100% LOCAL & ethical SHOPPING

Take the time to stroll around and discover the pretty boutiques of Le Penon. My first favourite will be the Concept Store MAISON MARCELLE and its cheerful bazaar full of nuggets. It’s tiny, but it’s easy to get lost because there’s so much to choose from. There are treasures and gift ideas galore: a bag, a bar of soap, a dress, socks, an illustration, vintage crockery, a necklace, shorts, a vinyl… All under the gaze of an old stuffed fox, and with the kindness of Estelle and Sébastien, the artists who own the place.

My second favourite is the LA VIGIE surf shop an institution, and the perfect place to hire or buy skate and surf equipment with very professional advice. There’s a huge selection of great brands to choose from, including swimwear and streetwear that fits in so well with the local dresscode. 

And last but not least, don’t miss the LARRIGAN shopping, craft and design zone : pretty craft and design shops have set up in this area a little way from SEIGNOSSE, on the Route de Saubion 

I also invite you to discover other images of the Landes and Seignosse in my Instagram account @alexandramuller