Discovering Landes (Department 40)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
Landes (Department 40) is located in the south-west of France within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the rolling countryside bordering Gers, Lot-et-Garonne and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, it is France's second-largest mainland department by area.
Known for its endless pine forests, wide sandy beaches, world-class surfing, peaceful lakes and traditional villages, Landes offers a relaxed lifestyle that appeals to retirees, families, entrepreneurs and anyone looking to escape a faster pace of life. While its coastline attracts holidaymakers from around the world, much of inland Landes remains quiet, affordable and authentically French.
Whether you're considering moving to Landes, buying a holiday home or starting a business, the department offers an attractive balance of nature, modern amenities and quality of life.
At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Nouvelle-Aquitaine |
Historic name | Part of Gascony (Gascogne) |
Department number | 40 |
Department capital (Prefecture) | Mont-de-Marsan |
Largest towns | Mont-de-Marsan, Dax, Biscarrosse, Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, Tarnos, Capbreton |
Population | Approximately 430,000 |
Area | Around 9,240 km² |
Climate | Oceanic with warm summers and mild winters |
Best suited for | Retirees, families, outdoor enthusiasts, surfers, second-home owners, remote workers |
Is a car recommended? | Yes, particularly inland |
English-speaking community | Moderate, strongest along the coast and around larger towns |
Lifestyle summary | Relaxed, outdoors-focused, coastal and rural living with excellent quality of life |
Why Choose Landes?
Living in Landes offers a unique blend of Atlantic coastline, rural countryside and traditional French culture.
Lifestyle
Life moves at a comfortable pace. Residents enjoy outdoor living, local markets, café culture and an emphasis on work-life balance. The region is particularly attractive for people seeking less stress without sacrificing modern conveniences.
Community
The coastal towns have established international communities, while inland villages remain predominantly French. Many newcomers find it easy to integrate by joining clubs, sports associations and local events.
Scenery
Landes offers remarkable natural diversity:
Over 100 kilometres of Atlantic coastline
Europe's largest man-made pine forest
Numerous freshwater lakes
Quiet rivers
Nature reserves
Rolling farmland
The landscapes appeal to walkers, cyclists, surfers, anglers and nature lovers.
Accessibility
Despite its rural character, Landes is well connected.
Nearby international airports, TGV rail links and the A63 motorway provide straightforward access to Bordeaux, Spain and the rest of France.
Food
Local cuisine reflects both Gascon and Atlantic traditions.
Expect excellent:
Duck
Foie gras
Fresh seafood
Oysters
Local asparagus
Chalosse beef
Artisan cheeses
Armagnac from neighbouring areas
Culture
Traditional festivals remain an important part of local life.
Summer ferias, village celebrations, rugby, music festivals and food markets create a lively community atmosphere throughout the year.
Property
Property prices vary considerably.
Coastal locations command premium prices, while inland villages often provide excellent value, particularly for buyers seeking larger homes with gardens.
Pace of Life
Landes suits people who appreciate:
Nature
Outdoor recreation
Smaller communities
Good weather
Less congestion
A healthier work-life balance
Landes Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent healthcare, mild climate and relaxed lifestyle. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Safe communities, outdoor activities and good schools. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Strong holiday appeal and year-round enjoyment. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Tourism, hospitality, food and digital businesses perform well. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Improving broadband and excellent lifestyle, though rural internet varies. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | One of France's best departments for outdoor recreation. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Limited if you enjoy large cities, nightlife and urban amenities. |
Popular Places to Live
Mont-de-Marsan
Description
The administrative capital combines history with modern facilities.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Retirees
Advantages
Excellent services
Hospital
Schools
Shopping
Lower property prices than coastal towns
Things to consider
Less tourist atmosphere and no immediate beach access.
Dax
Description
France's famous spa town, renowned for thermal treatments.
Ideal for
Retirees
Wellness enthusiasts
Advantages
Healthcare
Walkable centre
Restaurants
Markets
Active cultural calendar
Things to consider
Busy during spa season.
Biscarrosse
Description
Located between ocean beaches and beautiful lakes.
Ideal for
Families
Watersports lovers
Holiday-home buyers
Advantages
Beaches
Sailing
Cycling
Excellent holiday atmosphere
Things to consider
Can become very busy during summer.
Hossegor
Description
An internationally recognised surfing destination with stylish cafés and boutiques.
Ideal for
Professionals
Entrepreneurs
Second-home owners
Advantages
Beautiful coastline
Excellent restaurants
Vibrant community
Things to consider
Among the department's most expensive property markets.
Capbreton
Description
A working fishing port combined with a popular seaside resort.
Ideal for
Active retirees
Families
Beach lovers
Advantages
Marina
Seafood
Coastal walks
Surfing
Things to consider
Summer tourism significantly increases visitor numbers.
Saint-Sever
Description
A charming historic market town inland.
Ideal for
Buyers seeking authentic French life
Advantages
Lower house prices
Traditional architecture
Friendly community
Things to consider
Fewer services than larger towns.
Labastide-d'Armagnac
Description
One of France's prettiest bastide villages.
Ideal for
Retirees
Heritage lovers
Advantages
Beautiful architecture
Peaceful lifestyle
Wine region nearby
Things to consider
Limited employment opportunities.
Cost of Living
Compared with much of western Europe, Landes offers good value, although there are significant differences between coastal and inland areas.
Property Affordability
Coastal towns such as Hossegor and Capbreton are among the most expensive in south-west France.
Inland villages offer considerably better value.
Traditional farmhouses and village properties remain accessible in many rural areas.
Shopping
Weekly markets offer fresh local produce at competitive prices.
Major supermarkets are available throughout the department alongside independent food producers.
Utilities
Energy costs are broadly comparable with the French average.
Older rural properties may require investment in insulation and heating improvements.
Eating Out
Options range from affordable cafés to high-quality seafood restaurants.
Lunch menus often represent excellent value.
General Value for Money
Landes provides very good value for those prioritising lifestyle over city living, particularly inland.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is strong throughout the department.
Main Hospitals
Centre Hospitalier de Mont-de-Marsan
Centre Hospitalier de Dax
Additional specialist care is available in Bayonne and Bordeaux.
Healthcare Availability
Most towns have:
GPs
Dentists
Physiotherapists
Nurses
Some rural areas experience shortages of family doctors, so registering early is advisable.
Access to Specialists
Specialists are available in larger towns, although waiting times vary depending on speciality.
Pharmacies
Almost every town has at least one pharmacy, with larger towns offering extended opening hours.
General Healthcare Considerations
France's healthcare system is consistently regarded as one of Europe's strongest, and residents benefit from comprehensive healthcare once registered.
Education
Families relocating to Landes have access to a good education network.
Schools
The department offers:
Nursery schools
Primary schools
Secondary schools
Sixth-form colleges (lycées)
Colleges
Mont-de-Marsan and Dax provide further education and vocational training.
Nearby Bordeaux offers a full range of universities.
International Options
There are limited international schools within Landes itself, although several bilingual and international schools are available in nearby Bordeaux and the Basque Country.
Language Schools
French language courses are available through adult education providers and community associations.
Getting Around
Airports
Nearby airports include:
Bordeaux
Biarritz
Pau
These provide domestic and international connections.
Rail
TGV services connect Dax with Paris in just over three hours.
Regional trains link many towns across south-west France.
Roads
Major routes include:
A63
A64 (nearby)
D824
Road quality is excellent.
Public Transport
Regional buses serve many communities but are less frequent in rural areas.
Is a Car Recommended?
Yes.
A car is highly recommended unless living in one of the larger towns.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Mont-de-Marsan | Saturday |
Dax | Saturday |
Biscarrosse | Friday |
Capbreton | Saturday |
Hossegor | Sunday (seasonal markets also available) |
Saint-Sever | Saturday |
Tartas | Wednesday |
Parentis-en-Born | Thursday |
Local Food & Drink
Landes is a paradise for food lovers.
Local specialities include:
Duck confit
Foie gras
Magret de canard
Chalosse beef
White asparagus
Fresh oysters
Atlantic seafood
Pastis Landais cake
Kiwi from Adour
Local honey
Gascon wines
Floc de Gascogne
Armagnac (nearby production areas)
Things to Do
Historic Sites
Roman remains in Dax
Historic bastide towns
Abbeys and churches
Traditional Gascon villages
Outdoor Activities
Surfing
Cycling
Walking
Horse riding
Golf
Canoeing
Paddleboarding
Fishing
Museums
Despiau-Wlérick Museum
Musée de la Chalosse
Aviation museums around Biscarrosse
Festivals
Dax Feria
Mont-de-Marsan festivals
Surf competitions
Food festivals
Village celebrations
Nature
Highlights include:
Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park
Atlantic dunes
Coastal forests
Lakes of Biscarrosse and Parentis
Nature reserves
Family Attractions
Families enjoy:
Water parks
Beaches
Adventure parks
Cycling trails
Wildlife reserves
Lake activities
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
Learning French will make everyday life considerably easier, particularly inland.
Rural Living
Many villages are peaceful but have fewer services.
Planning journeys and shopping becomes part of daily life.
Internet
Fibre broadband continues to expand across the department, although speeds still vary in remote rural locations.
Seasonal Tourism
The coast becomes extremely busy during July and August.
Inland areas remain much quieter.
Climate
Expect:
Warm summers
Mild winters
Atlantic rainfall throughout the year
Pleasant spring and autumn seasons
Community Life
Joining local associations is one of the quickest ways to integrate.
Markets, sports clubs, village festivals and volunteer groups all help newcomers become part of the community.
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living here, moving here, retiring here or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more.
Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
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Your next chapter in France could be closer than you think. Explore our Property Hub for homes, holiday properties and opportunities from local property partners across France. Whether you’re dreaming of a permanent move, a place in the sun, an investment or simply somewhere to escape to, go on — have a look. Your French property might be waiting.
Plan Your French Dream
Dreaming of a life in France? Start turning the dream into a plan. Plan Your French Dream brings together practical guides, local insights and useful information to help you explore your options, understand what’s involved and make confident decisions about moving, retiring, buying a home or simply creating a life you’ll love. Start exploring — your French story begins with a plan.
Where Will Your French Story Begin
What if the place you’ve been dreaming about is waiting for you in France? A little village where everyone knows your name, a lively market town, a home surrounded by rolling countryside or somewhere completely unexpected. Explore our guides to France’s regions and departments, discover the character, lifestyle and possibilities of each area, and start finding the place that feels like it could be yours. Where will your French story begin?
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