If there's still such a thing as an insider tip on the Côte d'argent, it's probably Labenne. Most families, as well as couples seeking tranquility, who have once vacationed in this smaller, quieter town, return for various reasons time and again. They appreciate, on the one hand, Labenne's central location, situated exactly in the middle between Hossegor and Bayonne. While the established center is about 4 km from the coast, most holiday homes in Labenne-Océan are within walking distance to the beach (200 m to 900 m).
You won't find large apartment complexes or hotels here. Apart from a few campsites on the outskirts, Labenne-Océan consists exclusively of individual, detached houses and villas in an absolutely quiet environment, mostly surrounded by large garden plots. Labenne has long ceased to be a mere holiday resort. Even out of season, the majority of the houses are inhabited, as many affluent families have settled here, working in Bayonne, 10 km away.
The kilometers-long, wide, fine sandy beach is inviting for both swimming and solitary beach walks. Outside the guarded beach section, nudism is also possible. The natural dunes are completely undeveloped, and the pine forest reaches right up to the dunes to the north and south of Labenne-Océan.
The main bathing beach is supervised from mid-June to the beginning of September. There, you'll find a nice children's playground as well as some beach cafés offering refreshments and snacks. Two smaller supermarkets, a bakery, and a few restaurants are also available. A large supermarket and additional dining establishments are located in the town center, 3 km away.
Labenne offers ideal conditions for joggers, horse riders, inline skaters, and cyclists. On the freshly paved bike path, you can cycle through the pine forest along a small footpath, off the road, heading south to the gates of Bayonne and north to the Bassin d’Arcachon (about 100 km). Additionally, there are tennis courts, a modern outdoor pool with water slides, and two surf schools. If the weather isn't so good, a visit to the 1,200 m² wellness center with a sauna, hammam, massages, and an indoor pool is worthwhile. In the town center, there is also a lovingly designed (petting) zoo, a monkey and a reptile enclosure.
World-famous places like Biarritz to the south and Hossegor to the north can be reached in just a few minutes by car. A trip to the nearby Pyrenees or the picturesque Basque Country is also recommended.