If there's still such a thing as an insider tip on the Côte d'argent, it must be 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, the central location of Labenne, which is situated right 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 edge of town, 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 outside the peak season, the majority of houses are occupied, as many well-to-do families have settled here, working in Bayonne, 10 km away.
The kilometers-long, wide, fine sandy beach is perfect for both swimming and solitary beach walks. Outside the supervised beach area, 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 beach is supervised from mid-June to the beginning of September. There, you'll find a lovely children's playground as well as some beach cafes offering refreshments and snacks. Two smaller supermarkets, a bakery, and a few restaurants are also available. A larger supermarket and more dining options are located in the town center, 3 km away.
Labenne is ideal for joggers, horseback riders, inline skaters, and cyclists. On the freshly paved bike path, you can cycle away from the road through the pine forest along a small footpath 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 surfing schools. If the weather is not so good, it's worth visiting the 1,200 m2 wellness center with a sauna, hammam, massages, and an indoor pool. In the town center, there is also a lovingly designed petting zoo, a monkey enclosure, and a reptile house.
World-famous places like Biarritz in the south and Hossegor in 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 highly recommended.