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 village, return for various reasons time and again. They appreciate, on the one hand, the central location of Labenne, which is situated right 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 campgrounds 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 outside the peak season, the majority of houses are inhabited, as many well-to-do 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 supervised beach area, nudism is also possible. The natural dunes are completely undeveloped, and the pine forest reaches right up to the dunes in the north and south of Labenne-Océan.
The main swimming 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 cafés offering refreshments and snacks. Two smaller supermarkets, a bakery, and a few restaurants are also available. A large supermarket and more dining options are located in the town center, 3 km away.
Labenne is ideal for joggers, horse riders, inline skaters, and cyclists. On the newly asphalted bike path, you can cycle through the pine forest along a small river, away from the road, heading south to the gates of Bayonne and north to the Bassin d’Arcachon (approx. 100 km). In addition, there are tennis courts, a modern outdoor swimming pool with water slides, and two surf schools. If the weather should be less than perfect, 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.
The world-famous places like Biarritz in the south and Hossegor in the north are just a few minutes' drive away. A trip to the nearby Pyrenees or the picturesque Basque Country is also highly recommended.
By car: Highway A63, exit Capbreton
By train: TGV - Bayonne station, Labenne regional station
By plane: Biarritz Airport