
General Presentation of Lacanau
Lacanau is a charming town located on the Atlantic coast, in the Gironde department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Known for its exceptional natural environment between ocean, pine forest, and lake, it attracts both nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
The Lacanau area is mainly divided into several complementary districts: Lacanau Océan, famous for its fine sandy beaches and world-renowned surf spots; Lacanau Ville, the historic and lively heart with markets, shops, and cultural facilities; the Le Huga district, quieter and green, ideal for cycling and families; the Golf district with its prestigious golf courses and luxury homes; and Le Moutchic, by the lake, perfect for freshwater water sports and a peaceful atmosphere.
Lacanau enjoys an environment that invites outdoor activities all year round: surfing, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, hiking, cycling, golfing, as well as swimming and relaxing. The town regularly hosts sporting and cultural events that color local life, such as the famous Lacanau Pro an international surf festival.
With its high quality of life, pristine surroundings, and diverse tourist offerings, Lacanau is an ideal destination for family holidays, active stays, or nature excursions, offering a delightful mix of energy and calm.

Events in Lacanau
Lacanau offers a rich and varied program of events year-round for all audiences. In summer, the Lacanau Pro is a must-see event for surf enthusiasts, featuring international competitions, concerts, and festive activities. The Lacanau Triathlon, a recognized sporting event, attracts many athletes from France and beyond annually. Golf also takes the spotlight with international competitions on three different courses.
In June, the Crossing of the Lake swim invites swimmers for a 3.8 km challenge between La Grande Escoure and Lacanau-Ville. In July, the La Grande Escoure Festival offers a festive week with concerts, children’s activities, and community meals. The AOC Médoc & Haut-Médoc wine market highlights local wines and regional products. The World Flip-Flop Throwing Championships provide an original and relaxed atmosphere. The Lacanau Open Tennis Tournament, from late July to mid-August, attracts amateurs and professionals alike.
Every Thursday evening, the well-known Apéros Canaulais take place in the town center, with music, conviviality, and culinary discoveries in a festive setting. On the cultural front, performances like “Rosi, Rosa,” “Cabaret UNO,” and “Terres de rêves” offer emotional and entertaining moments for the whole family. In August, the SunSka Festival near Vertheuil brings reggae, dub, and ska concerts. Finally, the literary salon Lacanau jette l’encre in October invites authors to meet and participate in book-related activities. Lacanau thus convinces with a mix of sporting, cultural, and festive activities in an exceptional natural setting.

The Golf District
Close to Lacanau Océan but away from the hustle and bustle, the Golf District offers a chic and quiet environment where calm and elegance prevail. Surrounded by majestic pines and structured around a beautiful 18-hole golf course, this district attracts an audience seeking comfort and discretion. Modern villas, architect-designed homes, and luxury residences fit perfectly into this pristine natural setting. The district is also known for its wellness centers, spas, and relaxation facilities for a refreshing break.
The Lacanau Golf, with its renowned courses, welcomes both beginners and advanced players and features an elegant clubhouse and an academy offering personalized lessons and workshops to perfect your swing. There are three golf courses in total: Méjanne Ugolf, Golf du Baganais, offering a variety of layouts. Every year, the important regional competition Trophée Golf Médoc is held here, a friendly and sporty event.
Nearby, Spa Vitalparc offers massages, body treatments, and relaxation areas, ideal to recover after a round of golf or a day at the beach. Whether for golf, relaxation in a prestigious setting, or enjoying proximity to the beach without the crowds, the Golf District offers a perfect balance of nature, luxury, and serenity. It is the ideal place for a high-quality stay or a refined lifestyle amid pine forests and close to the ocean.

Lacanau Ville
Every Saturday morning, the square of La Gaité in Lacanau Ville comes alive under the market hall. All year round, residents and visitors stroll among the stalls of local producers: fruits, vegetables, cheeses, charcuterie, artisanal bread, sweet treats, and Médoc wines. People enjoy a glass of white wine and fresh oysters in an authentic and friendly atmosphere.
Less than a kilometer away, the Lacanau Lake invites you to a shady, shallow sandy beach, ideal for families with young children or to relax with friends playing games or having a picnic by the water.
Every year on July 14th, a magnificent fireworks display is set off at the lake, accompanied by a small craft market and food stalls on the shore, attracting thousands of visitors in a festive and warm atmosphere.
Near the lake, the pub La Canaulaise offers a relaxed setting with a garden, pétanque, and darts areas. It is the perfect place to end a bike ride or just enjoy an evening in a local and friendly atmosphere.
Around Lacanau, there is an extensive network of well-maintained bike paths running through pine forests and alongside surrounding ponds. These peaceful and shady routes offer ideal loop rides for families, friends, or anyone wanting to enjoy the scenery quietly. The bike rental Loc Bike offers classic bikes, hybrid bikes, electric bikes, and beach cruisers to explore trails, quiet beaches, or the lake.
The lake, with its calm and shallow waters, is also popular with gliding and water sports lovers. It is a perfect place to learn kitesurfing; the BEKITE school organizes initiations and lessons in small groups in a safe and open environment.

Le Huga
Halfway between Lacanau Ville and Lacanau Océan lies the Le Huga district, nestled in a preserved wooded environment. This residential and tourist district offers an exceptional natural setting, ideal for those who love peace and greenery.
Le Huga consists of holiday homes, chalets, and large villas under the pines, giving the area a quiet and elegant atmosphere. Here, you immediately feel detached from daily stress, and time seems to slow down during bike rides and naps in the shade of the trees.
The many bike paths running through the district make it easy to reach the beach or the center within minutes. Cyclists and walkers find an ideal playground here with quiet paths to discover local flora and fauna.
Le Huga also offers family-friendly spaces such as playgrounds and quiet picnic areas. Sports enthusiasts can find tennis courts and multisport fields nearby, including in Le Huga park, to stay active in a natural environment.
Beaches just minutes away offer a wide range of water sports to complete a rich stay.
Peace, nature, and simplicity characterize this corner of Lacanau, especially loved by families and vacationers seeking space and calm.

Le Moutchic
On the northern shore of Lacanau Lake, the Le Moutchic district unfolds a soft and peaceful landscape, very different from the ocean’s energy. Here the water is calm, the shores with fine sand invite relaxation, and both vacationers and residents come to enjoy a friendly atmosphere.
The district focuses around the lake beach, guarded in summer, and a lively water sports base offering numerous activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, and pedal boating, suitable for all levels. For families, the Splash Parc water park is a big plus, with a safe and playful water area for children. Alongside playgrounds, shady picnic zones provide cozy outdoor meals, while family-friendly entertainment during the season fills days with workshops, games, and nature excursions.
Le Moutchic, made up of small houses and holiday rentals, breathes relaxation, nature, and holiday simplicity. In the sports world, it is well known as the start and finish area of the Lacanau Triathlon, an important competition that annually attracts many athletes.
It is the gentle side of Lacanau, ideal for families with young children, lovers of quiet leisure, or those who prefer the calm reflections of a lake to the powerful waves of the ocean.

Things to Do in the Area
Around Lacanau, discovery opportunities are just as rich as varied. Less than an hour’s drive away is Bordeaux — a UNESCO World Heritage city — which enchants with its elegant architecture, lively quays, museums such as the Musée d’Aquitaine, la Cité du Vin, nd boutiques. It is also the wine capital of the world, perfect to start the Médoc wine route, crossing prestigious appellations such as Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint-Julien. Tastings, visits to famous châteaux like Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild, and vineyard walks make this route a must for wine lovers.
Nature lovers can visit the Duna de Pilat, the highest dune in Europe, about 1 hour and 15 minutes away by car. It offers spectacular views of the ocean, the Landais forest, and the Banc d’Arguin. An ideal spot for a day trip with a picnic atop the dune or swimming below.
Nearby, the Arcachon Bay reveals a very different side of the region: quieter and more intimate. Here, typical and charming places such as the oyster village L’Herbe on the peninsula can be discovered, with its colorful oyster huts, sandy alleys, and oyster tastings with feet in the water. The adjacent Cap Ferret peninsula invites strolling between wild ocean beaches and small bay harbors. One can visit the bird island by boat with its famous “cabanes tchanquées” or stop at the Cap Ferret market, very popular for fresh products and bohemian-chic atmosphere.
For local gastronomy lovers, a tasting at Huîtres du Bassin or a culinary break at Cabane 57 is a must.
Further north, seaside resorts like Soulac-sur-Mer, Montalivet, and Hourtin offer family-friendly beaches, local markets, surf spots, and various water sports, while preserving a quieter and natural atmosphere. In Soulac, the protected site of the Basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-fin-des-Terres is also worth a visit.
Whether you enjoy urban bustle, vast nature, authentic villages, or culinary discoveries, the surroundings of Lacanau offer countless escapades to enjoy at your own pace.

Lacanau Océan
Located on the Atlantic Ocean, Lacanau Océan is perhaps the most emblematic and lively district of the town. With its vast sandy beach, powerful waves, and world-famous surf spots, it attracts many passionate surfers from all over the world each year. The atmosphere is dynamic and sometimes festive, especially during the high season.
The center is full of restaurants, cafés, shops, and various activities. Well-known places include Le Kayoc, for sunsets on the terrace, Sunset Café for an evening drink, and the Lacanau Surf Club, a local surfing institution since the 1960s. Every Wednesday morning there is a large market at the Le Mail car park, featuring local products, crafts, clothing, and food stalls in a relaxed atmosphere close to the ocean.
The nightlife is lively, with numerous bars and clubs where people can extend the day with live music or DJ sets.
In summer, the district is active with evening markets, open-air concerts, and sporting events such as the famous Lacanau Pro. Yet, there are also quieter spots, especially behind the dunes, where you can enjoy cycling or walking.
Lacanau Océan offers beaches for all tastes: the central beach for families, the northern beach for experienced surfers and kitesurfers, and quieter beaches for moments of relaxation. It is the ultimate holiday vibe between surfing, sun, terrace aperitifs, sunsets, and festive evenings.