Mont-de-Marsan is famous for its flamenco festival and its Madeleine festivities.

The site of its old port, at the confluence of the Midou and the Douze rivers, which join to form the Midouze, features charming ‘cales’ – narrow streets in the old town that once served as gently sloping ramps for launching boats.

Its many green spaces, such as Jean-Rameau Park, are home to fine specimens of palm trees and magnolias, a testament to the mild climate.

The route proposed by CycloTransEurope takes in Saint-Sever, a key stop on the Way of St James, and the Marsan region.

A former port on the Midouze, Tartas is a village in the Landes region boasting many old houses. The most notable is the house known as Jeanne d’Albret’s, named after the mother of Henry IV.
Visitors can enjoy all kinds of hiking in the surrounding woodland or canoeing along the river.
As well as the local culinary specialities (foie gras, duck breast, Landes pastis, etc.), during local festivals you can enjoy traditional entertainment such as dancing on stilts or Landes-style bull-running, with a scarf around your neck and a smile on your face!

Mont-de-Marsan is famous for its flamenco festival and its Madeleine festivities.

The site of its old port, at the confluence of the Midou and the Douze – which together form the Midouze – features charming ‘cales’, narrow streets in the old town that once served as gently sloping ramps for launching boats.

Its many green spaces, such as Jean-Rameau Park, are home to fine specimens of palm trees and magnolias, a testament to the mild climate.

The official Scandibérique route takes you to Tartas, on the banks of the Midouze, via an easy, wooded stretch through the Landes region.

The association offers an alternative route for exploring Saint-Sever.

The most popular spa resort in France, Dax has been renowned since Roman times for its water, which flows at 62°C, and above all for its mud-based spa treatments!

You can wander through its narrow pedestrianised streets, or through the parks and along the banks of the Adour in search of a bit of cool air. Dax is also very lively (and tipsy!) when the 15 August festivities roll around!

The Scandibérique route leaves Dax via Saint-Paul-lès-Dax before reaching the Adour valley, heading towards the village of Saubusse.

CycloTranseurope offers a southern route.

From Saint-Jean-de-Marsacq, the route winds along the banks of the Adour, lined with flood-prone wet meadows known as ‘barthes’ and designated as a Natura 2000 site. These are home to remarkable species such as the otter and the European pond turtle, a small freshwater turtle.

Urt, a former fishing village with a distinctly Basque atmosphere, featuring a pelota court and a white church, was Roland Barthes’ adopted home.

In the centre of Dax, follow the Adour river along the edge of Théodore Denis Park, then cross over to the right bank towards Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, which you reach via Avenue St-Vincent-de-Paul. In the centre of the town, take the D524 (Avenue de la Résistance then Avenue des Lacs) and follow it until you reach the outskirts of the town. Just after the town’s ring road, take Allée d’Ardy, which leads to the village of Mées via the D170. Avoid most of this departmental road to reach  Angoumé before returning to the banks of the Adour at the valley of the Esté stream.

Follow the right bank of the river downstream towards Saubusse. The route continues smoothly along the Adour towards Saint-Jean-de-Marsacq.

Saint-Sever, a medieval stronghold, is situated on the “Cap de Gascogne”, overlooking the forested plains of the Landes. The small town is best known for its abbey church, one of the architectural gems listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dot the famous Way of St James.

It’s easy to get into the Chalosse region, thanks to a rustic, shaded cycle path that runs all the way to Montfort-en-Chalosse.

Do take the opportunity to stop for a tasty break and sample the local specialities: poultry from Saint-Sever, Chalosse beef, Coteau de Chalosse IGP wines, the famous tourtières, and Landais pastis – which, incidentally, isn’t an aniseed-flavoured spirit but a puff pastry cake!

Following this loop between Mont-de-Marsan and Dax, which forms an unofficial alternative route to the Scandibérique (EuroVelo 3), you’ll pass through the Chalosse hills.

A charming bastide overlooking this rural landscape, Monfort-en-Chalosse lies at the heart of a maize-growing region where the crop has been cultivated since the 17th century, long before its modern expansion.

You continue your walk towards Dax, whose renowned spa attracts many visitors seeking treatment, following the greenway to Hinx and then along the banks of the Adour. You can take a detour via Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, home to the house of the famous chaplain to King Louis XIII.