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Accueil > The Orx Marsh

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Looking for a vacation in the Landes? Book your stay at Camping la Jougotte. It offers a variety of entertainment and activities to share with family or friends. This campsite with a swimming pool is only 7 km from the most beautiful beaches in the Landes.

About 50 minutes from your family campsite, you can visit one of the most beautiful natural areas in the region: the Orx marsh.

An Exceptional Nature Reserve

The Orx marsh is a tapestry of greenery where you can admire several natural environments: meadows, willow groves, rush beds… It is especially a favored destination for several animal species that stop there, particularly waterfowl that choose this area for wintering. Similarly, the Orx marsh biosphere includes various species of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that are linked to it.

This crescent-shaped marsh is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in the Landes department. It brings together the communes of Orx, Labenne, and Saint-André-de-Seignanx. It is 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide.

The Orx marsh has been a nature reserve managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral since 1989. It has an approximate area of 1,000 hectares, 774 of which have been classified as a National Nature Reserve since 1995. Furthermore, this site is part of the European Natura 2000 network. Similarly, this natural site holds the Qualité Tourisme label.

Learn all about the Marsh’s History

Geological studies on the marsh’s origins have shown that this area dates back 3 million years. For several centuries, it was simply a collection of wetlands. But Napoleon I’s initiative in 1808 changed the identity of this natural area. Indeed, the monarch had ordered the marsh to be drained to implement transformations, including the installation of several pumping systems to allow for corn cultivation.

The marsh regained its former wild state during the 1980s. That’s when the Conservatoire de l’Espace du Littoral et des Rivages Lacustres acquired it. It’s important to mention that the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) contributed to this initiative given the site’s great ecological importance.

What to Discover During your Visit?

During your visit, you can admire some of the 247 bird species that frequent this highly important ornithological site. We can mention very rare species, such as the White-tailed Kite and the Eurasian Spoonbill.

You will also have the chance to attend several temporary exhibitions that highlight the marsh’s unique features and its residents. If you choose guided tours, the guide will inform you about the specific characteristics of the marsh’s different areas. It will be a great informative moment that will raise your awareness about the work done in this reserve.

You can access the Orx Marsh daily for free. However, an additional fee applies for guided tours. Between October and April, Maison Béziers is open Tuesday to Friday, from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 2 PM to 5 PM. In May, June, and September, you can visit from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2 PM to 5 PM. During the summer season, the Welcome Center is open from 9 AM to 7 PM. Please note that it is strictly forbidden to bring animals into the perimeter or to cycle there.