Landes Forest, Aquitaine

Landes forest is a protected area in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region with wetlands, pine forests, and stunning maritime shoreline. Because of the inland sea, which receded and left an infertile depression, this region was generally unpopulated throughout history. To protect this natural ecosystem, the people and the French government worked hard to drain and reforest the land.

In other terms, the Landes forest is the biggest man-made forest in Western Europe. It has various river sources, as well as numerous small villages and towns. The sky-high trees completely dominate the skyline, while the dense forests are home to a plethora of bird species that may be seen at any time of year. The Landes forest offers the biggest potential for return trips, with thousands of kilometers of hiking routes, cycling pathways, and coastline trails. Given how beautiful this region is, it's hard to explore more than a small portion of it on your first visit.

Location: 33 Rte de Bayonne, 33830 Belin-Béliet, France