Lake Aureilhan & its history

Between Mimizan and Aureilhan nestles a jewel of the Landes: the Lac d’Aureilhan-Mimizan. Following the invasion of the sands, this 340-hectare natural lake has metamorphosed into a fascinating natural sanctuary. From the majestic Château de Woolsack, once home to Coco Chanel, to the mischievous otters that dance in its waters, every nook and cranny tells a story.

When Mother Nature plays architect! The birth of a lake:

Fasten your seatbelts, we’re going back in time! Our Lac d’Aureilhan isn’t just a beautiful postcard, it’s a veritable geological soap opera that began… during the last ice age!

Imagine the scene: between the 6th and 19th centuries, mega-storms (let’s call them “freak storms”) were the architects of the landscape. The sand, like a giant cork, began to block the watercourses that were flowing quietly towards the ocean. And that’s how the ponds of the Landes region came into being!

Lac d’Aureilhan is part of quite a family:

Etang de Cazaux-Sanguinet: the big brother to the north
Etang de Biscarrosse-Parentis: the middle brother
And our latest addition: the étang de Mimizan – Aureilhan, 340 hectares of pure bliss! The little extra that makes all the difference

Our lake is unique among our siblings: it’s the only one to have kept its “pass” to the ocean! Perched 12 metres above sea level, it sends its freshwater out for a dip in the Atlantic. Not bad, eh? A true 5-star hotel for biodiversity

It’s the ultimate luxury for :

VIP amphibians (our beloved frogs and toads)
Jet-set reptiles (sunbathing lizards and snakes)
A host ofprotected species that call our lake home

And we’re here to play the role of luxury concierge, looking after all these little creatures!

Booster: Next time you’re strolling along the lake, remember that you’re walking on thousands of years of natural history. Not bad for a Sunday digestive stroll!

When the Landes played Downton Abbey The Woolsack:

Ah, the Woolsack! Our little British château that turned heads in the Roaring Twenties. Built in 1911 by Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster and all-round champion of British landowners, it’s a replica of The Woolsack, summer residence of Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book. This neo-Tudor jewel, nestled in a 240-hectare park, hid its secrets well.

But the real buzz? Coco Chanel! From 1924 to 1930, she spent her summers here, transforming our moors into a haute-couture catwalk. Fun fact: it was here that she came up with the idea for her famous tweed suits, inspired by the Duke’s hunting outfits.

In fact, the Duke was the only wild boar hunting team in Mimizan. Even Winston Churchill hunted here. Just goes to show, our pine forests have seen a lot of people!

Our mini-Amazonia Fauna and Flora :

Natura 2000-labeled since 2004, our lake is home to more celebrities than Hollywood:

The discreet star: the European otter, playing hide-and-seek in the reeds
The model: the grey heron, always posing on one leg
The paparazzi: the kingfisher, flashing electric blue
Deluxe extras: egrets, European mink and an army of dragonflies
As for the vegetation, our water lilies perform their aquatic ballet, while marsh irises play diva at the water’s edge.

Action! Activities :

Our lake is like a natural amusement park, only better:

Water sports: kayaking, paddling, sailing… Everything you need to be a freshwater pirate.
Fishing: 28kg carp (true!), daring pike and playful pike-perch and black-bass.
Hiking around the lake: 13.5km of marked trails for Sunday adventurers.

Activities on and around the lake

Our green mission Ecology :

This is no joke:

RAMSAR protection for wetlands (it’s like the AOC label, but for marshes)
Conservation program for sensitive natural areas with several protection tools
Precise management of water levels and invasive species
Welcoming schoolchildren to train our future guardians of nature, and raising public awareness all year round.