Hotels in Labenne

Labenne: Atlantic Landes at the Edge of the Dunes

Labenne is a small commune in the Landes department of southwestern France, situated on the Atlantic coast roughly 15 km north of Bayonne and 20 km south of Hossegor. The town sits between the Landes Forest — the largest maritime pine forest in Western Europe at 1 million hectares — and a broad sandy beach backed by dunes that stretch uninterrupted for kilometres. The Labenne-Océan beach sector draws surfers and families from late June through August, when Atlantic swells reach the shore consistently. A designated naturist area occupies the northern end of the beach, one of the oldest such sites on the Basque-Landes coast.

Getting Around

The A63 motorway passes east of town, connecting Labenne to Bayonne in under 20 minutes and to Bordeaux in roughly 90 minutes. The nearest TGV station is Bayonne, with direct services to Paris Montparnasse in around 4 hours 30 minutes. Local cycling paths link Labenne-Océan to Ondres and Capbreton along the coast.

Practical Tips

• Surf conditions: Atlantic swells peak September–October; beginners should use the calmer southern beach sections.
• Crowds: July and August see maximum occupancy — book accommodation several weeks ahead.
• Forest access: The Landes pine forest offers marked walking and mountain-bike trails accessible from the town's eastern edge.