Which campsite to choose for a stay in Hourtin?
Camping de la Côte d'Argent
La Côte d'Argent campsite ***** located in Hourtin-Plage in the heart of a 20-hectare pine forest, just 300 metres from the Atlantic Ocean and 4 kilometres from Lac d'Hourtin. Open from May to September, La Côte d'Argent offers comfortable accommodation and spacious pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Its vast 9,000 m² pool area includes heated pools, waterslides, a counter-current river, a covered area, jacuzzi, paddling pools and a children's play area. A wide range of daytime and evening activities are organised for all ages, with children's and teenagers' clubs, sports, shows and festive evenings. In terms of services, the Côte d'Argent campsite has a restaurant, bar, snack bar, mini-market, wellness area and bike and equipment hire. An ideal setting for an active and rejuvenating holiday, between forest, lake and ocean.
Camping Western
Camping Yelloh! Village Western **** in Hourtin plunges you into the world of the great American outdoors with a unique atmosphere, typical accommodation (tipis, lodges, chalets) and an equestrian centre with a Far West feel. Open from April to September, the campsite has 300 pitches, including 117 rental accommodations and 183 spacious bare pitches (from 100 to 120 m²), suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes, with water and electricity connections. On site, holidaymakers can enjoy a heated pool area with indoor swimming pool, waterslides and paddling pool, children's clubs, cultural activities and, of course, plenty of horse-related activities. An ideal place for an original, relaxing family break, just a stone's throw from Lac d'Hourtin.
Campsite Les Ourmes
Les Ourmes campsite **** is located in Hourtin and is open from April to the end of September. It covers 7 hectares and offers 170 pitches (80 to 120 m²) and 105 rental accommodations (mobile homes, chalets, etc.). The campsite is accessible to people with reduced mobility and accepts pets on a lead. Facilities include a fully renovated 2025 aquatic area with a 250 m² heated outdoor swimming pool, a 150 m² indoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a padel court, a city stadium, a bowling green, a children's play area, a fitness room, table tennis tables, a snack bar, a restaurant, a pizzeria, a bread shop and a bike hire service. The campsite is close to Lac d'Hourtin (5 minutes by bike) and the Atlantic Ocean (10 km away), making it an ideal setting for outdoor and nature lovers.
Campsite L'orée du Bois
Camping l'Orée du Bois **** in Hourtin Open between April and the end of September, this campsite has 170 pitches (80 to 120 m²) and 105 rental accommodations suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Among the new features for 2025, the campsite is inaugurating a new play area comprising a children's playground, a multi-sports pitch and an inflatable structure, offering extra fun for families. Facilities also include a heated indoor swimming pool, a bowling green, a play area with inflatables, a games room with table football and billiards, volleyball courts, table tennis tables, a snack bar, a restaurant, a bread depot and a bike hire service. The campsite is 2.5 km from France's largest natural lake, Lac d'Hourtin, and close to the Atlantic Ocean, making it an ideal setting for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Cheaper camping in Hourtin
Camping Le Littoral ** in Hourtin is open from April to 17 September. The campsite offers 136 pitches on a 4-hectare wooded site, with marked-out, shaded pitches suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, mini-golf and a children's play area. Evening entertainment is organised in season, and a snack bar is available on site. The campsite is located 2 km from Lac d'Hourtin, offering an ideal setting for outdoor and nature lovers.
Here you will find all the campsites available in Hourtin
What to do in Hourtin
The ocean as far as the eye can see and the wild beaches of Hourtin
Located just over 10 kilometers from the town, Hourtin-Plage is a paradise for lovers of the Atlantic. Accessible by car or bike via a pine-lined cycle path, is a seaside resort attached to the commune of Hourtin, with a majestic beach stretching for more than 12 kilometres. Bordered by natural dunes and overlooking the immensity of the ocean, it offers a spectacular backdrop to the sound of the waves and the scent of sea spray.
The main beach is supervised in summer (lifeguard station active in July and August), making it particularly suitable for families with children. There is free parking, public showers and toilets near the esplanade. Shops, snack bars, restaurants and surf schools can also be found on site, including the Hourtin Surf Club, renowned for introducing young and old to the sport of surfing.
Water sports enthusiasts are not left out: surfing, bodyboarding, stand-up paddling or simply swimming are all possible, depending on the weather conditions. The spot is very popular with surfers for the quality and regularity of its waves, typical of the Aquitaine coast. For those who prefer a more leisurely stroll, the paths along the dune offer exceptional views of the ocean, especially at the end of the day.
Hourtin-Plage is also a good starting point for exploring the Hourtin dunes and marshes nature reserve, a protected area where you can observe the local wildlife and enjoy the tranquillity of this unspoilt natural setting.
Relaxation and leisure on the shores of Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, the largest natural lake in France
To the east of Hourtin lies a veritable inland sea: Lac d'Hourtin-Carcans, a freshwater jewel stretching over almost 6,000 hectares. This lake, the largest in France in terms of natural surface area, is a peaceful setting that complements the ocean perfectly. Less hectic, more accessible and safer, it's ideal for families and lovers of gentle water sports.
Where to swim in Lac d'Hourtin?
The Port d'Hourtin, to the north of the lake (towards Hourtin-port) is one of the focal points of summer life. With its marina, landscaped promenade, picnic areas and seasonal shops, it offers a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Children can play safely on the Blue Flag beach at Hourtin-port, while older children can try their hand at windsurfing, paddle boarding, canoeing or light sailing. Several sailing clubs offer equipment hire and supervised lessons throughout the season.
For a more leisurely swim, head for Piqueyrot beach, on the western shore of the lake, a haven of peace with the feel of a lagoon. Less busy than the harbour, its wild setting, shallow waters and shaded area are perfect for family picnics.
Nature lovers will also appreciate the footpaths that run alongside the lake, accessible on foot or by bike, in particular the cycle path that links the town of Hourtin to Maubuisson via the pine trees. Along the way, you'll come across converted oyster huts, protected wetlands and even a few observatories where you can admire birds and dragonflies.
How deep is Lac d'Hourtin?
Lac d'Hourtin, also known as Lac de Carcans-Hourtin, is the largest natural freshwater lake located entirely in France. It covers an area of 5,667 hectares, with a length of 18 km and a maximum width of 5 km. Its depth generally varies between 1 and 4 metres, with a maximum depth of 10.5 metres in some areas.
A forest between pines and marshes, a life-size adventure
There's more to Hourtin than its beaches and lake: the commune is also surrounded by one of the largest forested areas in Europe. Here, the Landes Forest of Gascogne covers thousands of hectares of maritime pines, oaks and wetlands, home to an astonishing biodiversity. This typical Médoc Atlantique landscape is a huge playground for all outdoor enthusiasts.
What to see and do around Hourtin?
The region is criss-crossed by miles of safe cycle paths (the Vélodyssée network and local trails), perfect for exploring the surrounding area gently. Whether you're looking for a family outing between the lake and the ocean, through the Landes Forest or a more sporty jaunt to neighbouring towns such as Carcans or Vendays-Montalivet, cycling here is an art of living. Bike hire is available in the centre of Hourtin (Hourtin-ville) and at Hourtin-Plage, with options for all ages (children's bikes, trailers, mountain bikes, etc.).
The forest paths in the middle of the Landes Forest are also great for walking, horse riding or even running. The wooden footbridges that cross the marshes provide access to protected wetlands, particularly in the national nature reserve of the dunes and marshes of Hourtin, a Natura 2000 site. Here you can observe rare flora, wild orchids, grey herons and cistude tortoises.
For families, a not-to-be-missed outing is the "Sentier de découverte de la lagune de Contaut" (Contaut lagoon discovery trail), a 1.5km loop accessible to all, laid out on stilts in the heart of the wetland, with educational panels on the local flora and fauna. You can also see the wooden chapel of Contaut, a small wooden religious building constructed in 1864. This fun and educational trail is sure to delight young and old alike.
In the evening, why not extend your nature day with a sunset walk in the glades, or a yoga session in the middle of the forest, organised by certain campsites or local service providers? Hourtin really does bring you back to basics.
A lively and authentic local life. What are the market days in Hourtin?
As well as its landscapes, Hourtin also has a warm, family atmosphere. All year round, and particularly in summer, the town comes alive around its traditional market, held several times a week in the central square. Local producers sell everything from Médoc oysters to home-made jams, not forgetting Bordeaux wines and Landes specialities. In season, the Hourtin market offers evening markets, open-air concerts, open-air cinemas and children's shows. A friendly atmosphere, ideal for enjoying the Médoc art of living, with its simplicity, terroir and authenticity.