Leyre River and Arcachon Bay, rich environments to preserve

Some of the species present in our territory

Deer

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the deer

Little egret

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the Little egret

European pond terrapin

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the European pond terrapin

Royal fern

Flora on Arcachon Bay: the Royal fern

Iris

Flora on Arcachon Bay: the iris

Western yellow wagtail

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the Western yellow wagtail

Genet

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the genet

Coypu

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the coypu

Otter

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the otter

Male Calopteryx

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the Male Calopteryx

Female Calopteryx

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the female Calopteryx

Sow and its piglets

Wildlife on Arcachon Bay: the Sow and its piglets

Leyre Valley & Regional Natural Park of the Landes of Gascony

Leyre river bank
Canoe on the Leyre river
2-seater canoe on the Leyre river

Formerly bordered by meadows where cows and sheep grazed, Leyre saw its status evolved on October 16, 1970, with the creation of the Regional Natural Park of the Landes of Gascony (PNRLG). . Learn more about the environment . The park comprises 51 municipalities (336,052 ha.) Once protected by its charter, in just a few years, its forest get back its wild state and today it is named “ Little Amazon ”. Hardwood bend over the watercourse… This arch, called "gallery forest", let's run under it a red iron-rich water. For this reason, many foundries were installed on the riverside. The Big Leyre and the Little Leyre, resurgence of groundwater, join together to travel the 100km that separates it from Arcachon Bassin, crossing through the entire PNRLG. This river is classified " Nautical Hiking Route " since 2017, and is navigable from its source to the Basin, 5 to 6 days of sailing [Document PDF - 677 KB]. For lovers of walking, its banks are bordered by the way of "Saint-Jacques de Compostelle", and by looking thoroughly , you will find ancient sources with "miraculous virtues".

Leyre Delta & Ornithological Reserve site classified “Natura 2000”

2-seater canoe
Stork
Cormorants
Landscape

After its flow into the woods, Leyre is divided into a multitude of branches before the Arcachon Basin, which is forming the Delta of Leyre. A must-see site for birds observation, the Leyre Delta, is located on one of the major migratory passages, next to the Ornithological Reserve of Teich and the "Domaine de Certes" in Audenge. Thousands of birds, more than three hundred species, who come to shelter each year on these Plains of Reeds. The biological diversity of the delta also derives from variations in salinity of its waters, depending on whether one is upstream or downstream. Indeed, the freshwater of the river becomes brackish water and then salty water close to the Arcachon Basin. Navigable only at high tide , the Leyre Delta is one of the Basin wildest place. Visit of ancient oysters ports : "port des Tuiles" "port de Biganos", bird watching, discovery of marshes... Here, the time runs at a different rhythm!

The Island of Birds ("L’île aux oiseaux")... of earth and water! Classified Natural Site (2008)

Canoes on the island of Birds
Boat in an oyster farm
The Island of Birds (île aux oiseaux)

A small piece of land in the middle of the basin, paradise of limicole hunters in autumn and a haven of peace for migratory birds... L'île aux oiseaux is an appropriate name. Depending on the season, it is the sandpiper, the geese, the curlew or the teal that stop over. The island moves from 5 km of circumference to the high tide to 16 km during low tide. There are fewer small villages and 53 wood huts, included the famous "cabanes tchanquées" which became on of the basin emblem. "L'île aux oiseaux" was used before for cows and horses. The Island is now classified as Natural Reserve, forbidden to access, except for human propulsion boats, the opportunity for us to move away from the crowd to observe with an another eye, all silently… and if we are lucky, depending on the season, we’ll have the show of geese flight.

Environment: "Le Banc d'Arguin" - National Natural Reserve (1972)

Canoes in fron the Pyla Dune
Haematopus Ostralegus
Oyster farms at the banc d'Arguin

For thousands of years, Leyre has been draining tons and tons of sand in the Arcachon Basin from the Landais plateau. Located in passes of the Bassin, between the Dune du Pilat and Cap Ferret, the Banc d'Arguin is a sand islet covered with herbs. It is a famous breeding place of Cogec tern (over 4000 couples per year), and more than 30000 shorebirds species. In constant movement due to the phenomenon of tide, it keeps moving and changing its shape. Its southern part, protected from the swell, shelters oysters farms and offers an unbeatable view of the Pilate Dune. Thanks to the constant renewal of sea water from the ocean, the Banc d'Arguin is one of the sediment richest sites. Here, shellfish grow like nowhere else...

A rich environment to protect...

Oyster farms in front of the Pyla Dune
Seagull
Sites classification:
  • The Leyre river: Gascony Landes Natural Park (1970).
  • Leyre Delta: Site Natura 2000 (2011).
  • Arcachon Bay: Marine Natural Park (2014).
  • Island of birds ("Lîle aux Oiseaux"): Classified Natural Site (2008).
  • Le Banc d’Arguin: Banc d’Arguin National natural reserve (1972).

Our courses allow you to admire at best this ecosystem, and it is therefore important to participate in the protection of the flora and fauna of this site.

Our instructors, licensed by the French Canoe -Kayak holiday, are all passionate and “ nature lovers ”. Nativeborn, they will make you discover the secrets of these sensitive zones to a condition, make good use of it...

Text: Nathaniel Le Merdy
Sources: Wikipédia, pinasse photo by Franck Perrogon