The beaches 🏖

The central beach

The central beach is the best-known beach in Lacanau. Thanks to its many shops, it attracts most holidaymakers who want to enjoy the beach with an ice cream in hand. If you forgot a towel, or fancy a new pair of sunglasses, it's “the place to be”. You will also find plenty of nice little restaurants. The beach can be slightly small at high tide, but it remains pleasant. No worries for the children: the central beach is mostly supervised. Beware of the car parks though: during the summer season, all car parks are paid (see the rates on the town hall website).

The north beach

The north beach is much more appreciated by those looking for calm. Stretching all the way to Carcans, it has very large sand dunes, giving you much more room. You will have to walk from the car park to the sea, though.

💡

The town of Lacanau offers a car park pass for the north beach, “a day for €3”, perfect for a day at the beach!

The south beach

The south beach is our favourite: it offers a little more calm than the central beach (more space). People are less concentrated, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lacanau. There are slightly fewer shops, but you can easily walk to the central beach. Unlike the central beach, in the streets a little further away you will find free parking spaces, handy for enjoying the ocean all day.

💡

Little tip: we used to park on rue Pierre de Coubertin. It is at the edge of the paid spaces, only a 5-minute walk from the south beach. With a bit of luck you will find a space nearby!

The lakes ⛵️

Lake Moutchic

The Moutchic beach, on the shore of Lake Lacanau, is a very popular family spot for its calm, shallow water, ideal for children. It has everything you need for the day: picnic area, playground, showers, toilets, and several restaurants, snack bars and ice cream parlours right opposite. Water sports fans can try paddle-boarding, canoeing or pedal boats. It is easy to reach by bike thanks to the cycle paths, and there is a free car park, but it fills up quickly in summer, so it is better to arrive early or avoid the car.

💡

The little bonus: enjoy a pizza from Pizza Pise, the pizzeria opposite the lake, while watching the sunset

Lake Carcans

An alternative to Lake Moutchic, it is also a calm place and much bigger. Many activities are on offer too.

The shops 🏬

Lacanau market

Held every Wednesday morning, it offers a wide variety of fresh produce. You will also find regional specialities, such as the famous Bordeaux cannelés. (Nothing beats the cannelés from La Toque Cuivrée!)

The supermarket

The town of Lacanau has only one large supermarket. It is a U store, at the entrance of Lacanau Ville, only 5 minutes from La Casa de Lacanau. There are also two small convenience stores right in Lacanau Océan (U and Carrefour City).

The small shops

If you want to shop during your beach day, head to the central beach alley of Lacanau. It brings together lots of varied small shops, so that everyone finds something they like.

Snacks by the beach 🥞

Bela Vista

Fancy a crêpe or a waffle by the beach? Try the Bela Vista bar-brasserie. Located on the central alley, it serves snacks as well as more substantial dishes, at a reasonable value for money.

📍Address: 6 Allée Pierre Ortal, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: € - €€
📞 Phone: 06 62 52 42 90

Pinocchio

Need a refreshing ice cream by the beach? Head to Pinocchio! It is THE best ice cream parlour in Lacanau: you will find many different flavours, all with an unbeatable quality/quantity/price ratio. A must-visit address in Lacanau!

📍Address: 20 Allée Pierre Ortal, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: €

The Beach House

The Beach House is the trendy spot on the seafront: you can enjoy delicious cocktails with your feet in the water. The atmosphere is relaxed and the modern decoration blends perfectly into the surroundings. Perfect after a hot afternoon.

📍Address: 9 Boulevard de la Plage, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: €€
📞 Phone: 05 56 03 70 98

Restaurants 🍽

Quick bites 🍕

Ave Giulia

You are on the beach in Lacanau Océan and fancy a delicious pizza? Head to Ave Giulia: it is THE pizzeria of Lacanau. You will find a restaurant where you can eat their delicious pizzas on the spot. But that's not all: opposite there is a small hut, also belonging to the restaurant, selling pizzas to take away! Perfect for a pizza evening on the beach for two!

📍Address: 12 Rue du Lieutenant Princeteau, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: €€
📞 Phone: 06 59 84 85 63

Fonky Shelter

At the very beginning of the central alley, you will find the Fonky Shelter: a wide variety of burgers. A charming little terrace makes the place very warm and cosy. There are also tapas and salads to suit all tastes.

📍Address: Place du Général de Gaulle, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: € - €€
📞 Phone: 09 53 20 78 32

Le Cl3m

Fancy a burger near the ocean? Head to Le Cl3m! You can enjoy generous, tasty burgers for around €10. There are also wraps, if you want to eat them in front of the sea.

📍Address: 1 Pass. Emile Lacaze, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: € - €€
📞 Phone: 06 35 53 47 92

A full meal 🍝

La Cabane

La Cabane is the restaurant for an excellent dinner. Indoors or outdoors, you will find fresh, quality food. The welcome is warm and the decoration is very nice.

📍Address: 19 Av. du Général Leclerc, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: €€ - €€€
📞 Phone: 05 56 03 19 15

Le Café Maritime

Le Café Maritime is an emblem of Lacanau Océan. It has been there for several years, and you will find comfort in a warm and welcoming place. The food is refined and tasty, even if the bill can be a little high.

📍Address: 9-11 Boulevard de la Plage, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: €€ - €€€
📞 Phone: 05 56 03 70 98

La Bicyclette Jaune

This restaurant will win you over if you like seafood. Located only 5 minutes from the house, it serves fresh food (the mussels are delicious) in a magnificent setting: its terrace overlooks Lake Lacanau, perfect for admiring the sunset.

📍Address: 98 Avenue du Lac, 33680 Lacanau
💵 Price: €€
📞 Phone: 05 56 26 77 89

Do you have other suggestions to complete this guide? Feel free to send them to us!