Prés Salés West

Les Prés Salés, between marsh and wild steppe

Pssstt ! Rendezvous behind the Cabane à Pinpin in La Teste de Buch for the start of a great adventure! But first… do you know what the Prés Salés are?

A magnificent reserve south of the Bay of Arcachon

Also known as “schorre” (it’s Dutch), the salt marshes are a natural stretch of land by the sea, made up of accumulated mud, covered with vegetation and submerged only at high tide. Although it’s flat, it’s a hotbed of biodiversity!

Prés Salés: a varied landscape

Let’s go Put your phones away (except when taking photos). By disconnecting yourself from the outside world, a stroll around Les Prés Salés will take on a whole new flavour. And I promise, this mosaic of landscapes that change with the tides and the seasons will be all the rage on your Instagram when you return to civilisation. For now, take advantage…

At Les Prés Salés, get a taste for walking!

In the commune of La Teste de Buch, the Prés Salés Ouest site is a 42-hectare cove home to an incredible array of flora and fauna.

Awakening the senses

Shaped by the rhythm of the tides, the Prés Salés site is home to many wetland birds. It’s a great sight to see and hear (especially if you come armed with a good pair of binoculars)! All you have to do is look up to see a heron or an egret flying by. Down below, on the mudflats, you’ll be more likely to spot barnacles, white spoonbills or kingfishers. Perhaps even a cistude, a protected turtle. If you’re lucky enough to come across her, do as she did: take your time, enjoy it.

As for the flora, enlist the help of a guide to learn how to spot and taste the edible wild plants that make up the richness of the Prés Salés: samphire, mint, lemon balm… The Prés Salés is definitely much more than a leisurely stroll!

Gentle mobility, in the image of a time that is just as gentle

Next to the oyster-farming port of La Teste de Buch, this protected site awaits you and your bike (or your legs). Whatever the means of soft mobility chosen, every visitor comes here for one reason: a craving for nature!

Pack a picnic if you want to stop off for a bite to eat along the way. And don’t forget! There’s a place for everyone: your rubbish in your bag and wild plants in their natural habitat. Here, we don’t improvise picking; memories are in your head.

Environmental and landscaping developments by La Teste de Buch

For the record, the Prés Salés… weren’t always so! Dyked in the 1970s, the area was removed from the influence of the ocean, losing some of its richness. In 2007, La Teste de Buch finally obtained permission from the government to redevelop the site: one part – the Prés Salés Ouest – is now once again subject to the rhythm of the tides, while the other is dedicated to retaining fresh water.

You’ve got it… Visiting this magnificent area doesn’t cost much: you’ll only burn calories walking or cycling. Enjoy the ride!