The Landes on a grand scale: the Huchet current nature reserve

Aboard a galupe pushed by a boatman, accompanied by a naturalist guide or equipped with a topographical guide, set off to discover the Huchet Current nature reserve, one of the most beautiful jewels on the Aquitaine coast. Its lush gallery forest, nicknamed the "Amazon of the Landes", and its crossing of the dunes make it absolutely unique in France.

Where is the Huchet current?

Make the most of your stay on the Côte d'Argent to take a trip to the Currents d'Huchet. Situated in the heart of the Landes region, between Lake Léon and the beach at Moliets, 20 minutes from the 5-star Lou Pignada campsite (15 km), the courants d'Huchet reserve is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. From the Etang de Léon, this small coastal river flows for 6 km before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean just off the beach at Moliets. Classified as a national nature reserve in 1981, the Huchet current is a protected site that stretches across the communes of Moliets, Vielle St Girons and Léon.

An incredibly rich green paradise

Covering an area of 600 hectares, the courants d'Huchet reserve is an incredible habitat for flora and fauna, offering one of the richest and most diverse biotopes in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. There are over 300 animal species and around twenty protected plant species. A large number of breeding and migratory birds inhabit or regularly pass through this protected area. Birdwatchers frequently observe the Common Pipit, the Booted Eagle, the Purple Heron and the Little Bittern, an extremely rare species in Europe. There are also a large number of small mammals and aquatic animals such as mink, otters, the cistude tortoise and the ocellated lizard. There are also roe deer, wild boar, foxes and red squirrels. Ready to dive into the "Big Green"?

Nicknamed the "Landes Amazon".

Discovered in 1908 by the Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, the Huchet stream was listed in 1934 as a "natural monument and site of an artistic, historical, scientific, legendary or picturesque nature". Today, the Réserve du courant d'Huchet is the last group of ponds and streams in Aquitaine to have preserved its natural character. As a result, it is under strict protection. To preserve the environment, bicycles and dogs are not allowed in the reserve, and only boatmen, the only people authorised to navigate the river, are allowed to go downstream.

Descending the Huchet stream with a boatman

A 10km trip to the ocean! From spring to autumn, the boatmen of Léon will take you on a tour of the Huchet stream aboard a galupe, a traditional flat-bottomed boat used in times gone by to transport goods. During the two-hour trip, you'll glide silently along the waters of the river, amid landscapes of rare and unusual beauty. Starting out in the open, along the floating marsh, you quickly move into the gallery forest, a canopy of vegetation formed by the tall trees above the water. The wooded banks of willow, alder, oak and tree fern are reminiscent of the bayous of Louisiana and the mangroves of the Amazon rainforest. Along the way, the boatman will tell you all about the astonishing life of the river, its history, its extraordinary flora and fauna, and its intimate link with mankind.
- Departure from the Etang de Léon pier: www.bateliers-courant-huchet.fr

Walks and hikes

The Courant d'Huchet nature reserve can also be explored on foot. Several signposted footpaths take hikers through the forested part of the reserve. The trails start from the Pichelèbe car park near Lac de Léon. A loop links the Pichelèbe bridge to the Nasse dam, on either side of the Huchet stream. From the Pichelèbe bridge, a path leads to the Pipe marsh and its bird observatory, then to the mouth of the Huchet current, as far as Moliets beach. A hiking guide is available from the tourist office.

• Information: Maison de la réserve, 374 rue des berges du lac, 40550 Léon
• Chalet d'accueil (June to September): Pichelèbe, D328, 40660 Moliets et Maa
• Guided tours with a reserve warden: Monday to Friday, starting from the Pichelèbe bridge. Further information: www.reservenaturelle-couranthuchet.org