Serving as the capital of the Landes department, Mont-de-Marsan is a medieval city that lies at the junction of the Douze and Andou rivers. It was established as a walled town in the 12th century and is dotted with historic stone warehouses, riverfront quays and fortified houses.
Things to do in Mont-de-Marsan
In the heart of Mont-de-Marsan is the Donjon Lacataye, a 14th-century tower that was constructed by order of Gaston Phebus. It comprises two Romanesque houses that were once occupied by the Viscount’s family and later became barracks. It houses France’s only museum dedicated to modern figurative sculpture, the Musée Despiau-Wlérick, which is named after Charles Despiau and Robert Wlérick, whose works are exhibited here.
To the north of the Donjon Lacataye is Parc Jean Rameau, which is named after a local poet. Aside from its gardens dedicated to hydrangeas and ferns, it also features a tranquil Japanese garden and a historic iron footbridge spanning the River Twelve. If you’re travelling with kids, don’t miss a visit to Parc Animalier de Nahuques where they can get up close to Corsican mouflon sheep, dwarf goats and donkeys.
Housed within a former guardhouse of the Bosquet Barracks is the Musée du 34e Régiment d’Infanterie, which is packed with military artefacts and regalia. Learn about some of the regiment’s most prominent members while browsing the insignias, flags and uniforms on display, together with black and white photographs showing unique training manoeuvres.
Getting around Mont-de-Marsan
Mont-de-Marsan is a 1.5-hour drive from Biarritz and Biarritz Pays Basque Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from towns and cities across the Landes department to the Mont-de-Marsan railway station while the centre of Mont-de-Marsan is compact enough to explore on foot.