Change your life and your era at the Écomusée de Marquèze in Sabres

Discover the traditional way of life of a society of shepherd-farmers in the Landes de Gascogne at the end of the 19th century. A visit to be made with the family to escape and go back in time!

Take advantage of your camping holiday in the south of the Landes to visit the Marquèze ecomuseum, one of the largest open-air museums in France! In the heart of the forest, on a 25-hectare airial, discover the traditional way of life of a society of shepherd-farmers in the Landes de Gascogne at the end of the 19th century. A visit for the whole family to escape and go back in time!

One of the very first ecomuseums in France

Created in 1969 by the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, the Marquèze ecomuseum is one of the very first ecomuseums in France. 150 years ago, around this 25-hectare Landes airial, families of farmers and stockbreeders lived in self-sufficiency, before the massive planting of pine trees replaced the moor and led to the privatisation of the land.

The farm and residential buildings, the breeds of domestic animals, the cereals, were preserved or reconstituted in order to present the district as it was in the 19th century and to restore the way of life of the inhabitants of the Grande Lande around 1890.

A journey by historic train

The only way to get to the Marquèze Ecomuseum is by train. This period train, with its wagons listed as historical monuments, leaves from Sabres and crosses the Gascon forest peacefully to reach the Marquèze district, four kilometres further on. A short journey which immediately plunges us into the atmosphere of the past! The journey takes ten minutes, with a departure every forty minutes.

The Marquèze district in family

The airial, the field, the gemmy forest, the river, the gallery forest... to help you find your way around this large open-air museum, a small guide is available free of charge at the reception of the ecomuseum. You can also opt for the guided tour (free of charge) which takes you round the houses with their awnings, the mill and the bread oven, the tenant farms, the sheepfold, the barns... The site houses about thirty buildings.

In season, the Marquèze Ecomuseum also offers numerous daily activities. Visitors can attend demonstrations of old trades and discover forgotten skills. Throughout the day, the shepherd, the miller and the weaver bring back to life the habits and customs of another time. You will discover the making of pastis in a wood-fired oven, the secrets of herbal medicine, the making of butter or soaps, the Gascon and fairground games around the estanquet... For some, there will be nostalgia in the air!

For the children, treasure hunts, creative workshops, stilt-walking, animal encounters and other fun activities will make this an unforgettable day for the whole family.

Visit the Pavilion's exhibitions

Before taking the train or on your return, linger at the Pavillon de Marquèze, opposite the Sabres train station. The museographic space presents some of the 30,000 objects that make up the collections of the ecomuseum (furniture, tools, traditional accessories, kitchen utensils, clothing, photographs, archives, etc.). At the same time, the museum organises temporary exhibitions that diversify the themes related to the ecomuseum and the history of the Landes.

PRACTICES

• Address: Route de Solferino, 40630 Sabres (1 hour from the campsite ***** Le Vieux Port)
• Open: from the end of March to the beginning of November
• Rates: visit resasol.com for special rates.