The Huchet stream and its astonishing "Amazonian forest"

Situated between Lake Léon and the beach at Moliets in the Landes, 12 km from the campsite, the Courant d'Huchet is a site classified as one of the most impressive natural monuments in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. A meeting with a preserved and plural nature on the borders of theLandes Amazon.

A green interlude, out of time and far from everything

Popularised in 1908 by the Italian writer and poet Gabriele d'Annunzio, this 12-kilometre long coastal river flows peacefully through the communes of Léon, Vielle-Saint-Girons and Moliets-et-Maa before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean at Moliets. On foot or by boat, you can enjoy the peace and quiet.

Visit the reserve on foot

The Huchet stream rises in Lake Léon and flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Moliets. Between the two, the nature reserve extends over nearly 628 hectares of unspoilt nature preserved from the hand of man. Over 15 km, numerous signposted paths venture into the undergrowth of the reserve, along the coastal dune, through the marshes and peat bogs. A real treat for hikers!
From April to September, guided tours and nature outings are organised. From the Pichelèbe bridge, several paths are available to you. You can choose to go to the Nasse dam, Huchet Plage or the Pipe marsh and its observatory to discover the fauna without disturbing it.

Let yourself be led by boat on the Huchet current

For campers in search of wilderness and inspiration, taking a boat is by far the best way to explore the Huchet stream amidst the exuberant vegetation. Go to the landing stage at the Etang de Léon where the boatmen are waiting for you for an exotic 10 km trip to the ocean! From April to October, they offer galupe excursions on this wild and mysterious river, along the gallery forest, this astonishing plant canopy that forms a dome above the water. In total immersion in a luxuriant nature, your guide will tell you the history of this Landes Amazonia with a lot of local anecdotes and comments on the flora, fauna and the singular geology of the place.

Observe a unique flora and fauna

Take advantage of your camping holiday near Léon to explore a unique ecological and landscape heritage that exists only in the Landes and nowhere else, a spectacular site where the visitor is constantly amazed by the riches of nature.
The Huchet stream has a rich and abundant fauna and flora. You can see Little Bitterns (the smallest of the European herons), Bitterns, Marsh Warblers, Kingfishers, Marsh Harriers, but also European minks, otters, cistude turtles, green frogs... The nature reserve is also home to dozens of different species of dragonflies. As for the flora, rare and protected species such as the woolly hawkweed, the Bayonne astragalus or the thyme-leaved toadflax can be admired, as well as other more common species such as the bald cypress, the royal osmund and the marsh iris.