What should you do during a heatwave ?

Before 10 o’clock, the sand hasn’t warmed up yet

Before 10 am, the light is still subdued and the sand hasn’t warmed up yet. This is the time when you can cycle effortlessly along the shaded cycle paths, and when the water – whether fresh or salt – is at its most pleasant of the day. A break in the shade and making sure you stay well hydrated are all you need to keep going until the midday lull.

In Lacanau, both the lake and the sea are ideal for a morning swim. The shaded cycle paths linking the lake to the beaches along the coast – part of the Vélodyssée route – allow you to reach the water without being exposed to the sun for too long, in the shade of the pine trees almost right up to the sand.

In Carcans-Maubuisson, the early hours of the day are also ideal for water sports. Stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing and surfing are all great ways to enjoy the lake and the ocean before the heat of the day sets in. Introductory sessions and lessons are offered by surf clubs and schools for both children and adults.

In Hourtin, the lake and the sea both offer the same refreshing morning coolness. The beaches remain a sure-fire way to start the day before the heat sets in, and Lake Hourtin-Carcans retains that same tranquillity well into the autumn.

In Naujac-sur-Mer, the ocean and its Pin Sec beach round off this morning’s overview, for those who prefer the salty sea air to lake water, on a coastline that is more secluded than its neighbours at the Pointe du Médoc, away from the hustle and bustle of the height of summer, with a pine forest that stretches almost down to the sand and a beach that remains peaceful even in peak season.

Around La Pointe, the sea at Le Gurp in Grayan-et-l’Hôpital, near Soulac-sur-Mer or at Verdon-sur-Mer follows the same principle: a dip before the sand gets too hot. In Soulac-sur-Mer, a few shaded spots round off the itinerary, and the covered market opens early in the day before the heat sets in.

Baïnes – Caution : danger

At the seaside, caution is still advised. Rip currents are return currents that form between sandbanks. They are not invisible, but it takes a trained eye to spot them from the beach. Swim ONLY in designated swimming areas and during lifeguard hours, whatever the sea conditions. A yellow flag does not mean there is no danger. Check with the lifeguards as soon as you arrive.

Between 1 pm and 5 pm, time to cool off

Between around 1 pm and 5 pm, the heat is at its peak and being outdoors becomes less comfortable. The area offers plenty of cool places to escape to, whether indoors or in the shade, to see you through until the evening – with a mix of heritage sites, leisure activities, boat trips and wellness breaks – without ever straying far from the water.

Patrimoine et culture

The destination’s museums and heritage sites offer a refreshing break from local history or historic buildings. For example, in Carcans, the Salon des métiers d’art also gives visitors the chance to discover, out of the sun, the creations of around twenty professional craftspeople working with leather, wood, fabric, pottery and jewellery (admission is free). Cinemas take over in the late afternoon with a varied programme.

Indoor games and leisure activities

A cool maze, virtual reality games or indoor adventure trails: there are plenty of fun activities in the area that can be enjoyed out of the direct sun, for young and old alike.

Boat trips and outings on the water

Whether at sea, on the estuary or on the lakes, a boat trip changes the way you experience the heat: the offshore breeze, the sea spray, the silhouette of a lighthouse in the distance. It’s also a different way of exploring the area, at a slower pace.

Relaxation and wellbeing

A spa, a massage or some time to relax indoors: there are several places in the area where you can enjoy a proper break to recharge your batteries during the hottest part of the day.

Crafts

Across the destination, numerous partners offer creative and craft-based indoor activities. It’s a chance to let your creativity run wild whilst staying cool.

In the forest, we must remain vigilant at all times

The state-owned forest remains a source of cool respite on hot days, but heatwaves also increase the risk of forest fires. Caution is advised whenever you venture into the forest, whether on foot or by bike, on the footpaths or the shaded cycle paths that wind through the pine forest, even when the desire for a cool break tempts you to linger there.

During an orange or red forest fire alert, restrictions on access to woodland and cycle paths may be imposed by prefectural order. Please check with your local council, the Tourist Office or the prefecture’s website before setting off.

Practical information

– No cigarette ends or open flames, in any area.
– Access restrictions may apply during periods of heightened alert; please check before setting off (town hall, Tourist Office, the Prefecture’s website).

As the day draws to a close, the cool air returns

By late afternoon, the heat subsides and the beaches become less crowded. This is also the time when the sea, the markets and the entertainment take centre stage to round off the day, at a more leisurely pace than in the middle of the day, as the light begins to fade and the air becomes breathable again.

Boat trips

On Lacanau Lake, a boat trip takes you along the wooded shores, where you can feel the heat subsiding as the sun goes down. From the harbour at Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, you can go kayaking in the same cooler conditions, paddling gently up the estuary.

Night markets

In the evening, the night markets take over from the beaches: brightly lit stalls, local specialities to share, and that end-of-day atmosphere in the open air. In July and August, two events punctuate the week in Soulac-sur-Mer: the Soulac-sur-Mer Night Market, also known as the Marché des Saveurs, on Saturdays at Place de la Basilique, and the Marché Nocturne de l’Amélie on Tuesday evenings. Both start at 6 pm. There are many other night markets to explore in the region: Queyrac, Hourtin, Vensac, Talais… Find all the night markets in the Médoc Atlantique on the dedicated page.

Evening entertainment

To make the evening last a little longer and enjoy the cool of the evening, there are several options available to you. Why not take a stroll around the destination’s bars? Some of the seafront bars are the perfect spot to watch the sunset. After a drink, head to one of the destination’s restaurants before rounding off the evening on a sweet note. And for that, the Salon de la Glace is the ideal place to extend the evening with 100% homemade ice cream. Not far away, in Carcans-Ville, the café-theatre offers another option for spending the evening indoors, with comedies and one-man shows performed in a warm and friendly venue. Another option in summer, from mid-June to mid-September, is the ‘Afterbeach’ events. These are organised by Médoc Atlantique Tourisme in partnership with the Médoc Plein Sud Tourist Office: several châteaux are ready to welcome you, in Valeyrac and Queyrac within the destination, but also further afield, including Château Loudenne on the Île de Patiras and in Listrac.