Capbreton

The origins of Capbreton

Located at the mouth of the Boudigau river, Capbreton is one of the oldest towns on the Landes coastline. Its history has been closely tied to fishing and maritime trade since the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, it was even a home port for cod fishing off Newfoundland. The town owes its geological uniqueness to the Gouf, a spectacular underwater canyon that begins just a few hundred metres from the shore and plunges to more than 3,000 metres deep, making Capbreton the only deep-water port on the Landes coast. Today, the commune has close to 9,500 permanent residents.

Capbreton's must-sees

The Estacade, a long wooden pier built on the orders of Napoleon III in 1858 to protect the harbour entrance, remains the town's emblematic symbol. The marina, one of the busiest on the Atlantic coast, has around 1,000 berths. The fish market, open every morning, is a local institution where fishermen sell their catch directly to the public. The Casino, the seafront promenade, the lively central market halls and the shopping district are among the major points of interest. As for beaches, Capbreton has five supervised beaches in season (Notre-Dame, Centrale, Prévent, Santocha, La Piste).

Living in Capbreton

Unlike its more seasonal neighbours, Capbreton is fully alive all year round thanks to its commercial vitality and active port. The pace here is more urban, with real local life that extends well beyond summer. Fishing and seafood enthusiasts will find their happiness here, surfers enjoy the waves at the Le Prévent spot, and families benefit from a reassuring setting between ocean, port and a human-scale town centre. Direct access to the A63 motorway and proximity to Bayonne (25 minutes away) further boost Capbreton's residential appeal, particularly popular with working couples and young retirees.