All about the history of Biscarrosse

Located in the southwest of Francein the Landes department, in the Nouvelle AquitaineBiscarrosse is a commune of over fourteen thousand inhabitants. Since the Middle Ages, the town has been tinged with royal protection and an industrial history that has made it a renowned tourist and commercial center. A look back at the history of Biscarrosse, from its origins as the capital of lakes and hydra-aviation.

Biscarrosse in the Middle Ages

On July 2, 1277, Regnault Thibaut, son of the King of England, issued the first legal document attesting to the privileges of the inhabitants of Biscarrosse. This charter was drawn up to put an end to an existing dispute with Sire de Pommiers, the neighboring lord. Biscarrosse, a simple village of resin growers, was known for its modest 12th-century château.

Renovated into a Renaissanceit has seen the passing of many lords, whose names adorn some of the street signs. From 1486 to 1676, the privileges granted to the inhabitants were maintained by French monarchs, including Louis XIV. Biscarrosse’s economic activity remains essentially based on cutting pine trees in the Landes forest, as well as fishing and livestock farming.

An industrial and tourist shift in the 20th century

It was in 1930 that everything changed for Biscarrosse, thanks to the development of aviation. The year was 1929, Pierre-Georges Latécoère. Pierre-Georges Latécoère, an industrialist from Toulouse, obtained land on the shores of Lake Biscarrosse from the local council to set up seaplane assembly workshops. Today, Biscarrosse is a mythical site for hydraviation.

The first flight took place on August 24, 1930, opening a rich industrial epic in the field of aviation. Like Saint Exupéryother heroes of aeropostale flew here on numerous occasions. Right on schedule, Air France opens a number of passenger routes from Biscarrosse to New York or Rio Rio.

In 1962, the population grew with the installation of the Landes test center, now the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), for missile testing. Military families move into the village to keep up with activities at the center dedicated to ballistic missile testing.

Today, tourism takes its place

Today, the center’s activities continue, with marine trials on the lake commonly known as Lac Latécoère. Today, this rich historical and industrial heritage makes Biscarrosse a town whose economic activity is driven by summer seaside tourism and commerce.

Today, this commune in the Landes département is famous for its town and lakes (Lac de Biscarrosse-Parentis and Lac de Sanguinet). It is also known for its seascape, with beaches (Navarrosse and Mimizan beaches), dunes, pine trees… Finally, it is a place with a rich historical heritage, where two museums have been built (the Museum of Traditions and the Seaplane Museum).

The dunes of the Arcachon Basin could also be the place to be for your vacation. The best-known dune in the Arcachon basin is the Dune du Pilat, the highest in Europe.

Now you know the basics about the Etang de Biscarrosse (Lac de Parentis) and the Etang de Cazaux-Sanguinet, as well as Biscarrosse’s historic past. Don’t hesitate to take a trip there for an eventful vacation.

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