Last weekend we escaped for a much-anticipated break at Center Parcs Les Landes de Gascogne, arriving around 4.30pm on Friday and staying until about 6pm on Monday to celebrate my 40th birthday. We stayed in a Comfort Cottage, and it was the perfect mix of nature, relaxation, and family fun.
Welcome to the Heart of Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Nestled in the lush forests of Beauziac, in the Landes de Gascogne, this is the newest Center Parcs in France and also the southernmost of all the French domains. Spread over 130 hectares of pine and fern-covered woodland, the setting feels peaceful, natural, and just right for a break from everyday life.
Our Comfort Cottage
Our Comfort Cottage provided us with a cosy yet functional home base. These cottages are designed for comfort, with fully equipped kitchens, comfortable bedrooms, modern bathrooms, and terraces overlooking the trees.
Ours had two bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with twin beds. The open-plan lounge, kitchen, and dining area made it ideal for socialising while cooking.
I know that many French holiday kitchens don’t include a full oven, but our cottage had a hob and a microwave oven, which worked really well. We managed to cook full meals, including a steak dinner and chicken curry.
To save money, instead of eating out, we went to Leclerc, which was only a 10-minute drive away. We bought a full weekend’s food shop for what we would have spent on one restaurant meal and drinks for four, which made a huge difference to the overall cost of the trip.
Aqua Mundo Swimming Centre
One of the biggest highlights of any Center Parcs stay is Aqua Mundo, the park’s tropical swimming centre. It’s included with your stay and is open for unlimited use throughout your break, even before arrival and after departure on your booked dates.
Inside, you’ll find:
- A wave pool / bubble pool
- A wild river
- A lazy river
- Two waterslides
- A dedicated children’s play pool with splash zones
There are loungers both indoors and outdoors, so whether you’re chasing thrills or relaxing by the water, there’s something for everyone. Little ones are especially well catered for, with life jackets for under-12s and cots around the pool.
We spent so much time in Aqua Mundo. Morgana loved going down the smaller slides in the children’s area, while Lucas loved the bigger slides and the wild river. The lazy river was perfect for all four of us to enjoy together.
It was also such a treat floating through the river into the outdoor pool, which was wonderfully warm, even though the temperature outside was very cold.
Activities Beyond the Pool
While we were there mainly to unwind, Les Landes de Gascogne offers a surprisingly wide range of activities for all ages. You can browse and book activities through the My Center Parcs app, either six weeks in advance or during your stay.
Some of the activities on offer include:
- Nature walks and bike rides through the pine forest
- Mini-golf, bowling, and tennis
- Spa and wellness experiences
- Children’s workshops and entertainment
- Sports and games suited to all fitness levels
Having everything on site means you can easily tailor your plans depending on how energetic (or relaxed) everyone feels.
Morgana loved the free play areas. We found two outdoor ones and one indoor play space. We booked bowling for my birthday evening, which was great fun. It cost €40 per hour to hire the lane exclusively.
Lucas and I also booked the family spa, which cost €14 each for an hour. We used the sauna, salt room, steam room, calm bath, and jacuzzi. There were also loungers to relax on, along with water, juice, and detox tea.
We attended the kids’ disco and story-time sessions, and Morgana had her face painted twice, all of which were free.
We also walked up to the farm, where we could see the animals and walk among the goats, which the children loved. Unfortunately, the birds were kept in their aviaries due to bird flu restrictions in the area.
Village Life & Dining
The central village area brings together a selection of restaurants, cafés, and shops. There’s also a small supermarket if you want to pick up essentials or picnic supplies.
We only ate out once, opting for hot dogs and chips for lunch. The rest of the time we ate in our cottage. I did attempt to order the Pad Thai advertised on the menu on our first evening, but was told that kitchen was closed at the time, even though it was within the opening hours.
Even so, I find that a mix of self-catered meals with the option to eat out makes a stay at Center Parcs feel both flexible and indulgent.
Nature & Neighbourhood
The park’s surroundings reflect the very best of the Sud-Ouest: tall maritime pines, quiet trails, and fresh air everywhere you go. It’s easy to spend time simply wandering the grounds or relaxing on your terrace with a book.
Photo Pass at Center Parcs: Is It Worth It?
I had looked into buying the Photo Pass before we arrived, as it was cheaper to purchase in advance (around €69), but I decided not to, as I wasn’t sure what it actually included. In hindsight, I’m really glad I didn’t buy it.
During our stay, the Photo Pass mainly covered photos taken on the waterslides, but the cameras on both the race slide and the crazy river weren’t working at the time. I only saw a professional photographer once during our stay, and that was in the pool area. It may be that there are more photographers around during the busier summer months.
We did get a photo taken on the Anaconda slide, and instead of buying the full pass, we chose individual photo products. We bought two keyrings and two fridge magnets, one photo of Lucas and Dan together on the slide and one of Lucas and me together. The total cost was €17, which I thought was excellent value and a lovely keepsake from the weekend.
A Weekend to Remember
Our stay at Center Parcs Les Landes de Gascogne was the perfect combination of natural surroundings, comfortable accommodation, and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re planning a weekend break, a birthday celebration (like we did!), or a longer stay, it’s a destination that offers plenty of ways to rest, play, and reconnect.
