Étang de Léon, Freshwater lake in Léon, France
Étang de Léon is a freshwater lake covering about 340 hectares in the Landes region, surrounded by forests on all sides. The water connects to the Atlantic Ocean through a channel called Courant d'Huchet.
The lake formed naturally during the Middle Ages when coastal sand dunes piled up to create a water barrier. This transformation shaped the landscape of southwestern France in ways that remain visible today.
Local fishermen work the water using traditional flat-bottomed boats called galupes that have been part of daily life here for centuries. The way people move across the lake reflects deep knowledge of its currents and seasons.
Supervised swimming areas open from July to August with parking and picnic facilities nearby. Walking paths with smooth surfaces make it easy for people with limited mobility to move around.
The lake protects a network of peat bogs and marshlands designated as a Natura 2000 site for conservation. Visitors may spot pond turtles and numerous bird species that depend on these wetlands.
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