Orx is a commune in the Landes department, in the New Aquitaine region, a few kilometers south-east of Capbreton.
Its territory of nearly 12 km² belongs to the vast natural region of the Landes de Gascogne, at the outlet of the Aquitaine basin on the Atlantic Ocean, covered with pine forests.
The locality itself is very green with its agricultural land (30% of its area), forests (28%) and arable land (25%). However, its history as its present are linked to the marsh that bears its name, to the west, north and south. It even forms a large part of a pond. From the 17th century, drainage work was undertaken. It is however under the Second Empire that the company succeeds. The estate was then acquired by Napoleon III. In the 20th century, private owners grew corn there. In June 1988, torrential rains nevertheless annihilated these centuries of labor and the marsh was reconstituted. Nowadays, it belongs to the Conservatoire du littoral and the marsh is classified as a "natural reserve".
Composed of four districts, the village where there are 650 inhabitants highlights its heritage and its living environment. However, it is obviously its unique environment that attracts visitors (hiking, ornithological observations).
In terms of heritage, in addition to the traditional dwellings and farms typical of the Landes, the Saint-Martin church is the jewel of the town. Romanesque in base (12th century), the building has a nave bordered by an aisle delimited by arcades whose columns are decorated with capitals depicting characters (15th century). The nave, again, is separated from the choir by an arch partly covered with a red ocher fresco (16th century). The columns on which rest the arcades of the choir are also equipped with carved capitals.
Finally, note that the entrance to the church is via a square bell tower-porch with an interior gallery (early 18th century). Itself protected as a historical monument, the building houses a number of items of furniture, religious objects and classified works of art: confessional, processional cross, monstrance, ciborium, stained glass windows, painting representing the Passion…
Next comes the natural heritage and the Orx marsh. 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide in the shape of a crescent, it also covers the neighboring towns of Labenne and Saint-André-de-Seignanx. Fed by various streams and canals, it has the Boudigau as an outlet, which flows into the Atlantic between Capbreton and Hossegor.
A dyke-like road crosses it, built in the 19th century. On the north, we thus distinguish a body of water and cultivated wetlands and to the south of the road, various marshes which were once wooded before being drowned again...
The nature reserve of the marsh covers 774 hectares, including 300 in the municipality of Orx alone.
Two buildings act as "gateways". The Béziers house on the one hand, built in the 19th century by the architect Lefevre-Béziers, employed under Napoleon III to drain the marsh. Nowadays, its vocation is to welcome visitors in search of practical or "scientific" information, to house a permanent exhibition and a shop. The Maison du Marais on the other hand, houses in what was a farm a place of reception for the public, the offices of the technicians and guards of the reserve but also an exhibition hall and a meeting room.
To visit the reserve, trails are marked out with "observatory" huts and palisades on which information panels are affixed. It is also possible to access the tower of the pumping station in order to admire the site from a height.
Note that the Marais Barrage circuit (6 km round trip) allows you to observe mallard or teal ducks, birds of prey (kites, harriers), wading birds, lizard turtles…
The ecosystem covered by the circuit du Marais Burret (about 6 km) is different but also rich in discoveries: herons and dragonflies have their habits there. On this route, on the other hand, in the absence of huts, you have to "hide" in the vegetation to admire the fauna and flora...
These circuits to be traveled freely are prohibited for dogs and two-wheelers...
Of course, guided tours in the company of guides are offered. Duration: 2h30. Price: 3.50 to 7.50 euros. Information on +33 5 59 45 42 46.
Note that the free routes are accessible all year round. On the other hand, the reception centers and exhibition halls are closed on Mondays from October to April.
Also in the town, to the north-east of the village, the Robert Dicharry space (labeled Tourism and Handicap) includes a body of water and walking paths. Fishermen are welcome because the pond is rich in pike, zander and perch. Information at the town hall on +33 5 58 77 91 04.
In addition to the potential offered by the nature reserve and the marshes, other hiking trails and secure loops dedicated to two-wheelers are possible, in particular to reach the resorts and beaches of the near coast or apprehend the charms of the Landes forest... Maps and information on +33 5 58 72 12 11.
