A family resort on the Atlantic coast, both fun and sporty, Soulac-sur-Mer enchants sunbathers, Belle Époque architecture lovers and water sports enthusiasts alike. Its pleasant waterfront, numerous 19th-century villas, seven kilometres of sandy beaches, shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as the many on-site activities such as surfing, sand yachting, swimming, horseback riding, yoga, cycling, tennis and pétanque are some of the attractions that make this place a destination of choice.
Buried by the sand several times during its history, the Basilica of Our Lady of the End of the Earth (Notre-Dame-de-la-Fin-des-Terres), today listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as part of the Ways of St. James, is a great example of 12th-century Romanesque art!
Every year in early June, Soulac-sur-Mer recreates the early days of sea bathing for a weekend, at the Soulac 1900 festival. This includes an old-style market, shows and activities on the beach and in the streets of the resort, all in a fancy-dress atmosphere!
Located on the Atlantic coast, the small town of Soulac-sur-Mer sees its population strongly increase in summer time. Despite this, it remains very welcoming and offers visitors and holidaymakers many possible activities. Between the pleasures of the sea, the air, the discovery of cultural heritage, walks and idleness, you will enjoy with pleasure this very pleasant region.
Soulac-sur-Mer is a survivor of the past. Engulfed under the waves in 580 like Atlantis in its time, the city was revived a few decades later and reappeared towards the eleventh century by the arrival of Benedictine monks. The church of Our Lady of the End of the Lands was built around the 12th century. It was then that the basilica was buried by the sand of the dunes around 1747 and it was necessary to wait this time 1858 for the basilica to be desensitized and restored. It was also around that time that the sea baths became fashionable and Soulac-sur-Mer took advantage to open the first bathing establishments in its downtown. Success is there and the city will continue its growth. Yet urbanization does not develop in an anarchic way in the forest of Landes de Gascogne, but harmoniously draws a huge landscaped park. The city continues its development and the charm of the place attracts inexorably. In fact, it becomes the city with 500 villas in very heteroclite styles. You will not be able to remain insensitive to the unique character of this magical city.
To see absolutely, Notre-Dame-de-la-Fin-des-Terres, basilica desensitized of the commune, most of the villas soulacaises, as well as the lighthouse of Cordouan.
The sea is honored at Soulac-sur-Mer. You will be able to enjoy the pleasures of the glide on the beach South hosting a leisure base. Surfing, body boarding and many more are on your agenda. In summer, you can also take courses on the central beach. You can also try the sand-yachting unless the sea-bathing call is stronger. Long beaches of fine sand welcome you for relaxing moments on your towel or for a sea bath with friends or family.
Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the estuary of the Gironde, Soulac-sur-Mer can be visited by hiking along the coast with 7 km of sandy beach or in the neighboring forest. Several itineraries are at your disposal to discover this unique natural heritage. You can also choose the mountain bike to walk the trails or the road bike to follow the 8.5 km of bike paths along the seaside. You choose! Not to mention hiking, but a simple walk, the one not to miss is certainly the walk of the 500 villas. You will thus be able to taste this unusual architectural diversity which gives all its authenticity to Soulac-sur-Mer. Finally, during the summer season, the little tourist train takes you along the streets of the city to discover it again differently.
Culture is no exception. The Museum of Art and Archeology presents some remarkable collections relating the history of Aquitaine. But above all, you will see the skeleton of the ancestor of the elephants and of course the Gallic wild boar became the symbol of the city. On the floor, exhibitions of contemporary art await you. The Museum of Remembrance rises a little further, near the swimming pool.
Finally, you can not leave Soulac-sur-Mer without visiting the famous basilica buried beneath the sand and restored a few centuries later. The church with three naves in Romanesque style is classified Historic Monuments. Its very large dimensions leave no doubt about its function: to welcome the pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostela.
The covered market of Soulac-sur-Mer is open every day of the year from 8h to 13h except Monday from November to March. In July and August, the market also opens in the evening from 18h to 20h. The local products are on the stalls: beautiful vegetables, fresh meat and of course fish of the day. Outside, exhibitors are also present on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the year. You will also find handicrafts, jewelry and clothing and much more. Dive into a warm and friendly atmosphere to do your shopping every morning.
Découverte de la Basilique et des Villas
- From 2 may to 29 june 2024
- A must-see tour of Soulac-sur-Mer to discover this UNESCO World Heritage building, brimming with stories and anecdotes. The tour continues through the town's streets, taking in the many surprising villas from the belle époque. - Tuesdays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. from April to June, and in September - Mondays and Thursdays at 5.30pm in July and August - Duration : 1h30 - 7 /adult and 4 /children aged 6 to 12 - Reservations required on 05 56 73 29 36.
Rencontre Autour du Livre « Le Soldat Désaccordé » de Gilles Marchand - Entrée Libre
- On 23 may 2024
- 20 rue de la plage, Chez Léontine
- In 1920 Paris, a love story between a missing soldier and a young Alsatian woman - an epic investigation, full of humor and poetry, led by a former Poilu.
Séance "Fitness Pass" : Circuit Training
- On 25 may 2024
- 2 Rue Olivier Guinet, Gymnase
- Come and discover it on your own, with your family or with friends, aged 16 and over. - Registration and payment at CMCS (5 ? for members and 8 ? for non-members). - Remote payment by credit card possible.
Théâtre "Les Mésaventures de Canarthur le Gascon" - par la Section Théâtre Enfants du CMCS - Sur Réservation - Gratuit
- On 25 may 2024
- Eglise du jeune Soulac, Passage du jeune Soulac
- The CMCS is delighted to invite you to an original creation by Sylvie BOUILLEAU, performed by students from the theater workshop "Les mésaventures de Canarthur le Gascon". Reservations required at CMCS, free of charge, limited seating.
21ème Édition : Soulac 1900 Fait son Cinéma !
- From 31 may to 2 june 2024
- Rue de la plage
- Watch it turn, motor ! … Action ! The 21st edition of SOULAC 1900 will be held on May 31, June 1 and 2,2024, and the theme will be "the cinema", one of the major inventions of the last century ! Put on your best suit, and join us in the beautiful seaside resort of Soulac-sur-Mer to relive the era of the first sea baths. Let's pay tribute to all those pioneers of the 7th art, from the Lumière brothers in 1895, who made their first films capturing scenes of everyday life that will forever be etched in history, to Georges Miéles, who explored the possibilities of poetic fiction and the first special effects, Alice Guy, the 1st French director, scriptwriter and producer, Mack Sennet, one of the most important directors of American silent cinema, not forgetting the actors who developed burlesque and comic fiction, such as Charlie Chaplin.
Open Territorial Nouvelle Aquitaine "Espoir 2024"
- From 1 to 2 june 2024
- Plage des naïades
- The Open Territorial Nouvelle-Aquitaine Espoir stage 2 Gironde will take place on May 11 and 12,2024. - The competition will take place in @ville_de_soulac - Partner club : @medoc_waterman_club - Discipline : Shortboard, Longboard.
Rallye Photo
- On 9 june 2024
- 1 Avenue El Burgo de Osma, Parking du Casino
- You wonder what the famous seaside resort of Soulac-sur-Mer looked like - At the beginning of the 20th century ? Based on old postcards or photographs, we will try to take a picture of the - we will try to take a picture of the same point of view… but decades later ! - This is an opportunity to compare the evolution of the landscapes together. - If you have old pictures, don't hesitate to bring them - Bring your camera (reflex or hybrid), water and clothes adapted to the weather conditions. - Remember to bring a camera or a smartphone
Night Club Le Zinc : Soirée Chapeau !
- On 15 june 2024
- 1 Avenue El Burgo de Osma, Night-club le Zinc
- It's going to be a blast !
Soulac Roule ta Caisse #4
- From 15 to 16 june 2024
- Place de la Basilique
- Would you like to experience a fun-filled adventure and share a moment of joy and good humor ? - Take part in the 4th edition of the soapbox race, organized by the Soulac merchants' association. - On the program : - Saturday, September 15 : - Radio-controlled car race "Les 3h de Soulac" - - 9.30am to 11am : Qualifying - - 2pm : Start of the race - - Organized by the mini racing club grayannais - Sunday September 16 : - Soapboxes (ages 9 and up) - Rue des Bénédictins - 10am to 12pm : Technical inspection - 3pm : Race start - Around 5.30pm : prize-giving ceremony
Colloque Georges Mandel, Inlassable Dénonciateur du Danger Nazi
- On 15 june 2024
- 7 rue Maréchal d'Ornano, Salle socioculturelle
- To mark the 80th anniversary of his assassination by the Vichy Militia on July 7,1944. - Chaired by Jean-Noël Jeanneney (author of Georges Mandel, l'homme qu'on attendait)
