Mezos offers nature trails along the Courlis and links to its cultural history—from the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste to the former railway line. The trails vary in length and focus; specific participation or visiting conditions also apply to some activities.
Nature Trails Along the Courlis
The Le Courlis area is protected under the Natura 2000 programme. In Mezos, the Parcours pédagogique du Courlis runs alongside the small river Le Courlis through a Natura 2000 area with lush riverside vegetation typical of wetlands. It is about 800 metres long and has information boards that help visitors discover the local wildlife.
Almost two kilometres of developed, signposted trails also run along Le Courlis. Illustrated boards support the observation and understanding of the flora and fauna of the gallery forests and riverside vegetation. By comparison, the approximately 800-metre trail focuses on local wildlife, while the boards along the longer trails also cover plant life and riverside vegetation.
A longer route is the Circuit du Courlis near Mezos: the trail is 10.2 kilometres long and designated for hiking and mountain biking. The stated duration is 4 hours and 45 minutes. Along the way, the route frequently crosses waterways and offers varied scenery with traditional houses of the Landes.
Church, Pilgrimage Route and Railway History
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Mézos was built at the beginning of the 14th century and has been listed in the inventory of Monuments historiques since 1969. It is made of local garluche, an iron-rich sandstone from the Landes. The church thus brings together architectural history and a regionally named material.
The Château de Castéja, which has a medieval appearance, was built on a feudal mound on the boundary between Mézos and Saint-Julien-en-Born. The grounds are private and cannot be visited.
The Fontaine des Argileyres, also called the Fontaine des Argilières, is one of Mezos's historic attractions; dermatological effects are attributed to it. It lies on a route once used by pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela, which connected the Chapelle de Bourricos with Buglose via the Chapelle Saint-Pierre. The Chapelle Saint-Pierre also once stood along this route. It is located on the Lande de Labat and is believed to date from the 11th century. Remains of the chapel are still visible near the Airial de Plinguet.
Another link to the past is the former railway station of Mézos. It was on the Morcenx–Saint-Julien-en-Born line, which belonged to the Voies Ferrées des Landes network.
Guided Walking Trails and Canoeing and Kayaking
Mezos is also included among the guided walking trails of Mimizan360. The programme comprises nine guided audio trails, narrated by professional contributors and village residents sharing their memories. The Mezos trail is titled “De la métairie à l'usine”. Check whether the digital platform is available before setting out.
The canoe and kayak club of the Foyer pour Tous at the Base nautique du Courlis in Mezos is open year-round to people who can swim at least 25 metres. Opening times and participation conditions may change; check them before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Labastide-D'armagnac, Belhade, Brocas, Morcenx, Montfort-En-Chalosse, Pontonx-Sur-L'adour, Mées, Labenne-Océan
For the broader travel overview: Landes.
