Festiv'Anima Animation Festival
A lively festival in Mont-de-Marsan celebrating animation and creative arts.
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Mont-de-Marsan
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Mont-de-Marsan
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The confluence of the Douze and Midou rivers is most beautifully viewed from the downtown bridges at sunset.
- Keep your eyes open: the city features many impressive open-air sculptures integrated into its streets.
- The Despiau-Wlérick Museum is usually quieter for art lovers during the morning hours.
- Summer brings the popular Madeleine Festival; book accommodation well in advance if visiting in July.
🍽 Food
🍽
Gascon Duck Dishes
Try a confit or magret de canard at a traditional restaurant located near the riverbanks.
🍽
Pastis Landais
A local cake flavored with orange blossom and rum, available at traditional bakeries.
🍽
Armagnac & Floc de Gascogne
Taste these regional spirits as an aperitif or digestif in the city's established bars.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Marché Saint-Roch
Held on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, offering excellent regional cheeses and fresh produce.
🛍
Foie Gras & Local Preserves
Look for specialized delicatessens in the center to buy authentic products from the Landes region.
🧘
Parc Jean Rameau
A large botanical park featuring a beautiful Japanese garden and plenty of shade for relaxing.
🧘
Midouze Riverbanks
Walk along the newly renovated quays for a peaceful afternoon stroll right by the water.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
4
U13 Football Tournament
Exciting 11-a-side youth football matches featuring talented U13 teams in Mont-de-Marsan.
From Bullfighting to Dance
An artistic performance exploring the links between bullfighting traditions and dance.
Nadau in Concert
Experience the soulful music of the famous Occitan group Nadau in the heart of Mont-de-Marsan.
Mont-de-Marsan, the proud prefecture of the Landes department, is widely celebrated as the "city of three rivers." Here, the Midou and Douze rivers converge directly in the city center to form the navigable Midouze, whose banks have been beautifully revitalized into scenic, green promenades. The urban landscape is characterized by elegant patrician townhouses and ancient watchtowers that testify to its formidable medieval past as a fortified stronghold. A key cultural asset is the Musée Despiau-Wlérick, housed within a historic stone keep, which holds France's most significant collection of figurative sculpture from the first half of the 20th century. Notably, these artworks extend beyond the museum walls into the city's streets and gardens, giving the town the distinct feel of an open-air gallery. During the third week of July, Mont-de-Marsan beats to the rhythm of the Fêtes de la Madeleine, one of southwestern France's largest traditional festivals; locals dress in blue and white, enjoying days of street music, tapas, and bullfighting events in the Plumaçon arena. Food enthusiasts should head to the large covered Saint-Roch market to sample the finest regional specialties, including duck confit, sweet Floc de Gascogne wine, and fresh Landes asparagus.
- Location: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
- Top sights: Despiau-Wlérick Museum · Lacataye Keep · Nahuques Park
- Nearby: Saint-Sever (16 km)
- Population: ~31.592
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 6 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 6 |
| Rain mm | 90 | 63 | 69 | 72 | 78 | 63 | 46 | 46 | 52 | 74 | 97 | 82 |
Geography
Facts
- Founded in 1133 by Pierre de Marsan.
- Postal code: 40000 (Landes department).
- Elevation: 23 to 97 meters above sea level.
- Home to the Air Base 118 'Colonel Rozanoff'.
- Despiau-Wlérick Museum houses over 2,000 sculptures.
- The Midouze river connects the city to the Adour basin.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Mont-de-Marsan (7)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Mont-de-Marsan called the 'city of three rivers'?
The Midou and Douze rivers meet here to form the Midouze river.
Is there a significant museum in the city?
The Despiau-Wlérick Museum specializes in early 20th-century sculpture and is housed in a medieval tower.
When does the biggest city festival take place?
The Madeleine Festivals (Fêtes de la Madeleine) take place every July with music, parades, and bullfights.
Is there an animal park nearby?
The Nahuques animal park in the east of the city is free and convenient for families.
Where is a good place to park in the center?
There are several parking lots along the banks of the Midouze and around Place Saint-Roch.
Mont-de-Marsan: where is it located?
Mont-de-Marsan is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Mont-de-Marsan: what is there to see?
Highlights include Despiau-Wlérick Museum, Lacataye Keep, Nahuques Park.
Mont-de-Marsan: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Mont-de-Marsan: why is it worth visiting?
Mont-de-Marsan, the proud prefecture of the Landes department, is widely celebrated as the "city of three rivers." Here, the Midou and Douze rivers converge directly in the city center to form the navigable Midouze, whose banks have been beautifully revitalized into scenic,…
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