Lac Mouriscot

Lac Mouriscot is a lake and protected natural area in Biarritz, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of France's Basque Country. It sits right on the border with the neighbouring town of Bidart, roughly 1750 metres from the Atlantic shoreline, and forms a pocket of greenery inside one of the most built-up seaside resorts on the French Basque coast.

Where exactly is the lake?

The site sits at approximately 43.4556 N, -1.5594 W. Lac Mouriscot fills a small valley enclosed by wooded, fairly steep slopes that drop toward the water almost like natural ramparts, planted with pines, oaks, and beeches. The vegetation grows thicker and wilder the further you move from the shoreline. The lake is occasionally confused with another Basque commune, Ustaritz, about 10 km further south - in fact, the entire lake lies within the boundaries of Biarritz.

What kind of protected site is this?

Lac Mouriscot is classified as an ecologically sensitive site within France's network of protected coastal land. In 1997, the Conservatoire du littoral purchased the land around the lake from the city of Biarritz - more than 24 hectares in total - while day-to-day management stayed with the municipality. The broader natural area around the lake, including its surrounding wetlands, extends over several dozen hectares. Within that space, several distinct habitats sit side by side: a eutrophic lake, Atlantic heathland, lowland peat bog, sedge marsh, and stretches of ancient woodland and alluvial forest - an unusually varied mix for a site so close to the Atlantic coastline.

What wildlife lives around the lake?

Close to 70 bird species pass through or settle around Lac Mouriscot, especially during migration and over winter - grey herons, kingfishers, and birds of prey are regularly spotted circling the valley. The water itself holds carp, pike, tench, gudgeon, eel, and perch. Dense reeds and marshy ground keep parts of the shoreline hard to reach, which helps the site keep its wild character despite sitting inside an urban area.

Can you fish or swim here?

Fishing is allowed without a licence, but only from the bank - no boats - and limited to one rod per angler. A water-sports facility operated on the lake until the 1960s; today, though, the site is mainly used for walking and birdwatching rather than swimming or paddling.

How do you get there, and what trails connect to it?

Lac Mouriscot is within walking distance of central Biarritz, surrounded by villa neighbourhoods and nearby golf courses. It forms one stop along the "Chemin des Lacs," an approximately 8-kilometre walking route that starts at Milady beach, passes the neighbouring Lac Marion, reaches Lac Mouriscot, and finishes at the Cité de l'Océan. The site itself is open to visitors around the clock and free to enter.

What's the history behind the site?

Traces of human presence at the lake go back to prehistoric times. From the 1880s onward, wealthy families began building grand villas around its shores, among them Villa Mouriscot, Villa Barbarenia, and the Françon estate. During the First World War, military seaplanes reportedly landed on the lake, a detail that hints at its earlier logistical role in this stretch of the coast.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lac Mouriscot located in Ustaritz? No. The lake lies entirely within the town of Biarritz, on the border with Bidart. Ustaritz is a separate Basque commune about 10 km further south and has no direct connection to this lake.

Is there an entry fee? No, the area around the lake is open to the public free of charge, at any time of day.

Can you fish at Lac Mouriscot? Yes, no fishing licence is required, but angling is limited to the shoreline, with a maximum of one rod per person.

Can a visit here be combined with a longer walk? Yes, Lac Mouriscot is one of the stops on the "Chemin des Lacs," a roughly 8-kilometre route running from Milady beach, past Lac Marion, all the way to the Cité de l'Océan.