Réserve naturelle nationale du Courant d'Huchet

Réserve naturelle nationale du Courant d'Huchet is a French nature reserve stretched along the Courant d'Huchet river, spanning the communes of Léon, Moliets-et-Maâ and Vielle-Saint-Girons in the Landes department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The 618-hectare area was granted protected status in 1981, centred on the stretch of river that flows out of Étang de Léon and reaches the Atlantic Ocean at Moliets-et-Maâ.

What makes the Courant d'Huchet unusual?

It's a rare type of coastal landscape for Europe — a small, winding river running through forest, marshland and dunes before meeting the ocean. The dense riverside vegetation, slow current and mosaic of habitats have earned it the nickname "Little Amazon of the Landes." That nickname captures the feel of the reserve well: a thick green canopy leaning over the water, vines wrapped around tree trunks, and a sense of near-untouched wilderness just steps from the Atlantic coast.

Why is the reserve so important for biodiversity?

The reserve protects an unusually rich ecosystem. Naturalists have recorded more than 280 plant species and over 250 bird species here, including the Eurasian curlew, osprey and steppe eagle, often spotted during migration or while hunting over the water. The river and its banks also shelter mammals and reptiles typical of Western Europe's wetlands: the European otter, mink, genet and European pond turtle, while marbled newts can be found in the marshy backwaters. This concentration of species within a relatively small area makes the Courant d'Huchet one of the most significant conservation sites on the Landes coast.

What does the landscape look like?

The river connects two very different environments: the freshwater Étang de Léon to the east and the open, salty Atlantic to the west. Along the way, it crosses mixed forest, peat bogs and a belt of coastal dunes, which explains the habitat and species diversity found here. The riverbed itself is narrow and winding, in places shaded by a dense tree canopy that gives the whole area an intimate, almost jungle-like atmosphere — an unusual sight on the Atlantic coastline.

How can visitors explore the reserve?

The reserve offers several ways to experience this environment. The simplest option is a self-guided walk along the marked nature trail, where visitors can observe the vegetation and, with some luck, spot wildlife along the way. For those who want a deeper understanding of the ecosystem, guided walking tours are available, led by people familiar with the local flora and fauna. The most distinctive way to visit, however, is by boat: guided trips along the river itself let visitors get close to the dense riverside vegetation and reach spots that are impossible to access on foot, making it one of the most popular nature experiences on the Landes coast.

Where exactly is the reserve located?

The protected area extends across three communes — Léon, Moliets-et-Maâ and Vielle-Saint-Girons — in the Landes department. The river's mouth, where it meets the ocean, lies at Moliets-et-Maâ, a well-known seaside resort town, which makes the reserve an easily accessible stop for anyone staying along this stretch of coast.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Courant d'Huchet? It's both a river and a French nature reserve in the Landes department, linking Étang de Léon to the Atlantic Ocean.

Where does the "Little Amazon of the Landes" nickname come from? It refers to the dense, almost tropical-looking riverside vegetation and the winding, shaded course of the river, unusual for a European coastline.

What wildlife can be seen here? Over 250 bird species (including the Eurasian curlew and osprey), plus mammals and reptiles such as the European otter, mink, genet and European pond turtle.

How can you visit the reserve? On foot along the marked trail, with a guide, or by boat along the river — the boat trip is the most distinctive way to experience the site.

When was the reserve created? The area was granted nature reserve status in 1981, protecting 618 hectares.