Major city · France
Léon
Half a day to one night: walk the old centre, see the lake and the Landes forest. Not a base unless you have a car and want quiet.
Léon is a small Landes town (pop. about 2,000) on the edge of a lake and the forest. It has a 12th-century church, wood-frame houses and a calm beach. Most visitors come for the lake in summer or as a stop between the coast and the interior. Without a car, you are limited to the village and the lake shore.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (many places closed, cold and damp)
- Airports
- BIQ · BOD
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Léon17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Léon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBIQ Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (About 45 min by car; bus to Bayonne then train to Léon (check connections)).
- Getting aroundOn foot in the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBeer (demi / bottle)€3–6 (≈ US$4–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck€15–25 (≈ US$18–30)
- Budget bedCampsite pitch (tent or campervan), a night, per person€15 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BIQ Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (About 45 min by car; bus to Bayonne then train to Léon (check connections)) · BOD Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (About 1.5 h by car; train from Bordeaux to Dax then local bus (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Léon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot in the village. A car is needed for the lake beaches, forest trails and nearby towns. Bicycle rental available in summer (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 25 min
Car, about 20 min north
Beach town with a lake and a historic abbey.
Biscarrosse
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Car, about 30 min north
Larger lake resort with water sports and a seaplane museum.
Aire-sur-l'Adour
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Car, about 40 min east
Market town on the Adour river; half a day.
Saint-Paul-lès-Dax
cautionDoor to door: About 35 min
Car, about 30 min south-east
Thermal spa town; good for a soak.
Mont-de-Marsan
goDoor to door: About 55 min
Car, about 50 min east
Prefecture town with museums and a riverside park.
Saint-Sever
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car, about 40 min east
Bastide town with a Romanesque abbey.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre
A few guesthouses and a hotel; walk to church and lake.
Lake shore
Camping Punta Lago and other campsites; best for lake access and summer stays.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × €90 | €90 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Bicycle rental, half day2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour + drink)2 × €18 | €36 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €36 |
| Trip total≈ €196 per person per day, bed included | €392≈ US$500 |
check
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Plat du jour (lunch) | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer (demi / bottle) | €3–6 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Baguette | €1.20 (≈ US$2) |
| 5 km taxicheck | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer weekends: the lake shore gets busy; arrive before 10:00 for a good spot.Summer weekends: the lake shore gets busy; arrive before 10:00 AM for a good spot.
- Many shops and restaurants close on Sunday and Monday, and outside July–August.
- No ATM in the village; bring cash.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
LéonLéon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Paris; consulates in Bordeaux and Marseille. Most other countries: embassies in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi from Dax station to Léon: about €40–50 (≈ US$50–60), 30 min (check)
- Bus Dax–Léon (summer only): about €2–5 (≈ US$3–6), 40 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où est le lac ? — Where is the lake? (oo ay luh lak)
- Avez-vous une table ? — Do you have a table? (ah-vay voo ewn tahbl)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Léon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (many places closed, cold and damp) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Lake access and beach status: opening hours, lifeguard season, water quality (check).
- Camping Punta Lago: seasonal opening, pitch prices, booking link.
- Église Saint-André: opening hours, mass times.
- Summer bus service from Dax and Bayonne: schedule and stops.
Sources
- officialLéon official website
- officialLandes tourism — Léon
- secondaryWikivoyage: Léon (France), revision 5239249 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Léon
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