{"id":7300,"date":"2026-09-09T10:25:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T08:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missiontomarsh.org\/wetland\/letang-noir\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T13:47:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T11:47:44","slug":"letang-noir","status":"publish","type":"wetland","link":"https:\/\/missiontomarsh.org\/en\/wetland\/letang-noir\/","title":{"rendered":"l&#8217;\u00c9tang Noir"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-7300","wetland","type-wetland","status-publish","hentry","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":{"wetland_country":"France","wetland_state":"","wetland_latitude":43.69577737526039,"wetland_longitude":-1.3747909230976447,"wetland_pois_geojson":"","wetland_hero_image":7141,"wetland_hero_image_copyright":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_type":"Behind-the-dune wetland with areas of peat bog and swamp forest (Zone humide d'arri\u00e8re-dune). After the end of the last Ice Age and the subsequent rise in sea level, a belt of dunes formed along the coast of the Landes department, preventing freshwater from the hinterland from flowing into the sea. In the depressions behind these dunes, lakes, swamps, swamp forests, and peat bogs developed. The \u00c9tang Noir is the headwaters of a branched network of waterways. The dark color of the water is caused by the deep muddy bottom and the constant shade cast by the trees.    ","wetland_usp":"The last remaining natural coastal forest on the Atlantic coast\u2014home to a plant with only six remaining locations in all of France.","wetland_size":"The nature reserve covers a total area of approximately 52 ha, of which the \u00c9tang Noir itself accounts for a water surface of 19.7 ha.","wetland_status":"Initially designated by a State Council decree in 1968 (along with other lakes in the state, with a total area of 612 ha). National Nature Reserve (RNN) since 1974, covering an area of approximately 52 ha. ","wetland_landscape":"Four habitats in a very small area: primary swamp forest of alders, willows, and hazel trees covering two-thirds of the lake\u2019s shoreline. A peat bog with sphagnum moss cushions, wet meadows, and a mixed pine-oak forest. Add to that the dark lake and the tributary, the Ruisseau de Capdeil.  ","wetland_authorities":"Syndicat Mixte de Gestion des Milieux Naturels (SMGMN)","wetland_infrastructure":"A wooden boardwalk through the swamp forest with two overlooks along the lake shore. Access to the boardwalk is free and available year-round. (It is not possible to walk all the way around the lake.) In the summer, visits early in the morning or after 6:00 p.m. are recommended for a quieter experience and better wildlife viewing.   ","wetland_accessibility":"This route is only partially suitable for people with limited mobility, as the boardwalk is uneven and slippery when wet. With a suitable stroller, the boardwalk is manageable. ","wetland_dogs":"","wetland_public_transport":"","wetland_road_conditions":"Holzsteg ohne Gel\u00e4nder und bei N\u00e4sse rutschig, festes Schuhwerk empfohlen. Badeverbot im See!","wetland_parking":"Free parking right next to the visitor center;","wetland_parking_name_1":"Visitor Center","wetland_parking_name_2":"","wetland_parking_name_3":"","wetland_parking_address_1":"600 Avenue du Parc des Sports, 40510 Seignosse","wetland_parking_address_2":"","wetland_parking_address_3":"","wetland_parking_latitude_1":43.6925967867626,"wetland_parking_latitude_2":"","wetland_parking_latitude_3":"","wetland_parking_longitude_1":-1.3777720309408816,"wetland_parking_longitude_2":"","wetland_parking_longitude_3":"","wetland_parking_price_1":"","wetland_parking_price_2":"","wetland_parking_price_3":"","wetland_description":"Four kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, behind the belt of dunes in the pine forests of the Landes department, lies one of the quiet natural gems of southwestern France. The \u00c9tang Noir National Nature Reserve owes its existence to the dunes themselves: When a massive belt of dunes formed along the coast after the last Ice Age, it blocked the freshwater from the hinterland\u2014behind the dunes, lakes, swamps, peat bogs, and swamp forests developed. The \u00c9tang Noir is one of these lakes. It truly lives up to its name: the depth of the water, the thick muddy bottom, and the constant shade cast by the alder and willow trees along the shore give its surface a dark to black hue. Even the naturalist Jean Rostand\u2014son of the playwright Edmond Rostand, who wrote *Cyrano de Bergerac*\u2014used this place as one of his personal research laboratories. What fascinated him becomes immediately apparent upon stepping onto the wooden walkway.","wetland_highlights":"The heart of the reserve is its floodplain forest: Along two-thirds of the lake\u2019s shoreline, alders, willows, and hazel grow so densely and tangled that light barely penetrates to the water\u2019s surface\u2014an atmosphere that repeatedly reminds visitors of a mangrove forest, which is why the area is sometimes colloquially referred to as the \u201cMangrove of the Landes.\u201d This primary swamp forest is one of the last remnants of the region\u2019s original coastal ecosystem\u2014before land reclamation, roads, and beach resorts fundamentally altered the coast of the Landes department in the 20th century. At the end of the wooden boardwalk, two lookout points open up directly onto the water. If you walk quietly, you may spot European pond turtles on floating branches here, and\u2014with a little luck\u2014the shy European mink on the shore. In the peat bog area, the common sundew grows on the peat moss cushions. The botanical highlight par excellence is the delicate bugleweed\u2014a plant that survives in only six locations throughout France, all of which are in the Landes department.","wetland_seasons":"<strong>Spring<\/strong>: Watch for marsh turtles basking on sunny branches and rocks along the shore.\r\n\r\n<strong>Summer<\/strong>: See the blooming marsh hibiscus shrubs and about 30 species of dragonflies along the lake shores.\r\n\r\n<strong>Fall<\/strong> and <strong>winter<\/strong>: Spot resting waterfowl.\r\nDuring peak season, it\u2019s best to visit early in the morning or in the evening to enjoy the mystical and peaceful atmosphere.","wetland_history_1_original_condition":"A natural hinterland wetland formed alongside the Atlantic coastal dune belt following the last Ice Age. The network of water bodies (\u00c9tang Noir \u2192 \u00c9tang Blanc \u2192 \u00c9tang de Hardy \u2192 \u00c9tang de Soustons) is an ancient, naturally formed hydrological system. ","wetland_history_2_land_use_history_begin":"Traditionally used for hunting and fishing, including the adjacent lakes. Jean Rostand (1894\u20131977)\u2014a natural scientist, member of the Acad\u00e9mie fran\u00e7aise, pioneer in frog embryology, and son of the playwright Edmond Rostand\u2014used the \u00c9tang Noir as a laboratory for his research. ","wetland_history_3_industrial_degradation":"No drainage or peat extraction has been documented within the reserve itself. The greatest external threats are prolonged dry spells caused by climate change and nutrient runoff from the surrounding area. According to reports, significant fluctuations in the water level can destabilize the entire ecosystem.  ","wetland_history_4_visible_degradation_traces":"The area itself is largely intact. The heavily altered coastal stretch surrounding it\u2014with swimming areas, roads, and tourist infrastructure\u2014makes the rarity and value of this remnant all the more apparent. ","wetland_history_5_turning_point_protection":"Designated a National Nature Reserve in 1974\u2014making it one of the very first national nature reserves in France.","wetland_history_6_measure_rewetting":"No rewetting measures have been documented; however, attention is being paid to the natural water balance.","wetland_history_7_measure_scrub_clearing":"No clearing will be carried out in the area; the primary secondary forest is a conservation target and is to be preserved. Invasive species are continuously being controlled. ","wetland_history_8_recovery_status":"The reserve is a preserved remnant of the Landes' original coastal ecosystem; the greatest ongoing challenge is stabilizing the water level.","wetland_gallery_image_01":7142,"wetland_gallery_image_02":7143,"wetland_gallery_image_03":7145,"wetland_gallery_image_04":7144,"wetland_gallery_image_05":7153,"wetland_gallery_copyright_01":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_02":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_03":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_04":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_05":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_image_06":7154,"wetland_gallery_image_07":7149,"wetland_gallery_image_08":7156,"wetland_gallery_image_09":7152,"wetland_gallery_image_10":7146,"wetland_gallery_copyright_06":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_07":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_08":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_09":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_10":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_image_11":7147,"wetland_gallery_image_12":7158,"wetland_gallery_image_13":7151,"wetland_gallery_image_14":7150,"wetland_gallery_image_15":7159,"wetland_gallery_copyright_11":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_12":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_13":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_14":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_15":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_image_16":7161,"wetland_gallery_image_17":7163,"wetland_gallery_image_18":7155,"wetland_gallery_image_19":7162,"wetland_gallery_image_20":7164,"wetland_gallery_copyright_16":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_17":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_18":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_19":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_gallery_copyright_20":"Mission to Marsh","wetland_flora_image_1":7165,"wetland_flora_image_2":7166,"wetland_flora_image_3":5255,"wetland_flora_name_1":"Delicate Pimpernel (Anagallis tenella)","wetland_flora_name_2":"Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus palustris)","wetland_flora_name_3":"Intermediate Sundew (Drosera intermedia)","wetland_flora_description_1":"It can now be found at only six locations throughout France, all of which are in the Landes department.","wetland_flora_description_2":"Also known as swamp hibiscus, it has striking pink flowers and is strictly protected. Do not pick it! ","wetland_flora_description_3":"This carnivorous plant grows on the sphagnum moss cushions in peat bogs.","wetland_fauna_image_1":7234,"wetland_fauna_image_2":6586,"wetland_fauna_image_3":5242,"wetland_fauna_name_1":"European mink (Mustela lutreola)","wetland_fauna_name_2":"European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)","wetland_fauna_name_3":"Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)","wetland_fauna_description_1":"One of France's rarest mammal species is actively monitored in the reserve.","wetland_fauna_description_2":"They're easy to spot when basking in the sun on branches and rocks.","wetland_fauna_description_3":"It is monitored as part of a joint monitoring program with the Marais d'Orx. The area is home to 112 bird species and 30 dragonfly species. 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