Écomusée de Marquèze

About the museum

The Écomusée de Marquèze was founded in 1969 by the Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne. It is one of the first ecomuseums in France. Its aim is to conserve, study and pass on the heritage of the Grande Lande by recreating how people lived in the 19th century: as shepherd-farmers whose existence depended closely on their environment, until the heath gave way to forest some 150 years ago.

Marquèze was the first French ecomuseum to move buildings: two-thirds of the structures come from neighboring hamlets. Landscapes have been recreated, with fields, a forest of resin pines and the area of the millers. Landes breed sheep, old crops, gardens and houses furnished with the museum's collections complete the scene.

The hamlet lies about 4 km from the village of Sabres and remains isolated. The “train des résiniers” is now the only way to reach it; its carriages, built between 1903 and 1910, are listed as historic monuments. The pavilion, built in 2008 opposite the former Sabres railway station, now a ticket office, houses exhibitions and the museum's some 30,000 objects. The permanent exhibition tells the story of the development of the Landes de Gascogne since the 19th century, notably the start of planting the largest industrial forest in Europe in 1857.

Highlights

• 19th-century Landes hamlet with houses, ovens and gardens
• Ride on a vintage train to the hamlet
• Landes breed sheep and old crops
• Pavilion with permanent exhibition on the Landes forest
• Collection of around 30,000 objects

Permanent exhibitions

• Le quartier de Marquèze – A restored 19th-century Landes hamlet, with furnished houses, a sheepfold, a bread oven and crops.
• Exposition permanente du Pavillon – The development of the Landes de Gascogne from the 19th century to today, including the planting of the industrial forest.

Founded

1969

Operated by

Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne

Admission & discounts

2026 prices; they may change when the site reopens. The day ticket covers the Marquèze hamlet, the train ride, the pavilion and its exhibitions, the activities, games and guided tours. Reduced rates are sold on site only. Payment at the ticket office by cash, check, card or Chèques-Vacances.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The pavilion is accessible, and a footbridge leads to the train, with access made easier by a ramp. In the Marquèze hamlet, paths are uneven and sandy and can be hard to navigate, especially by wheelchair after rain; a companion's help may be useful. Wheelchairs and seat canes can be borrowed free of charge at reception, subject to availability.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Family game booklets are handed out on arrival, and “Instants Drôle” activities involve children in life on the airial (traditional Landes farmstead). Strollers, seats and umbrellas can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability.

Getting there & parking

By car: from Bordeaux or Arcachon, A63 exit 18, then towards Mont-de-Marsan; from Dax and Bayonne, A63 exit 15 (Escource), then towards Solférino. A cycle path links the site from Pontenx-les-Forges. An EV charging point is on Place Gambetta in Sabres, about a 10-minute walk from the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Lockers

All food and drink outlets are in the hamlet, reachable only by train: the restaurant La Table de Marquèze (lunch from 12:00 to 15:00, booking recommended), a refreshment kiosk (10:00 to 18:00) and the inn L'Estanquet. A shaded picnic area is near the kiosk. Lockers at the arrival station let you leave a cool box. Dogs on a leash are welcome, except in the pavilion and in the hamlet's buildings.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

The pavilion rents a 100-seat auditorium (over 130 m²), a 20-seat workshop room and a reception area for a buffet or cocktail, for meetings, lectures, seminars and receptions.

Plan your visit