Mimizan

Sunset on a Mimizan beach

Coat of arms

Mimizan

Location within Nouvelle-Aquitaine region

Mimizan

Coordinates: 44°12′N 1°14′W / 44.20°N 1.23°WCoordinates: 44°12′N 1°14′W / 44.20°N 1.23°W

Country

Mimizan

Mimizan

Government

• Mayor (2008–2014)

Christian Plantier

Area¹

114.83 km² (44.34 sq mi)

Population (1999)²

6,605

• Density

58/km² (150/sq mi)

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

INSEE/Postal code

40184 / 40200

Elevation

0–80 m (0–262 ft)

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

²Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Mimizan is a commune in the Landes department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in south-western France. There are two separate districts of the town: Mimizan-Bourg (town center) and Mimizan-Plage (resort).

Mimizan is a seaside resort on the Atlantic Ocean in southwestern France.

This Mimizanaise resort was divided in two by the current: Mimizan North Beach where the majority of summer activities take place, the seasonal markets, the pedestrian street and Mimizan South Beach with cycling paths and walking trails make it an exceptional holiday location. The stretches of fine sand of the Mimizan Beach acquired the nickname the "Pearl of the Silver Coast" when the poet Maurice Martin made a stop with his caravan in 1905. Mimizan Beach has also witnessed major events such as the emergency landing of the Canary Bird, out of fuel, on the Plage-des-Ailes on 16 June 1929. Coming from Old Orchard (the United States), on the occasion of France's first Atlantic crossing by plane (see Alcock and Brown, 1919, for the first transatlantic flight), the young flamboyant crew included Jean Assolant, René Lejevre, Armant Lotti, and the story goes, a stowaway named Alfred Schreiber, who was responsible for the accident.

Coming out of Aureilhan lake, Mimizan Current that is 7 km long is also the spillway for the three lakes in the North of Landes (Cazeaux-Sanguinet, Parentis-Biscarosse and Aureilhan-Mimizan). A natural boundary, it marks out the north and south areas of the district. Its history is like the meanders of its course. In 1812, it flowed into the ocean at 3.5 km more in the south (a locality named Maillouyère). In 1928, a strong current of water destroyed the littoral dune on the origin mouth. Two dikes built by man dictate its course today. But sea erosion does not always suit the infrastructures and the current is still subject to close monitoring. At the edge of Courant, enthusiasts meet throughout the year to partake in the age-old, and strictly regulated, sport of elver fishing. During the summer months children can also learn the delights of rod fishing; lessons can be arranged at the fishing school near the lake.

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Wikipedia