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The 19/20 takes you, Tuesday, September 27, to discover the national natural reserve of Arjuzanx, in the Landes. This former mine has become a wild space that extends over nearly 3,000 hectares.
A wild space in the heart of the Landes de Gascogne, the national reserve of Arjuzanx (Landes) extends over nearly 3,000 hectares. This setting is open to residents and day visitors alike. “After a day on the computer, working from home, it’s good to breathe, to get some fresh air”, assures a man, smiling. However, in place of the lake, there was previously an open pit mine. Machines were digging as early as 1958 to supply the nearby power station.
The work of minors was done “in very difficult conditions”, explains Francis Mesplède, a former miner. After 32 years of operation, the mine closes. It was a shock for the whole region. Spectacular work then began to transform the region into a nature reserve. Today, the former miner measures the progress made: “I think it was a good move.” In just 20 years, nature has reclaimed its rights.