Biscarrosse
Encyclopedia
Biscarrosse is a commune
in the Landes department in Aquitaine
in south-western France
. It is located 65 km (40.4 mi) southwest of Bordeaux
, and 10 km (6.2 mi) inland from the seaside resort of Biscarrosse-Plage on the Atlantic coast.
Near Biscarrosse is the CEL
(national test centre) from which numerous French
military rockets have been launched for test purposes. Likewise, the CEL has facilities for launching civilian rockets to study the upper atmosphere
.
Near the town centre, outside the Café de l'orme, there was what is believed to have been the oldest elm
tree in Europe. Planted in 1350, this Field Elm Ulmus minor died in 2010 after finally succumbing to Dutch elm disease
. http://www.pijouls.com/albums/alblormedebiscarrosse/page_01.htm. Legend has it that girls deemed promiscuous were forced to stand naked upon a barrel beneath the tree for a day. One unfortunate, unjustly accused, died of shame, the tree annually producing a corona of blanched leaves in her memory.
and its successor Air France
. A hydroplane museum exists at the shores of the Lac de Biscarrosse et de Parentis
.
During World War II
the base served German military hydroplanes; two Dornier 24 flying boats were recovered from the lake in 1980 and 1981.
Since 1991, the lake has seen bi-annual hydroplane fly-ins.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Landes department in Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
in south-western France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It is located 65 km (40.4 mi) southwest of Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
, and 10 km (6.2 mi) inland from the seaside resort of Biscarrosse-Plage on the Atlantic coast.
Near Biscarrosse is the CEL
Centre d'Essais des Landes
The Centre d'Essais des Landes is a launch site for the test of military rockets and for launching sounding rockets in France. The Centre d'Essais des Landes is situated between Biscarrosse and the Atlantic Ocean at...
(national test centre) from which numerous French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
military rockets have been launched for test purposes. Likewise, the CEL has facilities for launching civilian rockets to study the upper atmosphere
Earth's atmosphere
The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention , and reducing temperature extremes between day and night...
.
Near the town centre, outside the Café de l'orme, there was what is believed to have been the oldest elm
Elm
Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees comprising the genus Ulmus in the plant family Ulmaceae. The dozens of species are found in temperate and tropical-montane regions of North America and Eurasia, ranging southward into Indonesia. Elms are components of many kinds of natural forests...
tree in Europe. Planted in 1350, this Field Elm Ulmus minor died in 2010 after finally succumbing to Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease
Dutch elm disease is a disease caused by a member of the sac fungi category, affecting elm trees which is spread by the elm bark beetle. Although believed to be originally native to Asia, the disease has been accidentally introduced into America and Europe, where it has devastated native...
. http://www.pijouls.com/albums/alblormedebiscarrosse/page_01.htm. Legend has it that girls deemed promiscuous were forced to stand naked upon a barrel beneath the tree for a day. One unfortunate, unjustly accused, died of shame, the tree annually producing a corona of blanched leaves in her memory.
Hydroplane activity
Nearby Hourtiquet once hosted an important hydroplane base, serving the builder Latécoère and airlines AéropostaleAéropostale
Aéropostale may refer to:*Aéropostale , an apparel retailer*Aéropostale , formerly la Compagnie générale aéropostale, a defunct French airmail company...
and its successor Air France
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
. A hydroplane museum exists at the shores of the Lac de Biscarrosse et de Parentis
Lac de Biscarrosse et de Parentis
Lac de Biscarrosse et de Parentis is a lake in Landes, France. At an elevation of 19 m, its surface area is 35.4 km²....
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the base served German military hydroplanes; two Dornier 24 flying boats were recovered from the lake in 1980 and 1981.
Since 1991, the lake has seen bi-annual hydroplane fly-ins.