Gouf de Capbreton

Le Gouf de Capbreton, with its unique geological structure, is our main research site. This underwater canyon, one of the deepest in the world, reaches a depth of 3500 meters and stretches over 300 kilometers, making it comparable in size to the Grand Canyon in Colorado.

The origins

Le Gouf de Capbreton was born in the structural history of the Bay of Biscay and the Pyrenees. It opened during the phase of expansion from the Iberian Peninsula to Europe and the integration phase that followed.

Megafauna

his complex geology creates an ideal habitat for a wide variety of cetaceans, attracting no fewer than 17 different species throughout the year. These cetaceans come to feed, reproduce, give birth, or simply as part of their migration route. This diversity makes Le Gouf de Capbreton an exceptional site for cetacean observation and research, offering unique opportunities to study their behavior, migrations, and interactions in a nutrient-rich environment