The territory of the Landes, inhabited since prehistoric times, a theatre of conflict during the Hundred Years War, a meeting point for three of the four roads leading to the Santiago de Compestela pilgrimage and also the scene of battles during the Wars of Religion, was profoundly modified during the nineteenth century before becoming what it is today.

Since the Revolution and the creation in 1791 of departments in France, major personalities have distinguished themselves as leaders of the department and have developed the area at the same time as promoting the its new economic assets.

Heavily marked since 1856 by the growth of the forestry industry and the many crises that it has gone through, the department's population has fluctuated to reach 327,000 inhabitants today. This figure has increased since the last census in 1990.

The 1982 decentralisation law gave the Landes General Council essential powers to determine development policy and adopt a more rational management that is closer to its citizens.