Seaside holiday around the Bay of Arcachon

Bird Island, the Dune of Pilat, cabins on stilts, the tip of Cap Ferret ... They are all part of the landscape of the Bay of Arcachon, a magical destination, which seduces summer and winter travellers looking for authenticity and preserved nature.

Must see in the Bay of Arcachon (Bassin d'Arcachon)

Bay of Arcachon from the dune of Pilat

Between forests, dunes and ocean, one discovers the Bay of Arcachon through its Nature Parks, that of the Landes de Gascogne, Banc d'Arguin and Prés Salés ... Impossible to go there without climbing the Dune of Pilat, located in the municipality of La Teste-de-Buch near the beaches of Pyla-sur-Mer. The biggest city in Gironde, near Biscarosse in the Landes and its surfers, it is more peaceful, with kilometre-long beaches. 117 meters high and 500 meters wide, it is an exceptional site because of its point of view, which embraces the bay entrance and the vast pine forest adjoining the city.

One can see the peninsula of Cap Ferret and there is no substitute for a night stroll, when the sun sets, or at low tide when the sandbanks appear. The town also hosts Bird Island, in the center of the bay, a strip of land surrounded by cabins on stilts, symbol of the area and of oyster beds. It is above all a haven of peace for dozens of bird species that one can admire freely. A cruise in Banc d'Arguin shows this reserve and hundreds of terns living there. One hour away, on the other side of the bay, opposite, Lege-Cap-Ferret, where the tip is, is the best place for those seeking wilderness and solitude of the end of the world. For this is the feeling every visitor feels once on site, due to the wind blowing constantly and the currents which have shaped it. One can climb the 258 steps of the city lighthouse and enjoy a unique 360°  panorama of the Dune from another angle!

View from the lighthouse of Cap Ferret

Arcachon: chic resort of the bay

View of the waterfront of Arcachon with its large sandy beach

Back then in Arcachon to enjoy the winter City, an especially popular resort in the late nineteenth century, which is impressive with its unusual architecture, sumptuous villas of the "Belle Époque" mingling with other different currents. Among the most beautiful ones, the Toledo villa and its Spanish style or the Brémontier Villa that is like a traditional Swiss chalet! There is nothing like a stroll through the Moorish Park, the Belvedere and St. Thomas Church. There are also several sand beaches in Arcachon from the port to Pyla sur Mer.

On the way to Compostela

Oyster huts in the Bay of Arcachon

Strolling in the Bay of Arcachon, this is also like walking through the "Chemin des Anglais", which follows the pilgrims of Compostela coming from Brittany. Start with the port of Audenge to discover the largest seawater pool in Europe, and continue 4 km further to the port of Tuiles, very picturesque, just opposite the island of Malprat. Finally, finish with Biganos, a very old harbour lined by alleyways and colourful huts. All along, there are beaches in the Bay of Arcachon where it is possible to swim at high tide. They are highly valued by families with children, as swimming is very gently sloping.