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Arcachon

Arcachon is to the west of Bordeaux, and is at the northern end of the longest, sandiest coast in Europe, stretching 200 kilometres to Biarritz - known as the Côte d'argent ('the silver coast'). It is a popular resort for people from Bordeaux to escape to, being easy to reach by train.

The big attractions in Arcachon are the beach, the town itself, which is very attractive, and the seafood restaurants. Arcachon is not exposed to the full might of the Atlantic waves, being on the edge of a large inlet, the Arcachon Basin, rather than facing the sea directly.

The town is divided into two parts - the summer town (Ville d'été) and the winter town (Ville d'hiver) slightly further inland. As a visitor you will probably spend more time at the waterfront and in the summer town, but the winter town is also worth exploring, for the magnificent houses as much as anything else - Arcachon contains a large number of interesting and ornate old houses, sometimes almost verging on the Disneyesque, a tribute to the days when many rich merchants set up home here.

The Parc Mauresque falls between the two towns, and has lovely views over the lower town and the coast.

Activities

Various boat-related trips are available from the jetties in the town centre, or if you bring a bike with you (or hire one) there is a lovely promenade and cycle path that heads south from the beach and continues 30 kilometres to Biscarrosse, via various beaches and coastal towns en route.

If you enjoy cycling, don't forget that the whole Arcachon coast is backed by the largest forest in western Europe - Les Landes. Until a hundred years ago this was just infested swamp, but was reclaimed and planted with pine trees, and is now a 'Regional Natural park'.

Of course, beach activities and boat trips off the coast are available to suit all. If you are a beach lover, even a busy weekend seems unable to overcrowd the beaches south of Arcachon, so you should always be able to find somewhere quiet, if that is what you are looking for. 

And the famous local oysters will undoubtedly tempt you into one Arcachons many restaurants, after all that activity.

But perhaps the two biggest attractions in the area are found a few kilometres away:

Dune du Pilat (Dune de Pyla)

The 'Dune du Pilat' sand dune is a few kilometres south of Arcachon, and is the largest sand dune in Europe, at more than 110 metres high. It is about 3km long, and steep! The appeal is two fold. First, you and your children can pass a happy hour in the baking sun struggling to reach the top of the sand dune (stairs are also available!), and second, the views from the top are well worth the effort - out to sea, along the coast, and back across the Les Landes forests.

It really is an interesting and fascinating place to visit. (Unfortunately I must have got sand in the camera, so no photo, sorry, but it is big!)

Parc Ornithogique du Teich

This ornithological wonderland, 14 kilometres to the east of Arcachon, is one of just two bird sanctuaries in France. Previously the area was a wetland swamp, and continues to attract very high numbers of birds - reputedly more than 250 species, including several very rare birds. such as the spoonbill, the little egret and the black kite.

There are quite a few pairs of stork nesting in the parc (picture below). Many of the birds can be seen from the observation points along marked out walks through Teich Parc.

Arcachon tourisme, gîtes et hôtels

Ornithology park near Arcachon