Arcachon is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast. It is located in the south-west of France in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, about 50km from Bordeaux. This very popular area is a delight for nature lovers, those who love wide open spaces and good food.
What to visit in Arcachon?
The 4 seasons districts
Did you know that? Arcachon is divided into 4 main districts, each named after a season. This is due to the fact that there are different climates in Arcachon.
The winter town is located on the heights of Arcachon, with a panoramic view over the basin. It is a place of great charm, with beautiful and diverse architecture.
The tourist office offers a tour, with an audio guide to admire the different villas while tracing their history. The tour takes in houses inspired by ancient or Moorish villas.
The most famous cities for their architecture: Villa Teresa, Villa Vincenette and Villa Marguerite!
The oyster villages
Around the Arcachon basin there are many oyster farming villages, oysters being the speciality of the region.
Among the different villages, the one of the Hortense’s hut on the Cap Ferret peninsula is worth a visit. It offers a superb view of the Dune du Pilat and you can eat oyster platters there.
La Cabane 57 has an open and heated cabin. When the weather is fine, you can sit on the terrace, with your feet in the water, facing the Ile aux Oiseaux.
A nice place to taste the speciality of the region and to observe the know-how of the oyster farmers.
The landscapes of Arcachon not to be missed
The island of birds
In the centre of the Arcachon basin is the Bird Island. It is a place where many different species of birds pass through all year round.
To explore it at its best, it is pleasant to take a boat from the Pointe aux Chevaux a few kilometres from Arès. Or rent a canoe for a few hours and end up walking on the low tide, with a guide.
On the spot, you may be lucky enough to meet the island’s guardian who will be able to advise you on how to explore this unique site, while being careful to respect its protection.
The Dune du Pilat
The Dune du Pilat is the inevitable place to be when passing through the Arcachon basin. Located along the Landes forest, the Dune du Pilat is the highest dune in Europe (110 metres high). It is one of the most unusual landscapes in France and one of the most visited places in the world with more than 2 million visitors per year. Numerous activities are offered on site, such as paragliding and parasailing.