Arcachon Things to Do

An excursion to Atlantic coast was waiting for us after Bordeaux. I never heard earlier about such a place as Arcachon.
At the tenth day of our travel we had already been tired enough by various impressions, therefore a prospect simply to be expiated in the sea seemed us very tempting. However the reality has beaten all my expectations.
I have taken advantage of this circumstance, have passed about kilometer from the central part of a beach, and I appeared practically in loneliness. When up to the nearest person remains more than 100 meters, I have took off swimming trunks and rushed into an ocean wave! I was almost stunned! The purest sea water has absorbed me, and I for some time have grown dumb with delight! For the sake of it is necessary to live and come here through almost four thousand kilometers! I tested such a pleasure last time almost twenty years ago on a deserted beach of Pizunda.

Arcachon Bay (Bassin d'Arcachon), is a bay of the Atlantic Ocean on the southwest coast of France. The bay covers an area of 150 km² at high tide and 40 km² at low tide. Some of its geological features are natural preservation areas.

The dune du Pyla is one of the most exciting and stunning places I have ever seen. I had seen already sandy dunes on the beach (in Sardinia, for example) but this is really huge, large and long (3km more or less). Go there in the late afternoon to enjoy an outstand sunset, you won't regret.

Arcachon is a beautiful atlantic sea village. I regret not having spent more time there. You can enjoy the large and sandy beaches, the ocean with huge waves, shopping or you can take the ferry for the opposite side of the bay, Cap Ferret. In Cap Ferret beaches are very long as well and the sea is really calm (pay attention to the tides). A ferry ride last half an hour and you can travel with your bike as well. Dont forget to eat oysters!

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The big sand dune of Pilat is said to be the highest of its kind in Europe. The brochures which I got from the tourist office in Arcachon state an elevation of 117m, but that varies of course. The dune is not only quite high, but also long (2,7km) and wide (500m).
Access to the dune is not restricted and you can climb it from any point. It's a bit of an effort to go up, but the view is definitely rewarding.
During the summer months some staircases are build into the dune which makes it a lot easier to get up there.

If you continue past the Dune du Pilat towards Biscarosse you'll come to some great beaches which are very popular with surgers. Due to their length you'll be able to find a stretch just for yourself. Some of the beaches have bars/restaurants and toilet/shower facilities.
Some of the beaches can be reached by the baia (no.1) bus in July/August.

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Le Moulleau is très chic quarter of Arcachon. Here you'll find lots of expensive shops and restaurants. The beach is great aswell!
It can be reached easily by walking along the beach for about 45 minutes or take the free electric bus from the train station.

The Banc d'Arguin is a sand bank located right in the entrance of the Bassin d'Arcachon. It's a nature reserve and a nesting and hiberanation place for many birds.
During the summer months you've got a ferry connection from the Dune du Pilat to the Banc d'Arguin, at other times you'll need your own boat.