The Arcachon Basin, a world apart

Basin towns and villages to visit: each with its own assets

Small oyster-farming ports and charming seaside resorts: 10 charming towns and villages all around the Bay of Arcachon:

Arcachon, famous for the unusual architecture of its winter town and its family beaches

Gujan-Mestras with its picturesque oyster huts

Le Teich and Audenge, natural reservoirs of lush flora and fauna

Biganos a trendy canoeing spot on the River Leyre

Arès with its family atmosphere

La Teste-de-Buch, where the Dune du Pilat plunges you into the Sahara desert

Lanton and its 3 serene harbours

Andernos-les-Bains where you can stroll along the longest pier in France

And of course, Lège-Cap Ferret, which is so beautiful it’ll make you weep (and bring out your “Petits Mouchoirs”!).

For a Sunday getaway with the family, a romantic weekend or a long holiday with friends, there’s always a corner of paradise waiting for you on the Bassin, less than 30 minutes from Médoc Atlantique!

Top 5 must-see sites in the Bay of Arcachon

Bird Island

Even Pascal Obispo “fell for it” and its famous cabanes tchanquées.

An ancient sandbank or the emerged summit of an ancient dune? How this jewel nestling in the middle of the basin came to be is a matter of debate, but its beauty is the subject of consensus. The Île aux Oiseaux is an unspoilt haven for more than 150 species of bird, and home to salt meadows the like of which you’ll see nowhere else. Its size and colours change with the tides: 165 hectares at high tide, 1,690 hectares of mudflats at low tide. In explorer mode, set off to discover l’Îlot, l’Afrique, le Saous, le Truc vert and le Port de l’île, its 5 villages with authentic charm, untouched by any construction.

Tip: take a boat trip around Bird Island on an authentic pinasse.

The Banc d’Arguin

Set a course, matey! You can get there by boat, of course, and there are plenty of companies to take you there. The journey across the crystal-clear waters of the Bassin to get there already takes you out of time. And once you’re there, the feeling of being alone in the world is magical!

TOP TIP: have a picnic with a 360° view of the Bay of Arcachon. Please note: we’re counting on you not to leave any rubbish on this unspoilt natural site.

The Dune du Pilat

Here, no one is deprived of the desert!

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, you’ve come to the right place. Here you are at the foot of the highest sand dune in Europe. You’ll have to work your calves to climb the 110m (a staircase is installed on one side in high season), but the effort is more than worth the view from the top. What a panorama… Pine forests on one side, the blue waters of the Bay of Arcachon on the other, shimmering gold as the sandbanks rise and fall with the tides.

TOP TIP: the official Dune du Pilat website offers a range of events and guided walks to help you better understand this exceptional natural site and its environment. Because the dune is alive and kicking, and under constant protection.

Cap Ferret lighthouse

Its art deco style, all white and red, catches the eye of photographers and architecture enthusiasts alike. 258 steps and 57 metres high: the Cap Ferret lighthouse is also an incredible panoramic viewpoint over the peninsula and the Bay of Arcachon. On a clear day, you can even see Le Pyla.

It was built in 1840 and rebuilt in 1947 after the Second World War. Today, it houses a museum that is a fascinating place to visit.

TOP TIP: discover a former bunker below, and the history of the monument.

The oyster-farming port of Biganos

It’s not necessarily the best known of the Bassin d’Arcachon, but it’s undoubtedly the cutest: the fishermen’s huts are particularly colourful. You’re in the middle of the forest here, on the banks of the Leyre, which the locals have renamed the “Little Amazon”. Look out for the kayakers waving at you from the water: the river rides here are memorable!

TIPS: enjoy oysters and whelks with mayonnaise in one of the oyster huts in summer, after a photo session. This port is “super instagrammable”.

Going for a swim?

Beaches between ocean, lake and inland lagoon

Short or long swim ? The advantage of the Bay of Arcachon is that it caters for all types of swimmer. The ocean beaches of Lège-Cap-Ferret are a delight for surfers, while Arcachon rolls out its golden carpet for families looking for calmer salt water. At the foot of the Dune du Pilat, between the two waters, you can enjoy a unique sea bath with a view. But perhaps you’d prefer the natural surroundings of Lac de Cazaux for a change ?

Art of living

Treat yourself at the water’s edge

Around the Bay of Arcachon, indulgence is a religion. It has to be said that Mother Nature has generously spoiled the region… An essential component of the Bassin’s art de vivre, its gastronomy is the fruit of a happy alliance between exceptional products from the land and sea and the know-how of local producers.

Of course, fish and seafood are king, and oysters have that little something extra when you taste them straight from the oyster port, accompanied by a glass of white Bordeaux wine.

The specialities of the Bay of Arcachon are a must: Arcachon-Cap Ferret oysters, fish (sole, cuttlefish, sea bass, etc.), caviar (Caviar Perlita and Caviar de France), Abatilles natural mineral water, Chez Pascal white dunes, chocolate dunettes and oysters from Pâtisserie Marquet, canelés from Guignard, the surprising oyster-flavoured plant from La Serre Ô Délices…

8 gourmet experiences to book during your stay

Experience a tide with an oyster farmer at sunrise

Take an oyster shucking course so you don’t risk an accident this Christmas

Learn to fish on foot at low tide

 Wake up early to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Arcachon fish market

Discover that local beer is produced around the Basin, as well as caviar

 Take part in a guided food tour to munch the Bassin d’Arcachon to your heart’s content

Have a second, oh and then a third dunette, because it really is delicious

Lunch with a view at Co(o)rniche

Life in the great outdoors in every season

Put the car down

By bike, to get closer to nature and the fresh sea air, 220 kilometres of cycle paths encircle the Basin. Most of them are dedicated, making them safe for families.

Choose your atmosphere: along the seafront, through the forest on the Cap Ferret peninsula, from harbour to oyster harbour…

Of course, you can also visit the Bay of Arcachon by water. You can travel from Arcachon to Cap Ferret by boat-bus, which is very practical and well worth the trip. Numerous boatmen offer guided tours in pinasses or tourist boats, with possible stop-offs on the Banc d’Arguin and the Île aux Oiseaux to observe migratory birds.

Take to the skies and dare to reach 7th heaven with a paragliding experience on the Dune du Pilat to admire the lagoon from above.

Thrills and sports for all the family: move your pool!

Water sports are all the rage on the lakes, ocean beaches and inland waters of the Basin. Surfing, paddle boarding, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, kitesurfing: you name it! The more adventurous can try parasailing.

Families can also enjoy the water at Aqualand. As a couple, you can extend the benefits of seawater with a thalasso at Cap Ferret.

And while you’re dry, there’s no shortage of activities and entertainment either! Arcachon has an international golf course, a racecourse, a riding school, tennis courts, pelota frontons, beach clubs and a skate park for a little variety. Children are also catered for at Kid Parc, La Coccinelle and the zoo.

Shopping: looking for the best souvenir gift for Auntie Jeanne

The town centres of the 10 resorts on the Bay of Arcachon are particularly lively in summer, and many boutiques are open all year round. Don’t miss the chance to hunt out the latest fashions from the independent stores in Arcachon and Lège-Cap-Ferret. We’ve got our heart set on the Jane de Boy concept store!