The great sand dune of  “Le Pyla” (also written “Le Pilat”) is Europe tallest sand dune (over 100 m above sea level). You can reach it by car (paying parking lot nearby) or bus from Arcachon, then climb a staircaise up to the summit.

The St Paul footbridge, designed by Paul Régnauld (assisted by Gustave Eiffel), was built in 1863. 32 meters long, it links the Saint-Paul and Sainte-Cécile hills, passes 15 meters above the Allée Emile Péreire (Allée Pasteur), and provides access to the Belvedere (or Observatory). There you have a 360° view of Arcachon Bay and area.

When you go uphill from Arcachon seashore, you enter « La Ville d’Hiver » (« The Winter City »). This is a district of Arcachon that was created in the early 1860s by a handful of businessmen led by bankers Émile and Isaac Pereire. This area is an ideal destination for a walk amidst old time villas.

Just across the street from Palais des Congrès lies Arcachon beach. An opportunity for some walk at dusk or early morning in peaceful atmosphere. Swimming here in spring is not for the faint-hearted, but you may nevertheless be tempted if the weather is hot (and it will be for sure in May !).

With 2600 places for sailboats and motorboats, the port is the second biggest marina of the Atlantic coast. It is also home for a fishing flotilla and a dockside market. You can rent here sailboats or jetskis from marine shops and the Arcachon Yacht Club.

Gujan Mestras, a city close to Arcachon, has 7 harbours. They are essentially used for oysters culture, and some of them for recreational boating too. Larros is one of them : there you will find oysters restaurants and the (little)  oyster museum.

Going further East form Arcachon, you will arrive in the city of Le Teich. From 10am, its Ornithological Reserve welcomes visitors all year long. May is a migration and breeding period where birds population is at its highest : don’t miss it !  You may also like the foot trip along the Leyre river from Le Teich harbour to Arcachon Bay.

Biganos harbour, whose name “Port des Tuiles” (“Tiles Harbour”) refers to the tiles where oyster spat is grown, is situated on another branch of the Leyre river.  You may like its typical wooden oyster workshops.

Domaine de Certes et Graveyron is a unique natural site. This expansive wetland reserve, often referred to as the “Little Camargue of Gironde,” is celebrated for its diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and serene landscapes. It provides a haven for both migratory and resident bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Andernos les Bains was originally known as Andernos and became Andernos-les-Bains in 1897 on account of its many wonderful beaches. There are several distinctive parts of the town: the residential part, the town centre, and the oyster village where little wooden chalets serve up the catch of the day paired with local wines. The pier of Andernos-les-Bains is one of the longest in France and offers breathtaking views across the bay of Arcachon.

Your are now at the gate of famous Cap Ferret peninsula. Claouey is one of the typical villages, long ago only accessible by sea, that sprawl the peninsula. Make sure to arrive here at high tide to get the best of them.

Like its neighbor Grand Piquey, Petit Piquey (Li’l Piquey) owes its name to the small dune (“piquey” in Gascon) found in the area. It’s at the foot of this dune, covered by a pine forest, that you’ll find Petit Piquey’s first beach: beach of La Truquette. Another beach is also directly accessible from the village, and not the least: the Pointe aux Chevaux beach, the most beautiful in Cap Ferret for many.

Among the little gems on the peninsula, there’s one we particularly recommend: the village of L’Herbe. Between Le Canon and La Vigne, other places we’ll let you discover, it’s considered the prettiest village in the Arcachon Bay. Take the time to lose yourself in its narrow streets and pretty huts with colorful shutters!

On his return from Algeria, the public works entrepreneur Léon Lesca built a fabulous complex between 1865 and 1885, of which the “Villa Algérienne” – surrounded by a park of exotic species – was the main feature. The Villa Algérienne’s chapel, Sainte-Marie du Cap, is the only witness to this magnificent complex and is still used for catholic worship.

The La Vigne harbour is the second (Arcachon marina being first) of  the only two harbours accessible at all tide times in Arcachon Bay. It is installed in the former fish tank that Léon Lesca built at the same time as his Villa Algérienne. A pleasant beach is accessible nearby.

Step on the sand dune that closes the Mimbeau cove, and feel like abandonned on a remote Pacific island !

The Cap Ferret lighthouse, built between 1839 and 1840 and rebuilt twice since (the most recently in 1946), stands 57 meters high. If you’re brave enough to climb its 258 steps, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Arcachon Bay.

The tip of Cap Ferret peninsula is the doorstep to the open sea. There, very strong currents encounter swell waves on shallow waters, which turns the surface into a gigantic washing machine. You’ll be struck by the impressive energy that emanates from the sea here.

The Truc Vert (literally « the Green Thingummy ») is a sand elevation amidst the Cap Ferret peninsula (« truc » designates a small hill in local language). It gave its name to the ocean beach close to it. You’ll probably not bathe in May due to relatively low water temperature. Nevertheless, we deter to swim here : in May no surveillance is present, and each year deadly accidents occur. But the view is worth a trip.

The « Cabanes Tchanquées » (« cabane » = « shack », « tchanqué » = « built on stilts » in local language) on the « Île aux Oiseaux » (Birds Island) are one of Arcachon Bay most iconic landmarks. These are new built buildings, designed after originals architectures. Former buildings were used by ancient oyster farmers to watch after their oyster fields. One is still private, the second is property of the French Coastal Protection Agency.

The gala dinner will take place in the “Tir au Vol” (“Skeet Shooting”) building. This facility offers great overviews on the Arcachon Bay and delightful hospitality. It’s name comes from the early XXth century, where it was a shooting stand. The shooting activity ended in the 70s, while the place got its new name and destination.

The “Banc d’Arguin” is a sandbanck that stands in the middle of Arcachon Bay exit channel to the sea, between the Pyla sand dune and the Cap Ferret. Its shape changes over the seasons, and it is now a place for oysters growing and a birds preserved area. Guided visits are organized from Arcachon.