Activities & Leisure in Arcachon (and its Bassin)

Arcachon is a coastal town located on the Bassin d'Arcachon, a bay in the Atlantic Ocean, just an hour from Bordeaux. It's a very popular summer destination in south-west France, offering many magnificent beaches and the highest sand dune in Europe!

Wavy ocean beaches near Arcachon

If you love waves and big, sandy beaches, you should head for the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Visit Le Petit Nice, Plage de la Corniche and La Salie in La Teste de Buch, and if you're an experienced surfer, head to L'Horizon, Le Truc Vert, Le Grand Crohot or La Garonne in Lège-Cap Ferret.

Quiet beaches of the Bassin d'Arcachon

The beaches of the Bassin d'Arcachon are much quieter, but you can only swim there at high tide. The basin stretches from Arcachon to Cap Ferret and boasts several fine sandy beaches. Plage d'Arcachon is the most accessible beach in the bay, and boasts numerous restaurants with sea views. A little further west, Plage de la Périère offers a more relaxing day out. Take a drive or boat trip to Cap Ferret, where you'll find numerous beaches and pretty oyster villages such as L'Herbe, Canon and Piraillan beaches.

Climb the Dune du Pilat, Europe's highest sand dune

One of the most interesting activities in Arcachon is climbing the Dune du Pilat.

At 100 meters high and 3 km long, it's the highest sand dune in Europe! The climb is a little arduous (there are hard steps), but it offers incredible views over pine forests and the Atlantic Ocean.

Visit the Ville d'Hiver

On the hill behind Arcachon, almost sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the resort, you can explore the Ville d'hiver. An area of imposing villas built by wealthy investors in the 19th century, the Ville d'Hiver is one of the largest unspoilt areas of its kind in France. It's very beautiful and very curious. The Belvedere, a wrought-iron tower built in the 19th century to offer a view of the town, is a particularly interesting landmark. A little wobbly, but a lot of fun!