Arcachon
Popular seaside resort 55km south-west of the city of Bordeaux
Traditionally the town of Arcachon was popular weekend retreat for those needing to escape the big city of Bordeaux. It has also been associated with a place of health and recovery where people were sent to 'take the air' and recuperate from various ailments at the turn of the 19th century.
At its southern entrance of the bay from the Atlantic ocean, Arcachon is crowned by Europe's largest sand dune, the Dune du Pyla (Pilat), nearly 3km long, 500m wide, and reaching up to 110m in height.
On the opposite side of the inlet is the penninsula of Cap-Ferret, a popular resort with celebrities, many of whom have holiday homes in this chic seaside resort.
The town itself is loosely divided into five sections:
- Ville d'été - the summer town, which runs along the northern coast. It's situated next to the beach and has a wide selection of restaurants, bars and shops.
- Ville d'Automne - the autumn town, is to the east and runs around the marina and port areas of the town, including Aiguillon.
- Ville d'Hiver - the winter town, is situated south of the Ville d'été and is where you will find the hundreds of 'Belle Époque' style villas from the end of the 19th century.
- Ville de Printemps - the spring town, sits to the west of Arcachon and closest to the lovely beaches such as Pereire.
- Le Moulleau - a beach resort to the south-west of Arcachon.
History & Culture in Arcachon
Originally a small fishing village, the 'ville d'été' began to expand as more and more people were sent to the area for its healing abilities. The sea air and pine forests along the coast were said to be a good combination and to have a similar effect as the mountain air of Switzerland, so those needing to recuperate, take the sea air and recover flocked here.
The bay was also very much protected from the strong winds of the Atlantic, so with the addition of the train line from Bordeaux to Arcachon the 'ville d'hiver' also grew up in the area as it became more popular as a winter resort.
A group of business men, specifically the Pereire brothers continued to develop the summer tourism, and with the Les Abatilles thermal spring the town started to attract rich merchants from Bordeaux and the rest of France.
The famous writer Alexandre Dumas lived in Arcachon for a while and Toulouse-Lautrec also had a house on the sea front.
Sights & Attractions in Arcachon
The older part of town centres around the old fishing village and has the Eglise Saint Ferdinand at its heart. This beautiful Neo-Roman style church is definitely worth a look for the history buffs.
The other church in the town, the Notre Dame Basilica is steeped in a history entwined with the sea and fishing. This stunning building is known as the Chapel for Sailors.
Just outside of the heart of Arcachon in Le Moulleau is the Notre-Dame des Passes, a church built in yet another wonderful style of architecture.
Sights in Arcachon
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Notre-Dame des Passes, Arcachon
Founded in 1864 this stunning church was built in a Byzantine and Tuscan style and it houses one of the rarest statues of the Virgin of the Advent (the pregnant Virgin) in France.
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Eglise Saint Ferdinand, Arcachon
Situated close to the Port of Arcachon this beautiful church is in the heart of the old town and fishing village area.
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Notre Dame Basilica - La Chapelle des Marins, Arcachon
The Shrine of Our Lady of Arcachon was founded by a Franciscan, Father Thomas Illyricus. On January 16, 1624, the chapel Thomas Illyricus was overthrown by a storm.
Beaches in Arcachon
The main beaches around the Arcachon part of the basin are well looked after, mostly supervised and are covered in fine white sand with clear blue waters.
The largest and most popular is the Plage Pereire, named after the business men who helped develop the area in the late 1800's.
There are plenty of watersports to indulge in on most of the beaches, including windsurfing and kitesurfing, and many of the areas have kids beach clubs to help entertain the little ones while you enjoy the sunshine and a relaxing morning on the beach.
All the beaches that we have listed around Arcachon are supervised during the summer months, from mid June until mid September.
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Plage Pereire Beach, Arcachon
This is by far the largest and better known of the Arcachon beaches, stretching some 3km in length with wonderful views over to the chic town of Cap-Ferret and the peninsula beaches.
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Plage des Abatilles Beach, Arcachon
A wide walkway and promenade borders this beautiful beach. There are numerous things to do including games for children, surfing, beach volleyball and of course it's a great setting near the doors to the Atlantic ocean.
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Plage d'Arcachon Beach, Arcahon
An 800m strip of white sand situated between the Theirs and Eyrac piers this beach is very much in the Arcachon basin and sheltered from the strong Altlantic winds on the coast.
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Plage d'Eyrac Beach, Arcachon
A small, peaceful and tranquil beach that is situated at the entrance to the marina and is the most sheltered of all the beaches around Arcachon due to its location within the basin.
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Plage du Moulleau Beach, Arcachon
This area offers great views further down the west coast to the nature reserve of banc d'Arguin and the Great Dune of Pyla.
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Dune du Pilat Beach
Belonging to the coastal dunes of Aquitaine, it's a single dune that is always moving and is in fact the tallest sand dune in Europe.
Events in Arcachon
Being a seaside town Arcachon is naturally filled with fishing, sailing and port side events, even their town feast day is focused on the sea and remembering those souls lost to her.
Events in Arcachon
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La Fête Patronale d'Arcachon
A mass is held where prayers are said for those who have perished at sea, followed by a procession to the Cross of the Sailors. Afterwards, the sea is blessed by the "Sailors of the Women's Committee Fishermen Basin" who throw a crown into the ocean from aboard a lifeboat.
Dining in Arcachon
Restaurants in Arcachon
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Le 7 Restaurant, Arcachon
With a menu composed of classic French dishes, this restaurant is situated just 200 metres from the beach. In a beautiful location among trees, there is also a large sunny terrace.
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Au Pique Assiette Restaurant, Arcachon
Situated just 100 metres from the beach, this restaurant offers a menu full of traditional French dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients. There is also a small wooden terrace.
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Le Patio Restaurant, Arcachon
Situated very close to the seaside, this restaurant features the outstanding creations of chef Thierry Renou. He combines fresh and seasonal products from the region of Gironde and the Bassin d'Arcachon with exotic influences, mainly Asian, gathered along his international travels.
Things to do in Arcachon
The obvious thing to do in Arcachon is to enjoy the many beaches along the coast line, they are wide with white sand and clear waters and offer stunning views of the oceanic basin, the Cap-Ferret peninsula further down the coast to the Great Dune of Pyla.
A visit to the dune itself is a must - you can spend hours climbing this wonderful natural structure and throwing yourself back down at top speed in the safety of the deep sand. Lined on one side with a forest of pine trees, it is met on the other by the Atlantic Ocean.
Much of the coastline is also backed by a wide promenade, offering 15km of cycle path, so if you feel like stretching your legs then hiring a bike is a lovely way to explore the area and to help with your beach selection. If you feel like tackling a little more then there is a total of 150km circumnavigating the entire basin.
Watersports form a major part of the entertainment available on this stretch of coastline, including sailing, kitesurfing, stand up paddle boarding, dinghy sailing, kayaking and much more. And alongside the various water based activities you can also find golf, tennis, horse riding, kids play parks and a skate park...enough to keep everyone happy.
Things To Do in Arcachon
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Arcachon International Golf Course, Arcachon
The course, whose tree lined fairways are set in natural forests of maritime pines, mimosas, oaks and evergreen strawberry bushes, is hilly on the front nine and flatter over the back nine with several water hazards.
Nightlife in Arcachon
Bars & Clubs in Arcachon
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Casino d'Arcachon, Arcachon
The beautiful building of Chateau Deganne was converted in 1904 into a casino. In the early twentieth century Paris and Bordeaux bourgeoisie came to spend the summer in Arcachon. Thus the town had to create distractions - a casino.
Villas in Arcachon
Villas in Arcachon
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Gaume Villa, Pyla-sur-Mer
Villa Gaume is located on the front line a few steps from the famous Dune du Pyla and the Corniche.
Holidays Rentals in Arcachon
Holiday Rentals in Arcachon
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Gaume Villa, Pyla-sur-Mer
Villa Gaume is located on the front line a few steps from the famous Dune du Pyla and the Corniche.
Hotels in Arcachon
Hotels in Arcachon
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La Maison du Bassin
In the shade of the wisteria, La Maison du Bassin offers its guests a complete change of scene and the charm of a family home. An ocean paradise, where nothing seems to have changed since the beginning of time.
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Home Hotel d'Arcachon, Arcachon
Entirely renovated 19th century house, built in the typical local style, Home Hotel d'Arcachon is situated in the heart of Arcachon, just 60 metres from the beach and the new pier, La Jetée de la Croix des Marins.
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La Corniche - La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer
The hotel is located in a beautiful setting by the sea with breathtaking views over the the Bassin d’Arcachon and the dune de Pyla, the highest dune in Europe.
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Hotel Le B d'Arcachon, Arcachon
The hotel is located in the heart of the city, a minute away from the beach and in close proximity to major restaurants and stores. Adjacent to the convention centre and its numerous meeting rooms, Le B d’Arcachon is also a perfect place to host your seminars.
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Hotel des Dunes
Located 50 metres from the ocean dunes, the Hotel des Dunes melts into Cap Ferret's wild landscape. A definite change of scenery.
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Hotel Cote Sable
With a unique view over Arcachon Bay, facing the beach and a few minutes from the ocean, the hotel and its Clarins spa provide a mix of refinement and high tech equipments in its 15 large air-conditioned rooms, each with a different atmosphere.
