Discover your perfect Bordeaux beach
Explore some of the loveliest beaches in Bordeaux.
Find loads of top tips and local insights in our Bordeaux Beach Guide.
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.
You can enjoy its sports facilities, cycle paths and lawns to relax with your family or friends. Lifeguards from mid June to September, and there are sunshades, beach huts and deckchairs for hire along the strip.
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.
The promenade that runs along behind the beach is full of shops, bars and restaurants and is close to the town centre, should you need to stretch your legs away from the glorious sunshine.
It's also particularly popular with beach volleyball players, so you shouldn't be bored as you sunbathe with that to watch.
From this beach you can access the Ile aux Ouiseax - Bird Island. So named because it plays host to many sea and migratory birds throughout the year. It's also well known for the huts on stilts that surround its coast line.
Lifeguards are on patrol here from mid June to mid September.
Beach Grand Crohot Lege is accessible by walkways throughout the year, and is supervised by lifeguards from mid June to mid September.
In the absence of monitoring an emergency call station is onsite. It's always advisable to take into account the colours of the flags installed by MNS to avoid swimming outside the monitored areas, beware of breaking waves and undertow.
Tiralo's are available in July and August which makes the beach and the water more accessible to wheelchair users as they can use this to access the water in a safe environment.
Access to the beach is free, but wild camping/caravanning, parking of vehicles, dogs (free or on a lead), use of sound equipment and instruments, rubbish dumps, use of fire (day or night) are prohibited on the beach.
The beaches extend to 7km of fine-sand beaches along the Atlantic coast; Centre Beach, South Beach and Amelie Beach making up the most popular and closest to the town.
These three beaches are also monitored by lifeguards during the summer months, so are perfect family beaches.
It's possible to rent beach tents if you're planning to spend the day at the beach and feel you need the shade from the sun...what better way to spend at day by the coast?!
The Truc Vert ocean beach is accessible by walkways April to October, and supervised by lifeguards from mid June to mid September. In the absence of monitoring an emergency call station is on site.
Access to the beach is free, but wild camping/caravanning, parking of vehicles, dogs (free or on a lead), use of sound equipment and instruments, rubbish dumps, use of fire (day or night) are prohibited on the beach.
Tiralo's are available in July and August, which makes the beach and the water more accessible to wheelchair users as they can use this to access the water in a safe environment.
It's advisable to always reflect the colours of the flags installed by MNS to avoid swimming outside the monitored areas, beware of breaking waves and undertow.
Le Porge beach is also known for its large waves and strong undertow, even if the rescuers are not far away, you must remain cautious as you would for many of the ocean beaches.
The Bordelais have often associated it with being a nudist beach...which is not entirely true. If you follow the wooden walkway to the parking entrance then you will find that everyone is in a bathing suit.
But if you are forced to park the car further and use more discreet paths, then you may well be surprised. This is not a 100% naturist beach, but maybe 70%.
Backed by the small town of Carcans Océan, this white sand beach on the western Atlantic coast is a popular surf spot.
The perfect place to enjoy the sun and the beach in laid-back surroundings. It’s a cosy little town with a handful of nice bars and restaurants. Surfing is a very popular activity at Carcans Océan.
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.
Between ocean and forest, it moves from between one and five metres towards the east per year under the influence of prevailing winds and tides, gradually covering the adjoining forest.
Consisting of about 60million m3 of sand, the Dune du Pilat measures between 100 - 115m high, depending on the year. The dune is 2.7km in length and 500m wide.
There is an information point where you can discover more about the area which also hosts free events and exhibitions and offers guided tours. A picnic area with benches, water fountains and litter bins is also available.
During the summer months from April until early November there is also a staircase (160 steps) installed to allow easier access to the summit.
Access to the dune is free. You can park here but parking is paid.
The reception area is available for people with reduced mobility. There are eight disabled parking spaces, toilets, a reception building and tourist information which have all been adapted for disabled access.
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.
Perfect for a family day at the beach as there are numerous shaded areas under the pine trees that litter this coastal area, plus some good children's playgrounds.
It's the perfect point for kitesurfing and windsurfing too as it gets a good breeze from the Atlantic coast.
This beach is actually supervised during the busy summer months, although you will find that most of the Atlantic beaches are not.
With lifeguards on site from mid June to mid September is certainly feels safer, but be warned the water is freezing and there is a strong undertow, so don't stray too far from the shore if you're just going for a paddle and stay within the monitored areas (between the flags). In the absence of the lifeguards there is an emergency call station on site.
This beautiful long beach feels fairly wild and rugged and can be reached using the small train from the ferry terminal on the opposite coast if coming from Arcachon.
Just 12km away from the town of Hourtin, the beach of Hourtin Plage sits on the Atlantic ocean and offers a wide range of watersports for all levels.
As Hourtin is traditionally a family resort you'll find plenty of activities for children. The surf schools and other watersports instructors can introduce you to the waves of one of the most beautiful beaches on the ocean, in complete safety.
This area offers great views further down the west coast to the nature reserve of banc d'Arguin and the Great Dune of Pyla.
Situated right after the Plage des Abatilles as you travel south down the coast, a very beautiful beach although narrower and steeper than some of the others.
A great beach for families who are keen for a swim or just want to enjoy the sunshine with an ice cream, it's also popular with the young party set of Arcachon and you will often find them gathering here after a big night out.
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.
Once the good weather arrives in the spring this beach starts to become popular with sunbathers trying to grab the first few rays, and it's a great stopping point for walkers who are enjoying the the sights of the oceanic basin.
The waters here are clear blue and the sand very fine and white. Due to the width of the beaches running along the stretch, there is certainly plenty of space for everyone so it should never feel too crowded.
A great beach to enjoy with kids...make sure they have their fishing nets with them as there is an abundance of crabs, muscles and eels to play with.
Over time, the wind and ocean currents have gradually created a wall of sand dunes, behind which streams and rivers have allowed the formation of lakes and freshwater ponds.
It makes up one of the largest beach resorts in the Aquitaine and hosts several international sporting events, including the Lacanau Pro (surfing) competition.
Surf is the main focus of the beach here, although it's also a great spot for other beach and water sports and sun bathing.
A protected natural reserve with wild marshes, sand dunes and pine forests, this huge body of water is perfect for outdoor activities such as sailing, swimming, water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing, kite surfing, paddle boarding, or walking and biking along the trails and cycle paths that line the shores of the lake.
Supervised in the summer, the beautiful sandy beaches of Hourtin offer the perfect environment for relaxation, and it's also great for kids, who can enjoy the calm waters of the lake safely.
Awarded the Famille Plus label, the resort of Hourtin is especially good for little ones, with its Children's Island, a 10-hectare leisure park designed for children aged from three months to 12 years old, situated in the lake itself.