Beaches in Bordeaux

Backed by the small town of Carcans Océan, this white sand beach on the western Atlantic coast is a popular surf spot.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This beach is actually supervised during the busy summer months, although you will find that most of the Atlantic beaches are not.

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.

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.

Beach Grand Crohot Lege is accessible by walkways throughout the year, and is supervised by lifeguards from mid June to mid September.

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.

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.

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.

This area offers great views further down the west coast to the nature reserve of banc d'Arguin and the Great Dune of Pyla.

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.