This coastal French town draws weekenders with its Atlantic beaches, fresh oyster farms and surrounding pine forests. Popular among Parisians seeking summer escapes.
Arcachon, a coastal town 55 kilometers from Bordeaux, has 7 kilometers of beaches, 19th-century mansions like Villa Toledo and Villa Brémontier, and more than 300 active oyster farms. You'll find Europe's tallest sand dune, the 110-meter Dune du Pilat, next to the town. The four districts - named after seasons - each developed at different times between 1850 and 1880. With water temperatures ranging from 20-24°C in summer and rarely dropping below 10°C in winter, you can swim and sail nearly year-round.
Getting to Arcachon
Take a direct TER train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station, which reaches Arcachon in 45 minutes (âŹ15 one-way). During weekends, TGV trains connect Paris to Arcachon (3.5 hours, from âŹ45). In town, local buses cost âŹ1.70 per ride, or rent a bicycle from Bike'N Tour (âŹ15/day) to explore the area.
The Four Seasonal Districts
The Summer Town contains the main shopping street Rue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, the casino, and a 3-kilometer beach promenade. In Winter Town, you'll find 300 villas on the hills, built between 1862-1875. The Autumn Town includes the fishing port and 300 active oyster farms, while Spring Town has four beaches with water depths under 1.5 meters.
Winter Town's Architecture
The streets of Winter Town contain 300 villas from the 1860s called "Arcachonnaises." Each villa incorporates brick, wood, and stone elements with Swiss-style balconies and Italian loggias. Doctors and entrepreneurs built this district in 1862 as a health resort when pine air was considered therapeutic for tuberculosis patients.
Beaches and Swimming
Four beaches line Arcachon's coast: Plage Pereire (2.5 km long), Plage des Abatilles (1 km), Plage d'Arcachon (central, 800m), and Plage d'Eyrac (500m). Water temperatures reach 20-24°C in summer. The beach slope averages 2-3%, with water reaching 1.5m deep about 50 meters from shore.
Local Food and Markets
The covered market (8am-1pm daily) sells oysters, fish, and local produce. Visit oyster farming cabins in Autumn Town, where farmers serve plates of six oysters for âŹ6-12. Along Boulevard Thiers, restaurants serve moules-frites for âŹ12-15, using mussels harvested that morning from the bay.
Dune du Pilat
Located 8 kilometers south of town, this sand dune rises 110 meters high, stretches for 3 kilometers, and moves inland 5 meters annually. Climb 154 steps to the top for views extending 60 kilometers on clear days. Visit before 10am or after 4pm to avoid crowds and peak temperatures. Entry is free, parking costs âŹ6/day.
Boat Trips on the Bay
Board a pinasse boat at JetĂ©e Thiers pier for bay tours (âŹ25-40, 2-4 hours). Trips pass Bird Island's wooden cabins on stilts, stop at working oyster farms, and circle the Cap Ferret lighthouse. Many tours include six oysters and a glass of white wine.
Cycling Routes
The 30-kilometer cycle path from Arcachon to Biscarrosse runs through maritime pine forests and past coastal lakes. The path has a maximum gradient of 3% and clear signage every kilometer. Rent bikes from shops near the train station (âŹ15-25/day) and pack water - there are few stops between towns.
