119 - Villa d'Este (2 bedroom apt, T3)  Arcachon (200m)

In our opinion

What makes Villa d'Este a great holiday rental
We've been looking for modern, spacious, good quality accommodation in central Arcachon for years, and are delighted at last to find somewhere that fits the description, Villa d'Este.

Best for:
Couple and families looking for an easy sea-side holiday in good quality surroundings; also suitable for those wanting a car-free holiday.

Suitability for:

• Toddlers - although no outdoor garden space there is a lovely nearby park (entrance 50m); toddler friendly beaches in Arcachon; baby equipment available
• Teenagers - good location for teens to roam independently
• Reduced mobility - single-storey apartments available 
  

Anything to watch out for?
The lift serves some but not all apartments.

Why Arcachon?
Arcachon is an all year round sea-side town that's hugely popular with French families and it's easy to see why: exceptional sandy beaches, long, picturesque sea-front promenade, a manageable size - shops, bars, restaurants, small casino, even the train station - all within easy walking distance. All topped off by Arcachon's signature architecture, exemplified by the Winter Town's magnificent villas which feature stained glass, ornate balconies and intricate brickwork, built over 100 years ago for the town's first holiday-makers. Arcachon is one of our favourite Aquitaine destinations.

Accommodation

Modern, spacious, good quality 2 bedroom apartment in central Arcachon, walking distance to shops, restaurants and central beach

While most French apartments on the coast tend to be compact and functional, this is not the case at Villa d'Este - much thought has been given to providing modern, comfortable, stylish accommodation. As well as these 2-bedroom apartments, we also offer 1 and 3 bedroom apartments in a similar style within the same building.

The apartments are equipped to a very good standard, including comfortable bedding and furnishings. Each apartment also has a balcony or terrace.

The apartments are either at first or second floor level, arranged around an inner courtyard. Some are on one level, others on two levels.

Inside:

With a total floor space of 70m2, the apartment includes a double bedroom, twin bedroom, bathroom, and WC. Some are 'duplex' apartments, with an upper mezzanine level. Some apartments have further shower room and 2nd WC.

Each apartment features a spacious living-dining room with convertible sofa bed sleeping 2 people, dining table seating 4-6, and TV. Sliding glass doors open onto the terrace or balcony.

There is also a well-equipped, open-plan kitchen, with oven/hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washer-dryer, toaster, kettle and coffee-maker.

One T3 'Superior' apartment is also available, slightly larger (83m2) and with bathroom + shower room. (Add 80 EUR pw in July & August, 40 EUR pw the rest of the year.)

Outside:

Each apartment has a balcony or terrace with outdoor table and chairs. One secure ground-floor parking space is reserved per apartment free-of-charge.

Optional supplements are also available.

There is a part-time reception service on the ground floor and there is a good tourist office in the town.

Prices & Availability

Location

GPS: (44.65962948, -1.171293855)

We endeavour to be as accurate as possible using Google maps but some error is possible.

Things to Do & See

Nearby Activities
Surfing · Kitesurfing · Windsurfing · Sailing · Water-skiing · Jet-skiing · Kayaking · Golf · Cycling · Horse-riding · Birdwatching · Fishing · Degustation · Aqua Parc ·

Day-trip Ideas

• Take a foot ferry to Cap Ferret, & 'Petit Train' to l'Horizon beach
• Climb the Dune de Pilat
• Take a tram ride around Bordeaux
• Tour the Médoc vineyards wine-tasting
• Stroll around St Emilion (UNESCO world heritage site)

Our Personal Highlights

• Evening stroll around the Parc Mauresque, Ville d'Hiver and Belvedere
• Take the water shuttle to Cap Ferret for dinner at l’Escale or Chez Hortense
• Watch the sunset from the top of the Dune de Pyla
• Any day on Periere beach – one of the nicest this side of the Bay
• Boat tour around the Ile aux Oiseaux, oyster beds and Maison Tchanquées

The Local Area: Arcachon (200m)

Arcachon is an all year round sea-side town that's hugely popular with French families and it's easy to see why: exceptional sandy beaches, long, picturesque sea-front promenade, a manageable size - shops, bars, restaurants, small casino, even the train station - all within easy walking distance. All topped off by Arcachon's signature architecture, exemplified by the Winter Town's magnificent villas which feature stained glass, ornate balconies and intricate brickwork, built over 100 years ago for the town's first holiday-makers. Arcachon is one of our favourite Aquitaine destinations! 

Less well-known are Arcachon's southern districts such as Pereire and Le Moulleau, both a short bike-ride or free bus-journey from Villa d'Este. Each offers quieter beaches than those found in central Arcachon and, for those with smaller children and a lot of equipment, easier car-parking. Pereire beach (2 kms from the apartments) is regarded by locals as the most attractive around.

Ferries run from Arcachon and Le Moulleau to a host of destinations including Cap Ferret, a stylish resort on the other side of the Basin at the point of the peninsula of the Presqu'Ile de Cap Ferret. The 'petit train' runs from close to the jetty on Cap Ferret over to the magnificent rollers of the Atlantic beach on the other side of the peninsula, a wonderful trip, especially for children. Or, without kids, why not have dinner and return on the late evening ferry?

The Banc d’Arguin sits at the foot of the famous Dune du Pyla, 5 kms south of Arcachon, the largest sand dune in Europe, standing at over 100 metres. A journey to the summit (try it without the staircase provided!) is a must; sunrise and sunset are the best times.

Back into Arcachon, stroll along the seafront - at night you'll see Cap Ferret's Phare (lighthouse) shining across the bay, a beautiful, romantic sight. A short walk from Villa d'Este, through the Parc Mauresque is the delightful Ville d’Hiver (Winter Town), well worth exploring for its fabulous collection of eclectic villas. The Parc Mauresque offers plenty of shade to cool off in the shade, and a chance to watch the locals play petanques and enjoy the view over to the Ville d'Eté (the summer town, the main resort district of Arcachon) below and to the sea beyond. A fascinating walk leads from the Parc to the 'Belvedere', a viewing platform with magnificent 360 degree views of the town.

The Arcachon Basin is packed full of oyster farms and you will have no difficulty finding these delicacies to dine on in one of the town’s many seafood restaurants. Or head to Gujan-Mestras (France's oyster-farming capital) or one of the villages on the Presqu'Ile (l'Herbe is recommended) and 'déguster' a few at the water's edge direct from ostréiculteur (oyster farmer).

The Basin is also home to wide variety of birdlife and consequently is a popular birdwatching destination. In fact, there are birdwatching reserves at nearby Parc Ornotholigique du Teich and Ile aux Oiseaux (Bird Island) in the basin which can be visited by boats that depart from the Arcachon jetties.

As a change from the sea-side, a little further down the coast there is bathing in Sanguinet and Biscarrosse lakes - with no ocean currents to worry about and the forest setting providing plenty of shelter, these are especially popular with families with young children.

Customer Reviews

“It was a super flat in a great location.”

Mrs P Connellan, stayed in 2010

“The location was perfect, within easy reach of seafront, shops, station and the ville d'Hiver. The apartment was well equipped but felt a little bare.”

Mrs P Lewis, stayed in 2010

Mrs W Hopkins, stayed in 2009

“An ideal location, with a very good holiday apartment. The apartment was spacious, light and reasonably well furnished, overall we felt it was excellent value for money. It was in a quiet street but just 2 minutes from the centre. Great area for us, the apartment was a few minutes from shops and restaurants. Around Arcachon there was lots to keep a family with 14 and 11 year old boys very happy. We want to go back for a longer holiday - one week wasn't enough!”

Mrs S Williams, stayed in 2011

“Extremely comfortable, very clean, pretty well equiped and in an excellent location. Rooms were more spacious than expected and local agent on site friendly and helpful. A perfect location, a 5 minute stroll to beach, restaurants, local amenities. A very safe feel to the resort, perfect for the 2 teanagers that we had with us to be able to go off on their own. Fabulous beaches, Dune de Pyla well worth a visit. The children loved the water park. ”

Mrs J Maxwell, stayed in 2011

Mr Pettersen, stayed in 2011

Mrs Vowles, stayed in 2011