123 - Apparts du Phare - 2 bed apt (T3)  Cap Ferret

In our opinion

What makes Appartements du Phare a great holiday rental

The creators of Appartements du Phare have opted to provide modern, stylish accommodation, instead of the 1970s 'boxes' often found on the French coast. The apartments are equipped to a good standard, including comfortable bedding and modern equipment and furnishings, & free WiFi internet access. You are 200m from the area's emblematic lighthouse and 300m-500m from beaches, shops, restaurants and market. Abandon the car and enjoy the 'island-feel' of this unique part of France by bike or on foot...

Best for:
Families and couples looking for an easy, relaxing French beach-based holiday in a stylish corner of Aquitaine.

Suitability for:

• Toddlers - cot & high chair available
• Teenagers - beaches, cafés and nightlife for older teens all within walking distance or short bike-ride
  Reduced mobility - one apartment is on the ground floor and adapted for wheelchair users.

Anything to watch out for?
Kitchen has only a microwave (not an oven), however there are excellent delis at the market, not to mention Cap Ferret's restaurants, so no need to cook! Laundry facilities are shared.

Why Cap Ferret?
Cap Ferret village is one of France's chic-est holiday destinations featuring smart boutiques, cafés and restaurants in a low-rise, laid-back setting - the ambience is casual, relaxed but appreciative of good living. The bay is renowned for sailing & oysters, the Atlantic beach is superb. It's easy to get around. It's an Aquitaine gem.

Accommodation

Two bedroom apartments 300-500m from the beach, shops and restaurants

Thankfully, the creators of Appartements du Phare have opted to provide modern, comfortable, stylish accommodation, instead of the 1970s 'boxes' often found on the French coast.

The apartments are equipped to a good standard, including comfortable bedding and modern equipment and furnishings, including free WiFi internet access. Each apartment also has a balcony or terrace.

The apartments are either at first or second floor level, arranged around an inner courtyard. As well as these 2-bedroom apartments we also have 1-bedroom apartments in a similar style at the same complex.

Inside:

With a total floor space of 50m2, the 2-bedroom apartments include a living area with sofa-bed and chairs, dining table, kitchenette, double bedroom, twin bedroom, shower- or bathroom, WC. Some are 'duplex' (two-storey) apartments, with one bedroom upstairs. Most have small private terrace at garden level. One apartment is adapted for wheelchair users.

Each apartment features a good-sized living-dining room with convertible sofa bed sleeping 2 people (small supplement applies), dining table, and plasma TV. Sliding glass doors open onto the small terrace or balcony.

There is also a modern kitchenette, with hob, microwave-grill, small fridge-freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle and coffee-maker.

Outside:

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

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

In all we think Appartements du Phare offer a good, stylish accommodation for couples and small families wishing to explore this chic, relaxed part of France.

Prices & Availability

Location

GPS: (44.65353933, -1.249399781)

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 · Cycling · Horse-riding · Birdwatching · Fishing · Wine-tasting ·

Day-trip Ideas

* Foot ferry or water taxi to Arcachon & Dune de Pyla
* Stroll around central Bordeaux
* Médoc vineyards and wine-tasting
* St Emilion (UNESCO world heritage site)
* Fishing trip from Cap Ferret jetty

Our Personal Highlights

* Daily shopping in Cap Ferret food market
* Visit the oyster-farming villages and stop for dégustation - Cap Ferret, l'Herbe, le Canon & Piraillan
* Explore Cap Ferret's wonderful forest cycle trails (pick up 250m from the apartments)
* Boat trips around the Bassin and to Dune de Pyla
* Le Petit Train trip across the peninsula is a delight
* Mussels, chips & sauvignon at l'Escale or Chez Hortense - perfect!

The Local Area: Cap Ferret

The Cap Ferret peninsula is a treat for the senses - the scent of the pine forest, the constant rumble of rollers washing up on the western coast, the salty, slippery taste of oysters washed down with a Bordeaux blanc and, at the end of the day, sitting on top of one of the dunes overlooking the Atlantic and watching the sun go down. Bliss!

All these experiences and more are within very easy reach. The Atlantic beach l'Horizon, popular with surfers, is about a 500m away to the west, the bassin d'Arcachon beach at Cap Ferret village, with amazing views over to the Dune de Pyla, is 500m to the east.

On the way you pass through Cap Ferret village, the chic-est spot on the the Presqu'Ile. Smart boutiques, cafes and restaurants in a low-rise, laid-back setting - the ambience is casual, relaxed but appreciative of good living. A couple of 'bonnes adresses': it's worth stopping for a drink the stylish Tchanqué bar of the Hôtel Maison du Bassin (so named after the famous houses on stilts close to the Ile aux Oiseaux) - the address for an 'apéro'; and Fredelian, a salon de thé renowned for its patisseries, especially the local favourite (and ours), canelés.

From the village you can take a ferry over to Arcachon or Le Moulleau, but you'll probably miss your 'desert island' home quite quickly! Or try a boat tour spotting the oyster beds and bird life of the bassin d'Arcachon.

There's also a charming 'petit train' that runs from the jetty on the bassin side over the Atlantic beach on the other side of the pensinsula; the trip takes 10-15 minutes and, especially if you have children, is a delight!

Heading on down to the Pointe is a must, stopping to climb to the top of the famous Cap Ferret lighthouse on the way - the views across the bassin to the sandy wild-life reserve of the Banc d'Arguin and over to the Dune de Pyla (Europe's highest sand dune) are breathtaking.

The famous '44 Hectares' of the Cap Ferret peninsula are situated south of the lighthouse. This is an area of villas built in the earlier part of the century set amongst the pine trees all served by unmade roads, owned by several French stars, Bordeaux vineyard owners and generations of Cap Ferret inhabitants of more modest means. It's probably the most natural, exclusive yet unpretentious housing estate in France and also home to the island's most famous restaurant, Chez Hortense - laid back (what else could it be here?) and popular with France's VIPs.

If you feel the urge to leave the Cap - and many don't while they are here - the famous appelations of Pauillac and Margaux north in the médoc rouge are not far away. There are many vineyards where you can visit and taste some of the famous wines. Two very approachable châteaux are the under-rated (and relatively inexpensive) Château Maucaillou, a medium-sized, family-run estate in Moulis-en-Médoc; there is an interesting museum exhibiting some of the history of wine-making. Or for a very special visit, Château Giscours in the Margaux region organises tastings of various vintages of its grand crus classés.

Around the other side of the basin is Arcachon, a popular French resort; a part of the town known as the Ville d'Hiver (winter town) is well worth strolling to see the quirky architecture of its many 19th century villas.

South of Arcachon is the famous Dune du Pyla, 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.

If you're feeling beached out, Bordeaux is about an hour away and is a good option for a day-trip, whether it’s boutique shopping, sight-seeing or culture. Medieval gems of the Gironde east of Bordeaux are also wonderful days out; St Emilion, with its 11th century basilica, is the best known but can be busy - get there early!

Customer Reviews

“The property met our expectations. Your rating matched the apartment.”

Mrs P Mulligan, stayed in 2010

“Had exactly the same apartment as last year and that was just what I wanted.”

Mrs Coleman, stayed in 2009

“Rather better than I expected. Functional, very good location and the caretaker was absolutely charming and very helpful.”

Mr G Kingscote, stayed in 2009

“Nice modern, clean apartment. Good value for a family of four. The area is beautiful and we enjoyed some great food and meals.”

Mr Skinner, stayed in 2011