Within walking distance from the house is the small, chic beach-side district of Le Moulleau. Its outdoor cafés and bars provide an ideal opportunity to while away the hours and watch the fashion-conscious walk in and out of the nearby boutiques. Le Moulleau offers a variety of everyday shops including bakery, butcher and fishmonger. There is a pedestrian zone leading to the beach, perfect for a stroll before dinner at a local restaurant. At night, you can stroll along Le Moulleau's jetty to watch the sunset as the Phare du Cap Ferret (lighthouse) winks at you from the other side of the bassin. It's an unforgettable scene.

For the more active, Le Moulleau has its own sailing club from where you can hire boats to sail the Bassin and the beautiful Banc d’Arguin, a sand-bank nature reserve that is a wonderful place to stop off for an hour or so. Bikes can be hired locally and there are cycle routes along the seafront.

Arcachon is a popular French resort and provides plenty of options for visitors. 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, 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 or through the delightful Ville d’Hiver (Winter Town) and explore its fabulous collection of eclectic villas. There is also a lovely park to cool off in the shade and watch the locals play petanques. 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 Ornotholiqique 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.

If you’re feeling completely ‘beached out’ why not take the opportunity to explore some of the region’s vineyards, such as Margaux, Lafite or Mouton Rothschild.

Golfers are spoilt for choice; there are two great courses nearby, at Arcachon International and Gujan Mestras (the latter has been used on the European PGA Tour). There are numerous cycle tracks, and opportunities for horse-riding. For children, Zooland and Aqualand are nearby.

The city of Bordeaux is an hour away and is a good option for a day-trip, whether it’s boutique shopping, sight-seeing or culture. Walking around the 18th century old town centre (Quartier St. Pierre), you can begin to imagine the city’s commercial and maritime past.

For further information try the links below. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for the content of third party sites.

Arcachon Tourist Office
Bordeaux Tourist Office
Gironde Tourist Office
Wines of Bordeaux
French National Tourist Board