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Apologies for this 'old-fashioned' web page. We are in the process of updating this section of our website - Justin & Alex |
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Arcachon Bay
Alternative Aquitaine's
Destination Guide
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Authentic oyster-fishing villages combined with chic districts and a stunning natural landscape
The Bay is holiday-heaven for 'discerning' Francophiles and especailly those who love to be out on the water.
Covering over 100km of coastline from Pyla Plage, through Arcachon round to Cap Ferret, there are beaches for everyone from toddlers to championship
surfers; pine forests, vast sand dunes, chic towns, historic oyster-farming villages, adventure parks for kids and cycle trails too. Sailors are drawn to the Bay's beautiful waters, as are bird-watchers and nature-lovers too.
The Bay oozes a laid-back, unpretencious style that makes you quickly
feel at home. We love it.
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We've
picked out five 'must-dos' when on holiday in Arcachon Bay:
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| 1 |
Climbing
the Dune de Pilat on a clear day - and the unrivalled views
from the top |
| 2 |
Stroll
around Cap Ferret village, stopping for tea and cannele at
Fredelian |
| 3 |
The
scents
and sounds of the path through the forest and up over the
dune to le Truc Vert beach |
| 4 |
Admiring
the gorgeous villas strolling Arcachon's Winter Town |
5 |
Watching
the sunset from Le Moulleau jetty, Cap Ferret lighthouse winking
as the sun goes down |
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Arcachon Bay caters perfectly both those who unwind by
doing nothing and those who do so by doing those things they
don't have a chance (or the climate) to at home. So if both
these types are in your holiday party, you won't have any
arguments if you come here! Here's a brief guide to keep the
more active ones happy:
Sailing
The bay is a great
place for beginners and more advanced. Arcachon's Port de
Plaisance has its own sailing club from where you can hire
boats to sail the bay, especially the beautiful Ile aux
Oiseaux, a wonderful place to stop off at low tide, or to
view the famous maisons tchanquées - houses on stilts.
Or venture to the mouth of the bay to view the famous Dune
de Pilat and maybe stop off on the sand banks of the Banc d'Arguin.
Surfing
Summer schools for beginners and big breaks
for pros. The surf is reliable throughout the year: le Truc
Vert and le Grand Crohot on Cap Ferret's Atlantic coast are
the most popular spots.
Golf
Two great courses
nearby, at Arcachon International and Gujan
Mestras. Compared to the South of France the courses
are quiet and inexpensive yet the standard is very high.
Nature
The Bay is home to wide variety
of birdlife and consequently is a popular birdwatching destination.
There are birdwatching reserves at nearby Parc Ornotholiqique
du Teich and Ile aux Oiseaux (Bird Island) which
can be visited by boats that depart from the Arcachon jetties.
Canoeing
Aan exceptional way of enjoying
the bay's natural environment is by canoe along the river
Leyre - the 'Petite Amazone'. Guided tours from Belin-Beliet to the delta into the bay.
Vineyards
If
you’re feeling completely ‘beached out’
why not take the opportunity to explore some of the region’s
fine vineyards, such as Margaux, Lafite or Mouton Rothschild.
Shopping
We all like to shop on our holidays
and in Arcachon and Le Cap Ferret you'll have a selection
of fine boutiques to choose from. Or if you really want to
exercise your wallet, spend a day in Bordeaux, just 45 minutes
away by car (or take a train from the Arcachon side of the bay)!
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Arcachon
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, 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. One of our favourites!
Le Cap Ferret
Chic-est spot on
the the Cap Ferret peninsula . 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
at the stylish Tchanque 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), cannelés.
Dune de Pilat
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.
l'Herbe, Le Canon, Piraillan
Traditional and picturesque
100 year-old-plus oyster-farming villages on the bassin coast
of the Cap Ferret peninsula. A stroll among the colourful
'cabanes' (huts) is a delight, great for photographs. Try
stopping to 'déguster' a few oysters direct from the
grower - it's the way the French enjoy them the best!
Le Moulleau
A chic district of Arcachon, about
2km south of the main town, appreciated particularly by Parisien
parents wanting calm for themselves, and somewhere their off-spring
can roam independently but safely. A compact centre with a
market, a few stylish boutiques, cafés and restaurants,
a children's fun-fair and regular ferries over to Cap Ferret
village make it an ideal place to leave the car behind for
a couple of weeks.
Fortfied towns
We
recommend making a day to head inland to experience some of
this region's history: St Emilion, with its
11th century basilica, is the best known of the fortfied towns
around Bordeaux, but can be busy; St Macaire and La Réole are also enjoyable.
Bordeaux
Under an hour away and you can take the hassle-free train from the Arcachon side of the bay. Bordeaux is a good option for
a day-trip, whether it’s boutique shopping, sight-seeing
or culture. The 18th century old town centre
(Quartier St. Pierre) has been totally refreshed in recent years and the city is thriving.
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With
a shoreline in excess of 100 kms it's little wonder that seafood is the speciality of the region. In particular, oysters are the crustacean of choice and there are many oyster huts
('cabanes') and villages throughout the bay.
There are
tasting ('degustation') opportunities all around the bay
and you'll discover all manner of ways of cooking oysters
- to live like a local, try steaming them over a bed of pine
needles!
Of course, every region in France has its speciality
cakes and pastries and thankfully,
Arcachon Bay is no different! You'll find cannelés in every boulangerie and patisserie and it's quite likely
you'll eat several on your holiday here!
Bon appétit.
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