Arcachon Bay
Bassin d'Arcachon
A nearly enclosed inlet on the Atlantic coast, dotted with fishermen's cabins, stilt houses and oyster farms; it is Bordeaux's seaside getaway.
Arcachon Bay is a nearly enclosed triangular lagoon on the Atlantic coast, covering about 155 square km, and is one of France's main oyster-producing areas. The town of Arcachon grew in the 19th century with the arrival of the railway and seawater bathing. It is divided into the seaside 'Summer Town' and the hillside 'Winter Town' (Ville d'Hiver), where colorful villas stand among the pines, ideal for strolling. In the middle of the bay, Bird Island (Île aux Oiseaux) has two stilt houses supported by wooden piles, known as cabanes tchanquées, a symbol of the bay; boat tours circle the island, and ferries run to Cap Ferret on the opposite shore, with its lighthouse and beaches. On the eastern shore, small fishing harbors such as Gujan-Mestras and Andernos have many 'tasting huts' run by oyster farmers, where a dozen oysters with white wine and bread cost about €10–20, much cheaper than in the city. Flat cycling paths connect the bay's towns. Summer beaches are crowded, while the off-season is quieter. Getting there: take the TER from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station, about 50 minutes to Arcachon. The town has ferry and boat docks. It is often combined with the Dune du Pilat on the same day.
Opening hours
Open all day; cruises run more frequently Apr–Oct
Nearby sights
- Cap Ferret
- Dune du Pilat
- Cité Frugès – Le Corbusier
- Château Haut-Brion
- Basilica of Saint-Seurin
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux
- Palais Rohan
- Bordeaux Cathedral & Pey-Berland Tower