Dune du Pilat
Europe's tallest sand dune, a golden sand mountain about 100 m high. On one side are the Atlantic and Arcachon Bay, and on the other, an endless pine forest.
The Dune du Pilat lies south of the entrance to Arcachon Bay. It is about 2.9 km long and 600 m wide, and its height of about 100 to 110 m changes each year with the wind and sand. It is Europe's tallest dune, and it migrates inland several meters a year, gradually engulfing the pine forest. From the top, the Atlantic lies to the west, along with the Banc d'Arguin sandbar at the bay mouth, a bird sanctuary. To the east stretch the Landes pine forests, a striking contrast. At sunset the dune and sea turn golden, and the view is spectacular. From about April to November, a temporary staircase of more than 150 steps is installed to make the climb easier. The rest of the year, you have to climb the sandy slope directly, which is quite tiring. The dune itself is free, but the car park is charged, and there are shops and cafés at the base. Notes: in summer the sand is hot, so bring water, sunscreen and sunglasses. In strong wind, sand particles sting. On the steep western slope, many beaches below are signed as no-swimming zones due to dangerous currents, so please obey the signs. Paragliding is allowed only with licensed operators. Getting there: take the TER from Bordeaux, about 50 minutes to Arcachon station, then a local bus, about 40 minutes, to the dune. Driving from Bordeaux takes about 1 hour, and parking queues are long in peak season.
Opening hours
Open all day (staircase access varies by season)
Nearby sights
- Cap Ferret
- Arcachon Bay
- Cité Frugès – Le Corbusier
- Château Haut-Brion
- Château de la Brède
- Basilica of Saint-Seurin
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux
- Palais Rohan