You want to visit Arcachon and learn all the things to see in Arcachon ? As a local’s guide, here is my top 5 things to see in Arcachon !
Nestled between moorland and ocean, this concentrated slice of nature surprised me, transported me and charmed me immensely. So if you’re wondering what to do to visit the Arcachon Basin in three days, follow the guide! In this blog post, I’ll tell you about my wonderful discoveries between Arcachon, a boat trip on the basin, a bike ride to Cap Ferret, and a visit to the small ports of the basin!
Let’s go!
TOP THINGS TO SEE IN ARCACHON : PRACTICAL TIPS
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How to get to Arcachon ?
Arcachon is located 1 hour from Bordeaux and 2 hours from Bayonne by car. By train, it takes 50 minutes from Bordeaux on the TER.
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Where to stay to visit the best things to see in Arcachon ?
Accommodation (hotels, campsites, etc.) right next to Arcachon is naturally in high demand, so it can be difficult to find good prices during peak season! Don’t hesitate to check out Biganos and Gujan-Mestras for more affordable accommodation that is still close to the Arcachon basin!
3 recommended accommodations to visit the best things to see in Arcachon
GRAND HÔTEL RICHELIEU
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- On the beach
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- Center of Arcachon
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- From 120€
HÔTEL LA CO(O)RNICHE
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- Closest of Dune du Pilat
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- Breathtaking view
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- From 230€
VILLA MARY
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- Quiet and green
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- Rated 9,7 out of 10
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- From 190€
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Getting around the Arcachon basin
Compare car rentals to find the best price!
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Organizing your time to visit Arcachon
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What to bring back from the Arcachon Basin?
It’s difficult to bring back oysters, but there are plenty of canned seafood products and marine souvenirs. Be careful, though, as the shops near the sea in Arcachon are very touristy… And for those with a sweet tooth, Alain Guignard’s cannelés and Pascal’s dunes blanches (Cap Ferret) are always a treat!
TOP THINGS TO SEE IN ARCACHON : VILLE D’HIVER
One my favorite things to see in Arachon is the Ville d’hiver or “winter town” district. So let’s take a stroll through the “winter town” district! Arcachon is divided into four large areas, each named after a season. And the winter town wins the gold medal: it’s absolutely wonderful! Perched on the heights of Arcachon, with a bird’s eye view of the basin, the winter town is home to some beautiful villas. It’s an unmissable holiday destination that has inspired a range of architectural works that are as diverse as they are elegant.
The tourist office offers a remarkable tour to admire the most beautiful villas. Along the way, you will discover very different styles, with houses inspired by ancient villas, Moorish villas, and even alpine chalets!
But they all have certain things in common: a certain elegance, their enormous size and the discreet charm of villas hidden away in the greenery. The winding, shady lanes of the winter town truly conceal many treasures behind their white wooden or wrought-iron fences…
My favorite villas? Villa Teresa, Villa Marguerite and Villa Vincenette!
Don’t miss the Sainte-Cécile observatory, which offers a panoramic view of the villas and the basin. Right next to it is a pretty wrought-iron footbridge perched among the trees… This is the only clue that all the villas are actually built on dunes, which explains the hilly landscape of the winter town!
Practical information – ville d’hiver tour: the guide is available from the Arcachon tourist office
TOP THINGS TO SEE IN ARCACHON : THE OYSTER VILLAGES
The Arcachon Basin is dotted with numerous oyster farming villages, as oysters are one of the region’s specialties. My two favorites are right next to Arcachon: Gujan-Mestras and Biganos!
Gujan-Mestras is one of the top things to see in Arcachon : it is a little unusual in that it has no fewer than seven ports! Each has its own character, style, and activity, so don’t hesitate to explore them all! My favorites are the ports of Gujan and La Mole.
In the early morning, when the sun covers the huts with its soft light, or a little later when the ports come to life, you can’t help but be charmed by these typical scenes of the basin. I really enjoyed the lively atmosphere of these small ports: you can feel all the bustle of the oyster farmers at work. There are 330 of them in the basin, mainly for raising spat (baby oysters)!
It’s also an opportunity to observe the daily life of these passionate people and discover some of their expertise. Scrap metal, tiles, and flat-bottomed boats are part of the landscape here.
TOP THINGS TO SEE IN ARCACHON : SUNSET FROM THE DUNE DU PILAT
TOP THINGS TO SEE IN ARCACHON : A BOAT TRIP ON THE BASIN
As you sail along, you will discover the Île aux Oiseaux, a huge strip of land at low tide, then the famous cabanes tchanquées, huts perched on stilts. In the time of Napoleon III, these huts were actually used by the basin’s guardians!
The boat then sails along the coastline of Cap Ferret, allowing you to discover the pretty villages from the sea before visiting them on land! This will be an opportunity to hear several anecdotes about the seahorses that inhabit the seabed around the villages, as well as the French flags planted at the edge of the dream villas, which were used to indicate whether the sailor owner was at sea or at home! I’ll let you imagine why… 😉
And would you have thought that in Arcachon, when you register the birth of a child at the town hall, you also take the opportunity to put them on the waiting list for a place in the port? There’s a 40-year wait! Incredible, isn’t it?
You can then disembark at the Bélisaire pier to explore Cap Ferret, or stay on board to complete the loop back to Arcachon. On the way back, you’ll also have a magnificent view of the Dune du Pilat rising up in the distance! The perfect way to reminisce about the wonderful memories of the day before…
Tourist boat trip on the Arcachon Basin: details and prices on the Arcachon boatmen’s website – 2-hour trip: 22€ – 17€ (reduced rate)
TOP THINGS TO SEE IN ARCACHON : CAP FERRET
VISIT ARCACHON AND ITS BASIN – WHAT TO DO IN THE SURROUNDING AREA?
Biscarosse (40 minutes away): known to surfing enthusiasts, this seaside resort offers an exceptional setting between beaches, pine forests, and large lakes. A must for nature lovers!
Bordeaux (55 mins): capital of Nouvelle Aquitaine, Bordeaux is a beautiful city renowned for its architecture, museums and relaxed lifestyle. Located in the heart of wine country, it also has a lot to offer in terms of local produce! To find out more, check out my article “Best things to visit in Bordeaux : a local’s guide”!
Coming soon on La Marinière en Voyage…
Discover a new and exceptional department: Tarn-et-Garonne, a getaway to the Côtes d’Armor, a visit to the pretty town of Amiens, and many other places! So, to make sure you don’t miss a thing, subscribe to the newsletter!
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