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Major sites in the Arcachon Bay

Once you’ve taken the time to visit Gujan-Mestras, there are other must-see sites on the Bassin d’Arcachon waiting for you! It’s hard to choose between all the emblematic sites on the Bay, but here’s a list of just a few of them.

La Dune du Pilat

The highest dune in Europe (over 103m high, 600m wide and 3km long) offers a striking contrast to the forest, sand and ocean, and is in constant motion as the wind blows it.

Walk the entire length of the dune back to the beach and discover a magnificent unmarked walking trail.

Click on the link below to check real time parking lot occupancy.

Arcachon The Winter City

Discover the Ville d’Hiver,Arcachon ‘s historic district with its sumptuous 19th-century villas. Away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches, wander through the narrow streets in search of the most beautiful villas and stroll through the Parc Mauresque to theSainte Cécile observatory, where you’ll enjoy a splendid view.

Le Teich The bird sanctuary

Take a stroll along a path dotted with bird-watching huts, where 300,000 birds pass through each year.

Tip: the best time to visit the reserve is at high tide.

The Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula

Take a stroll around the Cap-Ferret peninsula, and discover the lighthouse, the many oyster-farming villages and the ocean beaches.

The commune boasts a total of 9 oyster-farming villages from Claouey to Cap Ferret, the main ones being L’Herbe (with its magnificent Algerian villa chapel), Canon and Piraillan.

Andernos-les-Bains

Step back in time at Andernos-les-Bains: visit the 11th-century Romanesque church and the remains of the Gallo-Roman villa.

Andernos-les-Bains on the Bassin d’Arcachon is a great place to get away from it all! The natural site of the Quinconces, between the oyster port of Andernos and the Saint Brice bathing basin in Arès, is home to an exceptional diversity of landscapes and environments.
A nature guide can suggest tours.

Andernos-les-Bains regularly hosts markets where you can buy local produce, including seafood, wines and regional specialties.

The town organizes a number of events throughout the year, including music festivals, night markets and local fêtes.

Les cabanes tchanquées

The cabanes tchanquées are emblematic structures located on Île aux Oiseaux in the Arcachon Bay. These cabins on stilts have become iconic symbols of the region.

The cabanes tchanquées were built at the end of the 19th century by oyster farmers. The term “tchanqué” comes from the Gascon “tchanque”, meaning “stilt“.

Initially, these huts were used to watch over the oyster beds. Oyster farmers used them as shelters to monitor tides and weather conditions.

By boat or sea kayak, discover the famous cabanes tchanquées, majestic in the heart of the Bay of Arcachon, and take a tour of Ile aux oiseaux!

On foot, by bike or by boat, come and enjoy the iodized air of the Bay of Arcachon in all seasons!