Le Bassin d’Arcachon (Arcachon Bay) has become one of the most popular destinations in France with more than half a million visitors in the summer alone. While some rent a house close to the beach, most tourists go there for day trips from Bordeaux, which is located about an hour’s drive from the bay.
Arcachon Bay is quite a big place with plenty of villages and attractions so how do you choose where to go? That’s what I’m here for! In this article, I will introduce you to some of the best destinations for a day trip or a weekend in Bassin D’Arcachon. The places with the most unique atmosphere, the best beaches, interesting activities for you and your kids, and spots to taste Arcachon’s famous oysters.
Note – If you don’t want to go through the whole planning process, you also have a guided tour from Bordeaux to Arcachon that includes a visit to the dune and oyster tastings.
Understanding Arcachon Bay
For a more active day, I’d usually go to the southern part of the bay where you can climb the incredible Dune de Pilat, go kayaking, or learn surfing. The heart of the Bassin is the less touristy and more unspoiled part – so if you’re in the mood for a more quiet day in nature, that is your direction.
We can roughly divide the bay into three parts, the north-west (Cap Ferret), the south, and the heart of the Bassin. When I’m in the mood for a beautiful village and eat oysters I tend to go to the northern part of Arcachon Bay. There, you have the most charming villages on the Arcachon Bay like L’herbe, Le Canon, Andernos les Bains, and others.
Best places to visit in Arcachon
Arcachon – the city
Arcachon, one of the most visited places in Arcachon Bay is a proper town, rather than a scenic village. If you’re looking for a more dreamy isolated beach, this is not necessarily where you should go. But it’s a fun, lively destination with plenty of things to do and the easiest one to get to.
The town also offers plenty of outdoor activities from jet skiing, to surfing, kayaking, and cruising as well as renting a bike, or an electric scooter. As it’s relatively a big town with several neighborhoods to visit, I have a detailed guide with plenty of recommendations for activities and places to eat in Arcachon. So be sure to read it before going there!
A visit to Arcachon can easily take the whole day but many tend to combine it with a visit to the Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe and one of the most popular destinations in France (next on our list).
How to get from Bordeaux to Arcachon: A train leaves almost every hour from the main station in Bordeaux or Pessac center. Beware that parking is not always easy to find in Arcachon so during the summer, it’s better to take the train. More details about parking in my article about Arcachon.
The Magnificent Dune du Pilat in Teste de Buch
If there’s one thing in this list I consider a “must” it’s definitely this one. The gigantic dune with its 60 million metric cubes of sand, is one of the wonders of our region! Dune du Pilat is Europe’s tallest dune, rising to an impressive 110 m high. It’s also 500 meters wide and 2.7 km long so you’ll have plenty of room to wander.
You can climb the dune by stairs that are installed from the end of May to early November. If you come during the low season or just feel energetic, you can just climb straight up the sandy slopes. Once you reach the top, a stunning panoramic view will be revealed with the Cap Ferret peninsula on one side, a huge pine forest on the other, and the magnificent Banc d’Arguin nature reserve just in front. You can then slide to the other side and go straight to the beach.
If you’re not in a rush you can easily spend the day here, have a nice picnic, and swim in the crystal clear water. It’s hard to describe the beauty of this site in words, you really must see it for yourself.
How to get from Bordeaux to Dune du Pilat: by public transport, take line 3 (Baia company) from the Arcachon train station to Dune to Pilat. Otherwise, you can get there by car and park in the paid parking of the site.
Andernos les Bains – a perfect day trip to the Arcachon Bay
Andernos les Bains is not a prime tourist destination like some of its better-known neighbors on the Bassin d’Arcachon and that, in a way, makes it even more attractive. With an ancient prehistoric site, 19th-century villas, and a long sandy beach overlooking the Bassin, this seaside resort promises a delightful day.
Like other towns on the Bay, Andernos les Bains is also known for oyster farming and seafood restaurants in general, mostly in the port district. My favorite spot for oysters is Cabane 21 Station des Gus, which is also very kid-friendly. The town is also known for its fun events and festivals such as the Festival Cabanes en Fête (the oysters festival) in December and the Andernos Jazz Festival in July.
How to get from Bordeaux to Andernos les Bains: The best way to get there is by car but if you have no other choice you can also take Bus 601 (Trans Gironde) from Bordeaux center. See my list of things to do in Andernos les Bains here.
L’Herbe – the best-hidden gem on the Arcachon bay
L’herbe is a traditional oyster-farming village located on the Cap Ferret Peninsula. Here, you won’t find the typical features of a French village—no church, no central square with a bakery and restaurant. Nonetheless, it’s undeniably one of the most beautiful villages in the southwest of France.
L’herbe has a raw and authentic charm. Stroll among colorful oyster farmer cabins and watch them at work on their unique boats. If you love oysters, this is your spot. Beachfront restaurants serve the freshest oysters, pork pâté, and white wine. Perfect for a sunny half-day trip from Bordeaux, or a full day if you visit the beach too.
How to get from Bordeaux to L’herbe: Same as with Andernos les Bains, a car is the best way to get here. But if you have no choice you can also take Bus 601 (Trans Gironde) from Bordeaux center (takes about two hours to get there by bus).
Cap Ferret – dreamy beaches and the best oysters on the Arcachon Bay
Cap Ferret is a little town in the southern part of the Cap Ferret Peninsula. Traditionally a summer retreat for the French upper class, it has recently gained popularity among tourists visiting the south of France. Despite this, it retains its relaxing beach village charm, especially when compared to the busier southern towns of Arcachon Bay.
Apart from its dreamy beaches, the Cap Ferret Peninsula is also known for its ostréiculture industry, producing some of the best oysters in France. Dozens of oyster cabins and restaurants with a view of the Bassin give Cap-Ferret a unique character worth a visit and a taste.
Other fun activities in Cap Ferret are biking along the beaches and through the pine forest and surfing (you can take surfing lessons). You can read about all the best things to do in Cap Ferret in My detailed Cap Ferret guide.
How to get from Bordeaux to Cap Ferret: The same 601 bus can take you to Cap Ferret but it’ll take you at least two hours to get there, so a car is definitely a better option. Traffic on the Cap Ferret road can be very heavy in the summer months so try to leave very early.
Lanton – a beautiful promenade
If you’re looking for a peaceful place for a long walk, Lanton is perfect. Start at Plage de Suzette, a small port with a few restaurants, and follow the trail by the boats. The view changes dramatically with the tide, making it feel like a beach walk or an apocalyptic desert. Escape the summer crowds and enjoy the magical scenery and tranquility of Lanton.
The birds’ reserve in Teich
The Teich Ornithological Reserve is a protected nature reserve located some 50km from Bordeaux, where you can watch thousands of wild birds from up close. 110 hectares of wooded areas, salt marsh, reed beds, and meadows stretch out between the mainland and the Bassin d’Arcachon coastline, offering a perfect habitat for many birds. Some stay here permanently and some just pass by.
The Teich Bird Reserve is explored on foot along a 6 km long circular path (with a shorter route proposed to visitors with young kids). The path goes through a rich diversity of natural habitats, giving a great overall picture of the site and its surrounding areas. I would highly advise taking a binocular with you. Many of the birds stay quite far from the designated Viewpoints and are just too distant to observe. Doing the same route with a binocular made the visit much more interesting in my view.
The Reserve Ornithologique du Teich is open all year long except on December 25, and can even be reached by train (the Teich train station is located about 15 minutes walk from the reserve).
Gujan Mestras – the capital of oysters
Gujan-Mestras is the oyster farming capital of the Bassin d’Arcachon. With seven oyster ports to explore, you can watch oyster farmers at work or even join them for a few hours. Check the tourist office website for participating farmers. Visit the “Maison de Huitre,” an interactive museum dedicated to oyster farming, and savor the freshest oysters at the cabanes along the coastline, especially at the famous Port de Larros.
Gujan-Mestras also boasts Plage de la Hume, a beautiful, kid-friendly beach with calm waters due to its sheltered position on the bay. The town hall hosts numerous events for kids and adults in the summer. Visit their website for more information.
How to get to Gujan Mestras? The same train that goes to Arcachon also stops in Gujan Mestras so you can easily get there by train if you don’t want to drive.
These are some of my favorite spots on Arcachon Bay, and I hope it will encourage you to get out and spend at least one day in this magical place.
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