What to do in the Arcachon Bay?
Our Ideas for Outings and Discoveries Around Arcachon Bay
A Thousand and One Ways to Discover Arcachon Bay
Arcachon Bay is a destination easy to fall in love with. Among the must-see attractions are the Dune of Pilat, the "cabanes tchanquées" (stilt cabins), and the Winter Town. Visitors are also drawn to remarkable sites like the Cap Ferret Lighthouse and Point, the Banc d’Arguin, and the many piers. The oyster-farming villages and ports pique the curiosity of visitors, as do the Teich Bird Reserve and, of course, the beaches. From the campsite located on Arcachon Bay, you’ll be ideally positioned to explore the surroundings. Don’t miss tasting the famous Arcachon Bay oysters in one of the many nearby restaurants.
Where Is the Arcachon Bay Located?
Arcachon Bay is one of the marvels of southwestern France. This lagoon lies nearly equidistant between the Adour and Gironde rivers. It is the only lagoon maintaining a direct connection to the Atlantic Ocean, between Cap Ferret and the Arcachon Point. Several destinations surround Arcachon Bay, including the eponymous city and well-known towns like La Teste-de-Buch with its famous port festival, Gujan-Mestras, and Le Teich. Nearby, Andernos-les-Bains and Arès also attract many visitors, especially families with children.
How to Get to the Arcachon Bay?
The TGV is one of the most convenient ways to reach the Arcachon Bay. Daily connections link Paris-Montparnasse to Facture-Biganos (a journey of about 3 hours) and Arcachon (in less than 4 hours). From Facture-Biganos station, Arcachon can be reached in 22 minutes. There are also daily TER connections between Bordeaux Saint-Jean and the town of Arcachon.
The F41 line includes several stops; here are the journey times from the starting point (Bordeaux Saint-Jean) to each locality:
- Bordeaux Saint-Jean – Facture-Biganos: 28 minutes
- Bordeaux Saint-Jean – Le Teich: 33 minutes
- Bordeaux Saint-Jean – Gujan-Mestras: 38 minutes
- Bordeaux Saint-Jean – La Hume: 42 minutes
- Bordeaux Saint-Jean – La Teste: 45 minutes
- Bordeaux Saint-Jean – Arcachon: 50 minutes
It’s worth noting that all towns around the Bay are connected by cycling paths. You can also explore the region by boat, departing from Arcachon, Cap Ferret, or Andernos-les-Bains. Water taxis are available 24/7, catering to travelers seeking more privacy. Visitors can also enhance their trip by renting a motorboat, sailboat, or a traditional "pinasse."
It is also possible to travel around the Bay by bus. In the northern part, line 601 provides daily connections between Lanton and Lège-Cap-Ferret, passing through Andernos-les-Bains and Arès. Line 601 also connects Mios to Andernos-les-Bains via Audenge and Lanton. In the southern part of the Bay, eight bus lines provide daily services between Gujan-Mestras and Arcachon, passing through La Teste-de-Buch. Additionally, eight downtown shuttles run daily between La Teich and Arcachon, stopping at Gujan-Mestras and La Teste-de-Buch. Visit the Baïa website for more information.
Discover the "Cabanes Tchanquées"
What a wonderful experience it is to board a pinasse, a flat-bottomed boat, or a pleasure craft to explore Bird Island and its famous "cabanes tchanquées"! Visitors can enjoy this getaway (departing from the piers of Arcachon Bay) at any time of the year. However, it is recommended to choose high tide, when the boats can get closer to the "cabanes tchanquées."
Visitors can make reservations at the Tourist Office or through the service providers' websites. Private boat charters are also available for those wishing to tour the island. Exploring Bird Island by kayak is another possibility. This experience is all the more enticing as it offers a closer view of the "cabanes tchanquées." The kayak tour lasts two hours, while a boat ride takes three hours, and a combined land-and-sea trek takes four to five hours.
The Typical Villages of the Arcachon Basin
Picturesque ports and villages are scattered around the Arcachon Basin, the most renowned being La Teste-de-Buch, Gujan-Mestras, Biganos, Andernos, and Arès. Visitors are also drawn to the charming village of L’Herbe in Lège-Cap-Ferret, known for its colorful wooden huts and the iconic chapel of the Villa Algérienne. The scenery is all the more captivating with the majestic Dune of Pilat as a backdrop. Just a stone's throw away is the Bélisaire Pier, where traditional pinasses, boats, and barges depart for destinations such as the Banc d’Arguin, Bird Island, or the peninsula’s coastline.
Beaches and the Coastline
The Arcachon Basin is also famous for its expansive fine sandy beaches. The Petit Nice and La Lagune beaches attract numerous surfers and thrill-seekers. The powerful waves also appeal to water sports enthusiasts at beaches such as La Salie in La Teste-de-Buch or Horizon, Truc Vert, Grand Crohot, and Garonne beaches in Lège-Cap-Ferret.