From the Gironde estuary to the Arcachon Bay, dozens of kilometers of sandy beaches await holidaymakers—welcome to the beaches of Gironde! On these beautiful, sprawling beaches, you can swim, surf, or relax under the sun. Indeed, there’s something for everyone. Thrill-seekers will try water sports such as surfing or land sailing (at low tide). Opt for a seaside vacation with your feet in the water and enjoy the vast sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. Since choosing among these beaches can be challenging, we present our top 5 must-visit beaches in Gironde for your camping vacation in the Arcachon Bay.
La Corniche Beach at Pyla-sur-Mer
Famous thanks to the movie "Camping", La Corniche Beach at the foot of the Pyla Dune is worth the detour. The opportunity to climb the dune and enjoy the clear view of the Arguin Sandbank makes it one of the most beautiful beaches in Arcachon Bay. It’s located just a few kilometers from La Teste-de-Buch. Ideal for family vacations, La Corniche Beach has plenty of surprises in store.
The South Beach of Lacanau
Lacanau boasts 15 kilometers of Gironde beaches where surfers revel in the Atlantic Ocean's waves. Perhaps the most beautiful part of this long stretch of sand is South Beach, part of Arcachon Bay’s beaches. Supervised, it’s perfect for water sports like surfing and bodyboarding. A bike park avoids the hassle of using a car. South Beach is the only one in Lacanau to hold the Handiplage label. Don’t miss Lion Beach either.
Pointe aux Chevaux Beach in Grand Piquey
Whether on the Atlantic side or Arcachon Bay side, you’ll find many stunning beaches in Gironde at Cap Ferret and its surrounding villages, like the Américains Beach, Grand Crohot Beach, the beach near the point, or the gorgeous Truc-Vert Beach. But one not to be missed during your vacation is Pointe aux Chevaux Beach. Its location in the bay with views of the Île aux Oiseaux, its almost tropical charm, clear water, and magnificent villas make it a must-visit. It’s a pleasant place to stroll in the shade of trees. For swimming, try Truc-Vert Beach.
La Jenny Beach in Le Porge
Located in the commune of Le Porge north of Arcachon Bay, La Jenny Beach is considered one of the most beautiful in Gironde. It’s a fairly wild beach nestled in a pine forest and bordered by beautiful sand dunes. Note that a part of this beach (the southern part) is reserved for naturists. The northern part (to the right when arriving) is unsupervised but open to all.
Pin Sec Beach in Naujac-sur-Mer
With its Atlantic Wall bunkers, Pin Sec Beach serves as a reminder that beaches haven’t always been places for swimming. This secluded beach, located a few kilometers from the Arcachon Basin, stretches about 4 kilometers and is bordered by dunes hidden by a pine forest. It offers the opportunity to swim or surf far from prying eyes. Close to the charming village of Naujac-sur-Mer, the beach is supervised during the summer, making it a safe place for swimming. All these beaches in Gironde are easily accessible from Domaine de La Forge in La-Teste-de-Buch, near the Arcachon Basin. Whatever your preferences, during your holidays in Gironde, you’ll find several beaches to enjoy memorable moments with family or friends. Have fun, relax, swim, surf, or bodyboard, or marvel at a stunning sunset. However, if you have children, it’s best to choose supervised beaches – and Gironde has plenty of them!