Your camping holidays in the Arcachon Bay will be the perfect opportunity to explore several natural treasures of the region, such as the Landes forest, the Pilat dune, or the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park. One of the wild and iconic places in the region is located opposite the Arcachon Bay: the Banc d'Arguin National Nature Reserve, a long sandbank where seashells and birds share the space with vacationers coming to sunbathe and swim.
Where is the Banc d'Arguin located?
The Banc d’Arguin, a Natural Wonder of the Arcachon Basin
The Banc d’Arguin is a long sandbank off the coast of the Arcachon Basin, located in the commune of La Teste-de-Buch at the foot of the Pilat Dune on the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches approximately 4 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide. Due to ocean currents, winds, and tides, its position and size change regularly. The reserve also includes the small sand islets between Cap Ferret and the southern channel, as well as the maritime area surrounding these islets. The Banc d’Arguin is, in fact, the exposed part of the land at the entrance of the Arcachon Basin, close to Pyla-sur-Mer, Andernos, Gujan-Mestras, and the Cap Ferret Peninsula. The Banc d’Arguin is renowned for its biodiversity, featuring rare dune vegetation. Its beaches are home to numerous crustaceans, mollusks, and insects. In the water, marine mammals such as dolphins or seals can occasionally be spotted. However, it is mainly a haven for birdwatching throughout the year.
The Banc d’Arguin, a Birdwatcher's Paradise
The Banc d’Arguin is above all a natural reserve due to its ornithological significance. Several bird species come here to rest, reproduce, or spend the winter. Sandwich terns, Kentish plovers, and other species nest on the sandbank to breed. In winter, during high tide, other birds like dunlins or oystercatchers also take refuge here. All year round, the Banc d’Arguin remains a true paradise for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts.
Spend a Day at the Banc d’Arguin
What can you do at the Banc d’Arguin? You can relax in the sun (don’t forget sunscreen and a beach umbrella), swim in crystal-clear waters, or walk barefoot in the sand imagining yourself as Robinson Crusoe, stranded on a Pacific island... Turn towards the mainland, and you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking view of the Dune of Pilat. Take time to enjoy walks along the beautiful sandy beaches of the Atlantic coastline as well. However, it would be a shame to visit the Banc d’Arguin without birdwatching! In July and August, volunteer guides from SEPANSO are available to answer your questions and offer free guided tours of the Banc d’Arguin every Wednesday afternoon. You can also observe birds using a spotting scope at the exhibit cabin. End your day in style by visiting the oyster shacks and savoring the famous oysters of the Arcachon Basin, with your feet in the water at low tide.
How to Get to the Banc d’Arguin
From Domaine de la Forge in La Teste-de-Buch, it’s only a 21-minute drive to the southern part of the Dune of Pilat, where shuttles to the Banc d’Arguin depart all day. The crossing takes 15 minutes and costs €16 for adults and youth aged 13 and over, €12 for children aged 3 to 12, and is free for children under 3. These are round-trip prices. There are also boat excursions that allow you to explore some sites around the Arcachon Basin, including the Banc d’Arguin and the Dune of Pilat. During your camping holiday in the Arcachon Basin, don’t miss the chance to spend a day at the Banc d’Arguin, a unique place that will delight nature lovers in the southwest of France.