Arcachon Overview

One of the most relaxed and beautiful beach towns on the Côte d'Argent (Silver Coast), the thin strip of sand that runs along 200km of France's southern Atlantic seaboard, Arcachon was created a mere 160 years ago by French aristocrats suffering from bad lungs and boredom. It remains a posh resort town, and a hotspot for vacationing families and content retirees. But more than its dozens of beaches, what makes Arcachon worth a daytrip from Bordeaux is the   Dune du Pyla, Europe's highest sand dune and a slice of the Sahara in France. It's an absolute must-see. The Bassin d'Arcachon (bay of Arcachon) is also known for the Banc d'Arguin, a 1000-acre sand bar in the form of a crescent across the waters from the Dune. Pack a picnic lunch, hop the train and prepare to play in white sand and swim in the azure water.

• Orientation

By happy coincidence or clever urban planning, Arcachon's train station and tourist office are on the same block, both on Blvd. du Général Leclerc. The bus to the Dune du Pyla, which is 5km south of ...more

• Accommodations

The siren song of Arcachon might leave you wanting more than a daytrip from Bordeaux. Unfortunately, if you're planning on staying the night, it's tough to find student-friendly prices in the heart of ...more

• Sights

Dune du Pyla, Rising from the edge of a pine forest 5km south of town, the extraordinary Dune du Pyla seems more like a section of the Sahara than a French beach. The 104m mountain of white sand stretches ...more

• Food

There's a daily market ( h Open 7am-1pm.) in the parking lot on Blvd. du Général Leclerc next to the train station. Here, you can stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, deli meats ...more

• Essentials

Tourist Office:The tourist office distributes an excellent tourist guide to the Bassin d'Arcachon in English and French. It also has information about accommodations, restaurants, and things to do like ...more