On the Arcachon basin, you can sail aboard a pinasse or a barge. The choice is yours! Here are a few tips for a unique boat trip during your stay at Camping Ker Helen.
The pinnace, typical and elegant
The pinasse (or pinassote to its friends) is THE emblematic boat of the Bassin d’Arcachon, traditionally used by fishermen and oyster farmers. Recognizable by its sleek, elegant silhouette, this small, flat-bottomed craft, built of pine, is an integral part of the Bay’s maritime landscape.
The use of pinnaces in the Arcachon basin is first mentioned in the 16th century. In fact, it may be even older. The first fishing pinasses were rudderless, sail- and oar-powered, and rowed by two pinasse-men. The largest, at least 7 meters long and fitted with a rudder, took 6 men on board. They competed with fishing rowing boats, and went out to sea to fish for sardines on the Basque coast or in the channels off the Charente coast.
In the second half of the 19th century, the arrival of the train between Bordeaux and La Teste accompanied the boom in seaside tourism. The first tourists discovered the Arcachon Basin and the fee-paying pinasse rides, a success that has never waned to this day.
In the twentieth century, motorization revolutionized the world of pinnaces, bringing about major changes. The rustic pinasse, propelled by wind or oars, evolved into a larger, more robust motorized craft. The first motorized pinasses, known as “pétroleuses”, ran on kerosene. They were up to twelve meters long and carried a crew of 8 to 12 men.
Today, you can hire a pinasse, with or without a skipper, to sail around the Bay of Arcachon, discoverIle aux Oiseaux, the Dune de Pilat, the Banc d’Arguin and the Cap Ferret peninsula (full-day or half-day hire).
Did you know? Every summer, pinnace sailing regattas are organized in the various villages of the Arcachon basin.
Aboard an authentic oyster barge
Also known as a barge, the plate is the other emblematic boat of the Bay of Arcachon. Around 10 m long and 3 m wide, this flat-bottomed barge is still used by oyster farmers to reach their oyster beds from the port.
Robust and easy to maneuver, they are ideal for navigating shallow waters and transporting bags of oysters, as well as shucked oysters. Formerly built of wood, flatboats were operated by sail or oar. Nowadays, the flat boat is made of aluminum alloy or resin, and the fleet is motorized.
Adapted for pleasure boating, some of these oyster boats allow up to a dozen people to cruise the Bassin in complete comfort. There’s a cabin that converts into a berth for children, deckchairs and a large parasol for picnicking on the water, enjoying an aperitif or fishing for sea bream.
As with our pinasse rides, you can discover the Ile aux Oiseaux and its cabanes tchanquées, the Grande Dune du Pilat, the Banc d’Arguin nature reserve, the oyster-farming villages of Cap-Ferret, as well as the Leyre Delta, theIle de Malprat and the port of Biganos.
Practical information :
- Traditional pinasse cruise: departing from Arcachon or Le Moulleau, a grand tour of the Arcachon Basin with a stopover at Cap Ferret (2 h to 7 h trip) – www.bateliers-arcachon.com
- Barge trip: departing from Gujan-Mestras, Le Teich or Arcachon, excursion on the Bassin, tasting packages on board (cruise from 2 h to 6 h) – www.promenade-en-chaland.com