Just 3 km from our Ker Helen campsite in the south of the Arcachon Basin, Gujan-Mestras is a charming stopover offering a complete change of scenery between sea and forest in the heart of the Pays de Buch. It’s also the oyster-farming capital of the Arcachon Basin! Discovery.
Gujan beach and its panoramic view of the Arcachon basin!
If it’s the beach that brings you to Gujan-Mestras, you’ll love Plage de La Hume! Situated near the marina in the tourist district of La Hume, this pretty stretch of fine sand bordered by pine and tamarisk trees is very popular with families, as swimming is supervised during the summer months. Plage de La Hume is also a popular kitesurfing spot in Gironde. At low tide, surfers give up the beach to fishing enthusiasts, who scour the foreshore in search of shellfish and crustaceans.
The coastal path
Take advantage of your camping vacation near Gujan-Mestras to get a breath of fresh air on the coastal path! During the summer, guided tours are offered every week by the tourist office. Ideal for discovering the local cultural heritage and exploring the great diversity of the basin’s natural environments, from foreshore to oyster ports, mudflats and salt meadows.
Lake Magdeleine
In the heart of the pine forest, Lac de la Magdeleine is the perfect place to spend quality time with family, friends or loved ones. You’ll love picnicking in the shade of the pines, walking or cycling around the lake, or carp fishing. Children can play in the playground or take a donkey ride between the lake and the forest. Along the way, stop off at the mini-port with its terrace to quench your thirst, or take a boat trip on the lake!
A stopover in an oyster shack
With no less than 7 ports, Gujan-Mestras is considered the oyster capital of the Arcachon Basin. To find out all you need to know about oyster farming, take a detour to the Maison de l’Huître, followed by a gourmet stopover in one of the 12 tasting huts that open in the spring in the various ports of Gujan-Mestras. With buttered rye bread and a glass of traditional Tariquet white wine, it’s a pure delight!
A stroll around the port of Larros
Continue your walk towards the port of Larros, famous for its huts and shipyards. The Couach shipyard is internationally renowned for its luxury yachts and military launches. A little further on, the Dubourdieu shipyard, a virtuoso of traditional construction, is France’s oldest shipyard. Continue on to Christ’s Pier, offering a magnificent view of the entire basin!
For children: The Gujan ladybug!
With its playgrounds, rides and attractions galore, the “La coccinelle” amusement park is a real paradise for children. Europe’s first park dedicated to pets and childhood, it features a mini-farm for petting animals and bottle-feeding baby goats, thrill rides such as the splash river and the mine train, not forgetting the flying ladybugs (the ladybug is the emblem of the town of Gujan-Mestras!). There are also inflatable games, zip lines and much more… something for all tastes and ages!
photo : © David Remazeilles (Gironde Tourisme)