On camping vacation around the Bassin d’Arcachon? Looking for an easily accessible family beach where your kids can play while you take a breather? Then head for Plage Pereire, a long ribbon of sand overlooking Cap-Ferret, which always makes an impression…
Pereire, Arcachon’s family beach par excellence
Fine sand, green lawns, pine-lined paths… Yes, this is the place. Plage Pereire is Arcachon’s great west-side beach! It stretches for three kilometers between the Croix des Marins jetty and the Avenue du Parc Pereire. And as an added bonus, it offers an unobstructed view of Cap Ferret. Who can beat that?
Set back from the city center, adjacent to the “ville de Printemps” and next to the Abatilles beach, Pereire beach is easily accessible by bike or shuttle. It combines the tranquility of a family beach with the amenities of a dynamic seaside resort. Half wild, half urban, it’s the ideal beach for families who want to avoid the crowds of the central beach.
Why families love it so
A friendly, lively beach, Pereire appeals to families and children alike with its green spaces, varied activities, clubs, bars and summer surveillance for days out in complete tranquillity.
An open-air playground
At Pereire, you don’t just lay down your towel. You’ll be running, digging in the sand to build castles, playing snowshoes, flying Frisbees and pedaling along the waterfront. Between the shady lawns where you can relax, the long promenade where cyclists and pedestrians cross paths, the children’s playgrounds and a skatepark just a stone’s throw from the beach, there’s always a good reason to stay longer than planned.
A supervised beach nearby
No big waves here. The beach is protected from the swell by the Banc d’Arguin, making it particularly calm and reassuring for younger visitors. Bonus: it’s supervised in summer, there are showers and toilets, and PRM access makes swimming accessible to all. Practical, isn’t it?
Nearby, you’ll find several bars and restaurants with your feet in the sand! The Club Plage Pereire is a real little corner of paradise, with its refined cuisine and chic atmosphere. And if you’ve forgotten your sun cream, or worse, your swimsuit… you’re not the first, nor the last. Fortunately, the downtown shops are never far away.
Beach clubs & deckchairs
Two beach clubs cater for children (with a special mention for the “Canetons”) while you try out the deckchairs available for hire. Yes, sometimes life is good. For sports enthusiasts, every summer the beach plays host to the Arcachon Beach Rugbya tournament organized by the New Aquitaine rugby league.
See also: Arcachon’s most beautiful beaches
How do you get to the beach from your campsite in Arcachon?
Pereire beach is easily accessible on foot, by bike or by shuttle bus. From downtown Arcachon, head for Boulevard de la Mer. It takes about 5 minutes by car or 10 minutes by bike. And if you’re coming by car, free parking is available nearby. Are you staying at the Ker Helen campsite on the banks of the Arcachon Basin? You’re just a 25-minute drive from the beach.
When to go?
- Morning: calm, soft light, perfect for a yoga session on the beach.
- Low tide: lovely view of the sandbanks, safe for children to swim.
- Late afternoon: peaceful atmosphere, light breeze and sunset over Cap Ferret.
Did you know? The name Pereire comes from the brothers Émile and Isaac Pereire, two great 19th-century financiers and entrepreneurs. They played a major role in the development of Arcachon as a seaside resort. Their name was given to several places in the area, including Avenue du Parc Pereire, Parc Pereire and, by extension, Pereire beach, which borders this part of town, once reserved for a wealthy clientele.