Pack your rucksack, shoes and camera and set off for a walk on the Cap Ferret peninsula. To inspire you, here are a few ideas for itineraries to get a breath of fresh air and blend in with nature during your camping holiday on the banks of the Bassin d’Arcachon.
In the salt meadows nature reserve at Arès
A bucolic stroll between the wooded dune and the sea! Located in the northern cove of the Bay of Arcachon, theArès-Lège-Cap-Ferret Nature Reserve is the largest expanse of salt meadows inAquitaine.
Classified as a Natura 2000 area, the reserve is home to an extremely rich flora and fauna, with over 250 species. It forms a 200-hectare natural enclave in a highly urbanized landscape. Herons, egrets, geese, ducks, black kites, blackbirds and bluebirds can all be seen here. It’s also not uncommon to spot a pair of otters, a cistude turtle basking in the sun or a green tree frog leaping from the reeds. Keep your eyes peeled!
- Sentier du Littoral des Prés-Salés d’Arès: 2 km (40-minute walk)
- Departure point: the oyster port ofArès or the Résinier hut in Lège-Cap Ferret
The Piraillan Reservoirs, a haven of peace and nature
Welcome to Terra Incognita! Just outside the village of Grand Piquey, the Piraillan reservoirs stretch over 40 hectares of salt water and wooded islets, under the protection of the Conservatoire du littoral.
Developed for fish farming in the 19th century, these former fish reservoirs provide a safe haven for numerous nesting and migratory birds (grey herons, swans, little egrets, nuthatches…). The ponds teem with bass, plaice, sea bream and shrimp, while the undergrowth is home to many mammals, including deer, marten and the discreet water shrew. From the top of the dune, you can see Île aux Oiseaux and the Arcachon basin. A breath of fresh air!
From the Abécédaire des Dunes to the Pointe du Cap Ferret
At Cap Ferret, the “Abécédaire des Dunes” interpretation trail tells the story of the evolution of the landscape, and the life and history of this wild and unspoilt territory.
The itinerary guides the walker through dunes and forest, with the alphabet as a common thread. From the letter A for “Algue” to the letter Z for “Zostère”, the last sign on the itinerary. An opportunity to learn more about the formation of mobile dunes, the phenomenon of tides, bird migration and the flora and fauna of the dune and forest. The walk ends at the Pointe du Cap Ferret, with a superb view of the Dune du Pilat, the Banc d’Arguin and the passes of the Bassin d’Arcachon. A feast for the eyes!
- L’Abécédaire des Dunes: 5 km (2-hour walk), self-guided or guided tour with a naturalist (summer)
- Start: Allée des Dunes, Lège-Cap-Ferret (Conservatoire du Littoral sign)
Photo © Office de Tourisme de Lège-Cap Ferret