A must-see attraction for families and the curious
When the fine weather returns, from April to the end of the All Saints’ Day vacations ,Arcachon ‘s little tourist train is back in service. This timeless attraction allows you to visit the town’s main sites and monuments in no time at all. Ideal for families with children and the elderly, this tour also allows other passengers to spot the emblematic places to visit later on foot, taking their time.
The Winter City: a little paradise of architecture and fantasy
Embark on a 30-minute guided tour of the Ville d’Hiver,Arcachon‘s historic district, and step back in time to the Belle Époque. The tour includes audio commentary on the history, culture and architecture of the area, including the elegant 19th-century villas.
Must-see places:
Arcachon synagogue: built in 1877 of brick and garluche, this listed building is in the 19th-century synagogal style.
Villa Teresa: one ofArcachon‘s finest homes, built in 1882 in the Hispano-Moorish style for Sir Lewis, an Irish painter.
The Parc Mauresque: the town’s jewel in the crown, in the heart of the Ville d’Hiver, this 4.8-hectare park was once home to the Casino Mauresque, destroyed by fire in 1977. The park’s elevator, which replaces the old funicular railway, is an emblematic element in the collective memory of the people of Arcachon. It is the link between the Winter and Summer Towns. To find out more, read our article on visiting the Moorish Park.
Place Fleming: formerly Place des Palmiers, at the bottom of the Ville d’Hiver, the square was created in 1891. In 1894, Léon Lesca, recognized as the founder of Cap Ferret, donated the bandstand in front of his hotel to the town.
Villa Brémontier: one of the first villas built by the Pereire brothers’ Compagnie des Chemins de Fer du Midi. Originally, the house (a reinterpretation of the Swiss chalet) stood in the middle of an 8,000 m2 park that included the dune known as “Mont des Rossignols”. It was the most prestigious “rental chalet” for high-ranking individuals such as the noble marshal Alexis de Rimsky-Korsakoff, in 1894.
For a more varied experience, the P’tit Train d’Arcachon offers a second tour (La Panoramique), which runs from the Ville d’Hiver to Plage Pereire. Discover the architectural heritage, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Bay and the Cap-Ferret peninsula, before returning via the Ville d’Hiver.
Practical info
- The little train runs from April 1 to the end of the All Saints’ vacation period.
- Departure times: daily at 2:30pm, with additional departures at 3:30pm and 4:30pm (except for group bookings).
- Prices: €7 for adults, €4.50 for children aged 3 to 11, free for children under 3.
- Weather conditions: in the event of rain, the train is covered.
- Pets: small dogs are welcome on their master’s lap or at his feet, provided they do not disturb other passengers.
- Reservations: we advise you to book online, at least one hour in advance, at www.lepetittraindarcachon.fr.
photo@Marc Ryckaert /CC BY-SA 4.0/commons.wikimedia