Don’t tell Le Moulleau residents they’re fromArcachon. No, they’re from Moulleau! Arcachonnais like to think of it as a village in its own right. What to see and do in Le Moulleau? Follow the Guide!
Le Moulleau church
An emblematic monument in Le Moulleau,Notre-Dame-des-Passes church surprises visitors with its Byzantine-Tuscan style, adorned in limestone and brick. Designed in the 19th century by architect Louis Garros, it is dedicated to the sailors who had to brave the “passes” (dangerous passages) at the entrance to the Bassin. Access is via a grand stone staircase lined with flowerbeds. From up there, you have a bird’s-eye view of the Avenue du Moulleau, the pier and the Cap Ferret lighthouse, all in perfect alignment! Inside, you can see one of the three statues of the “Pregnant Virgin” in France.
Avenue du Moulleau
Avenue Notre-Dame-des-Passes is like the Champs Élysées in Paris. People flock here to stroll, shop and dream. This long pedestrian avenue linking the church to the Moulleau jetty is renowned for its chic ready-to-wear and interior design boutiques, as well as its many restaurants, ice-cream parlors and trendy cafés. As you walk down the avenue, you can end your stroll on the pier.
Moulleau pier
Inaugurated in 1899, the pier was originally built to the left of the Grand Hôtel. Eventually, it was moved a hundred meters to the right, in line with the Notre-Dame-des-Passes church and the Cap Ferret lighthouse. It offers a breathtaking view of the Dune du Pilat and the Cap Ferret peninsula, which seem so close. From June to September, regular shuttle services run between the Moulleau jetty and Cap Ferret.
Moulleau Beach
The area is home to one of Arcachon’s most beautiful beaches: Plage du Moulleau. It’s a quiet, pleasant spot, very popular with families, offering a lovely view of the Dune du Pilat and Cap Ferret. Swimming is supervised in summer, and a beach club welcomes children morning and afternoon. There’s also a seaside merry-go-round.
The old Moulleau cannon
Another local curiosity is the Napoleonic cannon that sits enthroned at the edge of the beach. A remnant of the old defences of the “Fort de La Roquette”, this bronze artillery piece was found during the construction of the Grand Hôtel in 1899.
An organic market all summer long
The Moulleau market is held every Tuesday in summer. This organic and local market brings together a wide range of local producers and artisans: fruit and vegetables, cheeses, honey, local wines, as well as essential oils and eco-friendly cosmetics… Open every Tuesday morning, along the promenade, from 8am to 1.30pm (July/August only).
photo@Pline,CC BY-SA 3.0,wikimedia