If you’re dreading the end of summer, don’t worry: the Bay of Arcachon is home to a number of little corners of paradise where you can escape for a while longer and make the summer last as long as possible. Here are just a few of the places you’ll want to check out on your trip to the Bay of Arcachon.
The Banc d’Arguin and its nature reserve
What better place to enjoyan Indian summer in Gironde than the Banc d’Arguin? At the entrance to the Bassin d’Arcachon, facing the majestic Dune du Pilat, this islet resembling a Polynesian lagoon stretches 4 km long and 2 km wide at low tide.
Classified as a nature reserve since 1972, the Banc d’Arguin is a unique, astonishing and fragile place. A veritable natural sanctuary for rare and protected flora and fauna, the archipelago of islets constantly shifts and changes shape according to winds and ocean currents. We come here to retreat from the world, swim and picnic on the white sand (the absolute must!), collect shells with the kids, immortalize the Dune du Pilat on Instagram… Oh, and one last thing: you can only get there by boat! To get there, you need to take a shuttle or a cab boat: from the Thiers jetty in Arcachon (approx. 1 hr), Bélisaire jetty in Lège-Cap Ferret (approx. 20 min).
The winter town of Arcachon
On the heights of the town, the Ville d’Hiver d’Arcachon is home to one of the most original groups of Belle Époque villas. A visit to the Tourist Office will provide you with a map of the area and its “must-see” villas. Among the most famous, the “Alexandre Dumas” villa is considered one of Arcachon’s jewels.
In the heart of the Ville d’Hiver, an elevator leads to the Parc Mauresque, created during the Second Empire by the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Midi. Just as emblematic, [ the Sainte-Cécile observatory is also worth a visit. After an impressive 25-metre ascent, the effort is rewarded with a spectacular view of the town in all four seasons and the Arcachon Basin.
The Teich ornithological reserve
In September, we’re taking advantage of the sunshine and calm to explore the Réserve ornithologique du Teich, between the Leyre delta and the Landes forest, just a few minutes from our campsite on the Bay of Arcachon.
Located on one of the most important migration routes in Western Europe, on the wildest bank of the basin, the Parc du Teich is home to numerous birds such as the spotted woodpecker, the grey heron and the white stork. A path lined with observation huts allows you to walk around the reserve and observe the birds without disturbing them. Allow around three hours for the walk (6 km).
During the school vacations, the Maison de la Nature du Bassin d’Arcachon organizes guided tours of the ornithological reserve in the company of a naturalist guide. Remember to bring binoculars and your camera if you’re feeling like a wildlife photographer.