Cap Ferret and activities on the Bay of Arcachon:
Located less than an hour from Bordeaux, the Arcachon Basin is famous for its Dune du Pilat102m high, attracts an increasing number of visitors from all over the world to discover its exceptional landscapes, and offers activities all year round.
Cap Ferret, at the tip of the Bassin d'Arcachon, is renowned for its natural beauty, beaches and fishing. Since the film "Les petits mouchoirs", public interest in this exceptional site has grown steadily.
It's an increasingly popular tourist destination, with numerous hotels, restaurants and celebrity second homes, especially in the 44-hectare protected area.
It's great fun to get out and about by bike, on the cycle paths laid out among the pine trees. You can easily organize a bike outing to visit Cap Ferret and the surrounding area, with numerous bike and electric scooter rental stores. In the same day, for example, you can easily visit the Cap Ferret lighthouse, tour its headland, visit its 44 hectares and beaches, and sample oysters in the sumptuous oyster-farming village of L'Herbe.
If you're heading to Cap Ferret and want to add a boat trip to your outing, there are a number of ways to do so. maritime shuttles run around the Bassin at regular times, especially between Arcachon and Cap Ferret. You'll save a lot of time, avoiding the often congested road traffic during weekends and vacations. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact theUnion des Bateliers Arcachonnais.
In terms of sporting activities, the Bassin offers many possibilities. If you're a keen scuba diver, a number of outings are available, mainly off the Gaillouneys beach, where you'll find fauna that has invaded the submerged bunkers of the Atlantic Wall; and in the Cap Ferret area, where you can admire seahorses.
If you prefer an activity on the water, you'll be able to do everything imaginable, such as surfing, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, jet skiing, canoeing, towed buoys, water skiing, wakeboarding, sea fishing, etc....
If, on the other hand, you're more of an aerialist and want to discover the basin in a different wayI advise you to make a paragliding experience on the Dune du Pilat, the flagship activity on this unique and exceptional site. From the air, you can admire Cap Ferret, the Banc d'Arguin and, of course, the Dune. First flights in planes, microlights, gliders and parachute jumps are also available at the La Teste-De-Buch and Biscarrosse airfields.
What's more, other activities are also available, such as acrobranche, go-karting, quad biking, paintball, yoga, etc. I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for among the multitude of choices on offer.
If you're not very sporty and prefer more cultural outings, such as sightseeing, there are plenty of places to discover. I recommend you visit ArcachonThis English-style seaside resort is home to the Ville d'Hiver district, where you'll discover magnificent 19th-century villas and the Sainte-Cécile Observatory, a 25m-high metal tower offering a panoramic view of the Arcachon basin.
You can also explore the basin by sea, with various boat tours, including the Isle of Birds with its "cabanes tchanquées", and the Banc d'Arguin with its nature reserve and oyster beds.
For nature-lovers, there are many places to explore, including the Prés Salés d'Arès-Lège trails, the Certes et Graveyron estate, the Teich ornithological reserve and the Leyre Delta. Here you can discover the local flora and fauna. If you're looking for something a little more exotic, and are more of a city dweller, I'd recommend a visit to the La Teste-de-Buch Zoo.
For those with a passion for aviation and its history, the area around Biscarrosse bourg is the birthplace of aeropostale, where the international seaplane rally is held, and where you can visit the seaplane museum and the former Latécoère base where Air France created its first routes and regular flights to New York and South America. For the more curious, there's the aeronautical village of Les Lacs, located at the Biscarrosse aerodrome.
When it comes to gastronomy, there's plenty to choose from, including seafood and south-western products. Various restaurateurs will be on hand to help you discover these blends of flavors and local specialties.
As you can see the Arcachon Basin and surrounding area offer a multitude of experiencesThere's plenty to do, so don't hesitate to discover our region for a weekend or a vacation.
