There's often much debate, as there are often 2 spellings for Europe's highest dune, at 102.4 m high and 600 m wide, and perhaps the most visited natural site in the South-West: Dune du Pyla and Dune du Pilat.
But what is the correct spelling and where does it come from?
After doing some research on the internet and reading some articles, here's what you need to remember:
The official name is "Dune du Pilat". The word "pilat" comes from the Gascon "pilàt", derived from the Latin "pïla" and meaning heap or mound.
It was Daniel Meller, a real estate developer from Bordeaux, who changed the spelling when, in the 1920s, he and entrepreneur Louis Gaume created the Testine seaside resort of Pyla sur Mer. He took Pilat as his inspiration, but changed the spelling to make the name more exotic, more appealing to locals and tourists alike. At the time, Antiquity, Ancient Greece and Rome were in vogue, and they decided to helicitize "Pilat" by replacing the "i" with a "y" and removing the "t".
The spelling of the Dune du Pilat already appears on maps dating from the 18th century and the Dune remains Pilat, as it is not located in Pyla sur Mer but in La Teste.
The debate seems to be over now, it's Dune du Pilat that's important.
Good day to all and see you next year above the Dune du Pilat. (I'm still hesitating...)
