A week of walking around Arcachon Bay on France’s Aquitaine Coast, staying in just two places. Arcachon boasts a magical and unique collection of natural and cultural wonders, the highlight for many being Dune du Pilat, the highest dune in Europe at 103m. It’s enveloped by beauty too, with coastal pine forests, oyster bays, wildlife-filled lagoons and endless beaches. If that isn’t enough, every village and town is bedecked with elegant architecture, some dating back to Napoleonic times when the area was the height of fashion. Accessible by rail, and just 50mins from Bordeaux, this is an easy and exquisite French holiday.
- Arcachon
- Gujan-Mestres
- Andernos-les-Bains
- Saint-Brice
- Cap Ferret
- Dune du Pilat
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arcachon
Arrive in Arcachon, a seaside town renowned for its oyster production, surrounding pine forests and water sports. Depending on your arrival time, walk through town to see its array of elegant villas, some dating back to Napoleonic times, churches and colourful wood cabins.
- Accommodation: Hotel Le Nautic or similar in Arcachon
Day 2: Arcachon – Lu Hume – Gujan-Mestres – Le Teich | 8/13/20km
Depart from Arcachon Bay and head towards Le Teich. Walk along the oyster ports of the southern basin towards Port Ostréicole and Port du Rocher, passing the region’s salt marshes which become submerged during high tide. From Port de La Hume, continue towards Gujan-Mestras, the oyster farming capital. This is a seascape of oyster beds, fishermen’s huts and pinasses (former fishing or oyster farming boats). You have the option of continuing to the Réserve Ornithologique du Teich (entrance payable locally), which is home to over 200 species of birds, including the grey heron, black-backed gull and white stork. Return to Arcachon by train. Please note that if you arrive on a Tuesday, plans for day two and six will be swapped (visiting Dune du Pilat today). If you want to shorten the walk, you can do so by stopping at Lu Hume or Gujan-Mestres and getting the train back to Arcachon.
- Walking for the day: 8/13/20km, ↑10/15/20m
- Accommodation: Hotel Le Nautic or similar in Arcachon
Day 3: Arcachon – Audenge – Andernos-les-Bains | 16km
You are transferred to Audenge to start the hike towards Port des Tuiles. Continue to Port d’Audenge, famous for its oyster farmers’ and fishermen’s brightly coloured huts, and also a perfect spot to try fresh oysters. Spend some time in the green oasis of Domaine de Certes et Graveyron. This protected natural area is made up of salt meadows, former salt marshes and fish farming ponds, attracting migratory birds. Follow the coastal path to Port de Cassy and Port de Taussat to reach Andernos-les-Bains.
- Walking for the day: 16km, ↑10m
- Accommodation: Villa Teranga or Hotel le 25 in Andernos-les-Bains
Day 4: Circular route | 5/8km
Take today at a slower pace. In Andernos-les-Bains, choose between the various seaside bars and terraces, and indulge in local seafood dishes. Walk along Europe’s longest pier for views of the nearby nature reserves, Arcachon and Cap Ferret lighthouse. There’s also the option of walking along the coast to Saint-Brice, where you can swim in the man-made basin which is replenished as the tide rises. Follow the path through pine forests, passing the Romanesque church (Église Saint-Éloi) and the reservoirs of Pointe des Quinconces, where the first steam trawler was built, before returning to Andernos-les-Bains.
- Walking for the day: 5/8km, ↑10m
- Accommodation: Villa Teranga or Hotel le 25 in Andernos-les-Bains
Day 5: Andernos-les-Bains – Arcachon via Cap Ferret | 19km
we transfer you to Arès, to visit the Réserve Naturelle des Prés Salés where you can see the landscape transition from mudflats to forests. It is home to over 145 different bird species. Keep an eye out for lizards, otters or even European pond turtles. Continue towards the edge of the reserve, passing the hamlet of Jane de Boy, to reach the forest trails of Cap Ferret. This headland separates the Atlantic Ocean and Arcachon Bay and one side is dominated by the ocean, its wild surf and sandy dunes, while the bay side has calmer waters and is dotted with fishing villages. Begin the return journey, passing the oyster-farming villages of Le Canon and L’Herbe, with views of Île aux Oiseaux, Arcachon and Dune du Pilat. If time allows, visit the Chapelle de la Villa Algérienne, a church built in Moorish style. Catch a water taxi from Cap Ferret to return to Arcachon Bay.
- Walking for the day: 19km, ↑30m
- Accommodation: Hotel Le Nautic or similar in Arcachon
Day 6: Arcachon – Dune du Pilat – Arcachon | 2/12km
After breakfast, take the bus (payable locally) to the bottom of Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest dune at over 100m high. Climb up to the top of the dune for views of the Landes Forest, Arcachon Bay and Banc d’Arguin sandbank. To return to Arcachon, either take the bus (payable locally) or walk along the beaches, passing the villas of Pyla-sur-Mer and Le Moulleau. The route takes you past Moorish and Gothic villas in Arcachon’s Ville d’Hiver, or Winter Town, with a small detour leading to Parc Mauresque. The large park was named after the Moorish-inspired casino built there, which was destroyed in a fire in 1977.
- Walking for the day: 2/12km,↑100/120m
- Accommodation: Hotel Le Nautic or similar in Arcachon
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast or extra nights in Arcachon or nearby Bordeaux on request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in just two places, in small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Le Nautic (Arcachon)
- Villa Teranga (Andernos-les-Bains)
- Hotel le 25 (Andernos-les-Bains)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can sometimes be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Where no dinner is included, restaurants are available in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is rated is easy/moderate and is suitable for regular walkers with a basic level of fitness, with daily walking distances between 2-20km. The walks are mostly easy but may include longer hikes on some days (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from April until October. The flexibility of self-guided walking holidays means there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The weather in southern France can vary but in general, you can expect a mild to warm climate and pleasant temperatures for walking between 19C-26C. Summers in France are hot, dry and sunny. Late spring and early autumn are less hot but typically warm enough to spend evenings eating outside. For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to France.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival and departure airport for this tour is Bordeaux Airport (BOD).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to France without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a railway station in Arcachon. For more details, see the national rail operator SNCF-Connect or use the Omio planner above.
- Arrival to and departure from Arcachon: Take the 30’Direct shuttle bus from Hall B of Bordeaux Airport to Bordeaux train station, then get the train to Arcachon. For more information, visit SNCF-Connect or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 breakfasts
- Route notes, maps and public transport timetables
- Luggage transfers
- Transfer from Arcachon to Audenge on day three
- Transfer from Andernos-les-Bains to Arès on day five
- Water taxi from Cap Ferret to Arcachon Bay on day five
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Bus and train tickets on day two and six
- Lunches, dinners drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Extra nights in Arcachon or Bordeaux
