Casino d'Arcachon (33)

City Guide

Culture and Heritage

The Bassin d'Arcachon gathers spaces of culture, heritage and authenticity, three pillars that will make your tourist discovery a moment apart from your holidays.

The Pays d'Arcachon Basin is a welcoming place, a micro climate allows the basin to have rarely scorching summers and rarely harsh winters, this climate makes the influence of the ocean and a balanced diet precipitation allows the Bay of Arcachon to be visited all year round.

The Bassin d'Arcachon is also visited for its ostreiculture, the seven ports are places of tastings and information, the heart of the Bassin d'Arcachon beats to the rhythms of its craftsmen of the sea, they are the best guides for those who dare to ask them, they will tell you about the most exceptional places to visit such as the Dune du Pyla, 105 m high and 3 km long, the Dune du Pyla is the largest in Europe .... .

The Bay of Arcachon, real treasure sea!

History and Traditions

In 1823, François Legallais installs a hotel at the sea baths, Eyrac beach. It is still lined with dunes and pine forests. The success changes the landscape quickly: hotels and villas are quickly established, drawing a draft of the waterfront. Noting the health benefits of sea air and balsamic fumes, many patients belonging to the aristocracy then flock to the city.

The City of Arcachon was born in 1857, date of the imperial decree of Napoleon III

The engineer Louis Lemarié discovered, in 1923, at 472 m of depth, the source Sainte Anne des Abatilles during a drilling intended to find oil. This pure water, very little mineralized, rich in silicon and low in calcium is recognized for its therapeutic virtues. Very appreciated, its consumption extends today in the hexagon and beyond.

Leisure and Entertainment

Bird Island and Tucked Cabins

Wilderness, the island is home to many species of birds: terns, curlews and other knights ... In front of her, stand the Cabins Tchanquées, symbols of the Bassin d'Arcachon.

The Dune of Pilat

Known for its exceptional dimensions, the Pilat dune is composed of about 60 million m3 of sand and is 110 to 115 m high. Located at the entrance to the Arcachon basin, between ocean and forest, it moves from 1 to 5 m per year to the east, under the influence of prevailing winds and tides, gradually covering the adjoining forest massif .

The Banc d'Arguin

Located at the entrance to the Bassin, it is the largest sandbank on the Gironde coastline. A favorite meeting place for boaters, it is also a place of welcome for migratory birds.

Cap Ferret

Located in front of Arcachon, and accessible by shuttle bus, this 25-kilometer stretch of land offers on one side ocean beaches, on the other the Bassin, with its villages of oyster farmers, maritime pines, lighthouse ...

Oysteric ports

On the Bay of Arcachon, the ports and the oyster-farming villages are part of the scenery! And each one has its charm and its personality. Discover them on foot, by bike or even by boat for a real holiday!

Wine and gastronomy

Oysters from the Arcachon Basin

It is THE star product of the Bassin d'Arcachon, who contributes to the charm of this region so emblematic. Here many families live thanks to oysters, there are more than 300 oyster farms located in the Gironde. So the best way to discover the oysters of the basin is clearly to come and taste them on the ports or to board with an oyster farmer.

Perlita Aquitaine Caviar

The fish benefit from a tailor-made farm and quality water from the Landes forest.

These chouquettes garnished with a delicious cream "secret" which only Pascal has the know-how have become the emblem of the Bassin d'Arcachon.

The snails of the Silver Coast

Yes there is a breeding snails outdoors in Gironde!