Home » All our hikes » Bordeaux - Gironde » Discovering the Arcachon Basin

Discovering the Arcachon Basin

Price per person

From 830€

Type of stay

Hiking

Location

Bordeaux - France

Duration

7 days

Difficulty

Departures

On request from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Foot 05

Your stay

Discover the wonders of the Bay of Arcachon on an unforgettable hike. This hundred-kilometre-long route invites you to discover the varied landscapes between ocean and forest, and between flora and fauna, in an unspoilt natural setting.

The only lake on the Aquitaine coast to have retained an opening to the sea, the Bassin d’Arcachon was for many years frequented only by fishermen, until the middle of the last century when it became, thanks to its title as the kingdom of the oyster and its 84 kilometers of beaches, an original and privileged place, unique on the French coast.
Surrounded to the west by the wild ocean, to the north and east by the Bordeaux vineyards and to the south by the immense moorland forest, the Bassin enjoys a mild climate where the invigorating scents of the sea air and pine resin mingle.

Alternate between small ports with colorful huts, large beaches, nature reserves and pine forests to enjoy the peace and quiet you’ll find here. This hike is a true ode to nature and local gastronomy, offering memorable souvenirs at every step.

You'll enjoy :

The colorful port of Biganos
The majestic Dune du Pilat
The Prés Salés Nature Reserve
Cap Ferret and its dune forest
The town of Arcachon

Daily program

Day 1 - Arrival in Arcachon

Arcachon, an internationally renowned seaside resort and ideal starting point, was born in the 19th century from the imagination of daring pioneers who banked on the sea-bathing craze.
Discover this city with its sumptuous Second Empire villas, its churches, its promenade along the Bassin and its marina. Postcard landscapes, these authentic places are nonetheless lively places to stroll around.

Night and breakfast in Arcachon in a 3* or 3* sup hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 2 - Arcachon to Le Teich via La Hume and Gujan-Mestras

Departing from Arcachon, a day trip along the basin awaits you, passing through the many oyster ports of the southern basin.
First, you’ll arrive at the Port Ostréicole de La Teste and the Port du Rocher, passing through the Prés Salés, vast expanses uncovered by the sea and covered only during high tides. Here you’ll find distinctive vegetation, home to a wide variety of fauna: crabs, shellfish and crustaceans, which are the delight of many species of bird!

From the Port de La Hume, continuing towards Gujan-Mestras, the oyster-farming capital with no fewer than 7 ports dedicated to oyster farming, admire the harbors, oyster beds and fishermen’s huts lined up along the channel, where boats and a few pinasses typical of the basin are moored. You’ll follow the dyke and observe a number of marshes with curious buried shelters for hunting waterfowl. Finally, you’ll come to the Parc Ornithologique du Teich, which you’ll pass “between two waters”. Covering 10 hectares, this unspoilt site is home to over 200 species of birds, both migratory and sedentary. The marked trails enable you to observe the birdlife in their natural habitat, while enjoying the local biodiversity and delta landscapes.

The return journey to Arcachon will take place by regional train (TER), accessible from the three stations on your route, depending on your wishes and your state of fitness.
Night and breakfast in Arcachon in a 3* or 3* sup hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 3 - Biganos or Audenge to Taussat or Andernos

In the morning, a cab will drop you off at the picturesque Port de Biganos or Audenge, where you’ll begin your hike via the Port des Tuiles, enjoying the tranquility of the forests and the beauty of the shores.

Take to the water’s edge at the Port d’Audenge, where old basins are now used as swimming pools. Before reaching Lanton, an extension will give you the opportunity to discover the Domaine de Graveyron, a preserved natural area classified for its ecological richness. A haven of peace and rich in biodiversity, you’ll have the opportunity to observe numerous species of birds in an idyllic setting, with marsh landscapes and sparkling lakes.

The coastal path will take you to the Port de Cassy and then to the Port de Taussat, which has preserved some of its typical huts. If you wish, you can continue on to Andernos-les-Bains. Whether in Taussat or Andernos, these two seaside villages invite you to relax, and enjoy the beaches and gentle sound of the waves to round off your day.

Night and breakfast in a 2* or 3* hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 4 - Loop from Taussat or Andernos to Saint-Brice

This day will allow you to rest in the middle of your itinerary. From Taussat, you’ll follow the banks of the basin to the Port de Bétey, dug out in 1932 at the mouth of the stream of the same name. At the time, it was dedicated exclusively to oyster farming, and it wasn’t until 1968 that it was developed as the Andernos-les-Bains marina.

You can take advantage of the many activities on offer in this small seaside town, including bars and terraces facing the sea, a stroll along the jetty (Europe’s longest at 232 meters), or prefer a stroll along the coast to Saint-Brice and its natural swimming pool. Pass by the Église Saint-Eloi (Relais du pèlerinage de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle), the Pointe des Quinconces and the pine forests with their shady paths, perfect for recharging your batteries in the heart of nature.

Return to your hotel by bus.
Night and breakfast in a 2* or 3* hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 5 - Taussat or Andernos to Arcachon via Cap Ferret

The day begins with a cab transfer to Arès, where you’ll discover the Prés Salés Nature Reserve. This fragile environment, once grazed by cattle and sheep, is home to a wealth of plants and wildlife, including over 145 different bird species.

At the edge of the basin, you’ll reach the hamlet of Jane de Boy and continue your tour between ocean and forest along the fine sandy beaches where the ocean crashes into splendid rollers that are the delight of many surfers.

Immerse yourself in the dune forest of Cap Ferret, a wilderness setting rich in biodiversity, where pine forests, oaks and varied undergrowth mingle. The forest trails allow you to explore this enchanting landscape. Then return to the Bassin to discover the famous oyster-farming villages of Le Canon and L’Herbe. This stretch of the peninsula is enchanting, and the panorama as you leave the fishing village is breathtaking! Take time to soak up the view of the Île aux Oiseaux, Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat. Don’t forget to visit the Chapelle Algérienne de l’Herbe, a Moorish-style religious building. Leave Cap Ferret by cab boat and cross the basin to Arcachon.

Night and breakfast in Arcachon in a 3* or 3* sup hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 6 - Dune du Pilat and return to Arcachon (2 or 12 km)

If this stage falls on a Sunday, it will be carried out on Day 2.

After breakfast, you’ll take the bus from Arcachon station to the foot of the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s largest dune at over 100 meters high, 3 kilometers long and 600 meters wide. The dune, which was only 35 metres high in 1855, dates back thousands of years, according to archaeological digs that prove it was inhabited by humans 2,600 years ago.
Climb up the dune, via a staircase or the sand, to reach the summit, which offers breathtaking views of the Landes forest, the passes of the Bassin d’Arcachon and the Banc d’Arguin.
To return to Arcachon and its belvedere, choose between taking the bus or walking along the beaches and villas of Pyla-sur-Mer, Le Moulleau and La Ville d’Hiver.

Night and breakfast in Arcachon in a 3* or 3* sup hotel. Dinner on your own.

Day 7 - End of itinerary in Arcachon

Don’t leave Arcachon without visiting the Ville d’Hiver and the magnificent Parc Mauresque, an enchanting 5-hectare site right in the middle of town. Named in homage to the Moorish-inspired casino built there, which was destroyed by fire in 1977.

Possibility of spending one or more extra nights in Bordeaux, in the historic heart of the city, in a 3* hotel.

rates

Price per person

April to October

June 15 to September 15

7 days – 6 nights

Comfort level :
Top level :

830 €
950 €

900 €
1025 €

Price includes

6 nights in 2 or 3* hotels (in double/twin room)
If stopover in Taussat (comfort version) :
Cab transfer from Arcachon to Biganos
If stopover in Andernos (higher version) :
Cab transfer from Arcachon to Audenge
Cab transfer from Taussat or Andernos to Arès
Bateau cab” crossing of the Arcachon basin
Bus and TER timetables
Le Carnet de route (map and directions)
1 GPS application
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 telephone assistance

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (usually one month before) and on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:
Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information
Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information
Necessary voucher(s) to be given to the service provider(s) (only if necessary!)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance.
The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges, and this tour is available in comfort or superior versions.

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent) and bed & breakfasts.

Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent) and charming bed & breakfasts.

Luxury: The tour features mainly 4 and 5 star hotels or equivalent

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available:

7 days a week
from 07h30 to 20h30.

Back to travel

Itinerary

These trips might appeal to you

Book your stay now

Fill in our booking form to start planning your adventure.
We are at your disposal to create memorable experiences that meet your specific needs.