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Nordic walking around the Bay of Arcachon

Price per person

From 675€

Type of stay

Voyage à vélo

Location

Arcachon - France

Duration

5 days

Difficulty

Departures

Capacity

from 5 to 8 people

Reference

Foot 10

Your stay

Evazio proposes a Nordic walk around the Bassin d’Arcachon, the only lake on the Aquitaine coast to have retained an opening to the sea. Twice a day, the water of this inland sea is renewed by the tide through narrow passes.

Since the middle of the last century, the Bassin d’Arcachon has been the kingdom of oysters, and our Nordic walking tour will give you a chance to admire the oyster basins. Its 84 km of beaches surrounded by pine trees make it an original and privileged place, unique in France. Surrounded to the west by the wild ocean, to the north and east by the Bordeaux vineyards, to the south by the immense forest of the Landes, your Nordic walk will take you along numerous paths, where hikers can enjoy unspoilt nature along the long beaches, in the small ports with their colorful huts, in the bird sanctuaries or in the pine forests.Between two nature reserves, you’ll discover a mosaic of landscapes and atmospheres: the Banc d’Arguin nature reserve, tumultuous wave rollers facing the ocean, oyster ports… But also colorful fishermen’s huts, the fascinating Dune du Pilat, the Gascony moors and endless beaches, and the town of Arcachon.

As for the diversity of the basin, it offers a mosaic of landscapes ideal for Nordic walking. The constant confrontation between ocean, wind, sand, freshwater and saltwater has created a world of its own, benefiting from a special microclimate. These remarkable conditions have given rise to a varied flora and fauna, including some 300 species of breeding and migratory birds. The 19th-century fashion for sea bathing made Arcachon a prestigious and renowned destination. The architecture of the winter town is as rich as it is diverse. Whimsical and marvelous villas bear witness to the era. Swiss or Norman cottages, Moorish or Baroque, colonial verandas or Chinese pavilions…

You'll enjoy :

The invigorating iodine trails, where you can put your Nordic Walking poles to good use.
All the facets of the Bassin d’Arcachon, from the Dune du Pilat to the Pointe du Cap Ferret.
Only 2 hours by TGV from Paris-Montparnasse
A complete meal based on seafood and shellfish from the Basin and/or fish from the fish market.

Daily program

Day 1 - Home

Meet in front of Bordeaux train station at 10:45 am (please note that the return journey will be from Arcachon). 1-hour transfer to accommodation in Arès. Meeting point directly at the hotel “Le Grain de Sable” (see access) for those coming by car. Check-in. Presentation of the stay. Initiation to acquire the right techniques, towards the vast pine forests of Lège et Garonne and return via the large beaches and tumultuous rollers of the Côte d’Argent. Stretching. Restaurant close to the hotel.

3h Nordic walking – uphill: 40 metres – downhill: 40 metres.

Day 2 - The Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula.

The sticks take us to one of the most charming corners of the Basin: from the tranquil waters of the Basin to the surging Atlantic Ocean, between Bélisaire and Pointe du Cap, from small peaceful squares to large beaches. Pass through villages of fishermen’s huts, listed as picturesque sites. Optional visit to the lighthouse. Visit to L’Herbe, a typical village. Dinner in town.

3 to 4 hours Nordic walking – uphill: 30 metres – downhill: 30 metres.

Day 3 - La Dune du Pilat

An invigorating climb up this immense sandy vessel that swells towards the forest, and the breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the Bassin, the ocean, the Banc d’Arguin and the pine forests as far as the eye can see. Loop to Soussine, between ocean, dunes and forest. Transfer to Arcachon on the Parc Mauresque side and free visit. Dinner in town.

3 to 4 hours Nordic walking – ascent: 170 metres – descent: 170 metres

Day 4 - The Grand près salés du Teich

Long, beautiful day: Transfer to the port of Le Teich. Loop between Les Grands Prés du Teich along dyked meadows, undulating reedbeds, maritime marshes and forest paths along the Eyre. Transfer to Arcachon’s harbor side and free visit. Transfer to the oyster port of Andernos-Les-Bains. Seafood and shellfish meal in a fisherman’s hut/resto.

3h Nordic walking – uphill: 30 metres – downhill: 30 metres.

Day 5 - Domaine de Certes, between land and sea

Last day of Nordic walking before handing in the poles. Domaine de Certes, between land and sea, along the fish reservoirs, with the immensity of the Bassin as a backdrop and the birds of the shore as companions. Loop along the coastal paths and return along the cycle path. Luggage collection and transfer to Arcachon train station by 4:50 pm.

3 to 4 hours Nordic walking – uphill: 30 metres – downhill: 30 metres

rates

Price per person

5 days – 5 nights: €675

Price includes

5 nights with breakfast in a 2* hotel (in a double/twin room)
4 dinners (excluding drinks)
5 picnics
Nordic Walking Guide
The sticks
Minibus transfers during your stay

Supplement

Visiting fees

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 (20 kg maximum) + 1 carry-on.

We remind you that rental bicycles are equipped with panniers that you can use to carry any items you may need for the day.

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:

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

Our assistance is available throughout your stay.