These are the best places to travel this summer

Arcachon

France Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
The dune of Pilat

Getty Images/iStockphoto

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Arcachon

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

A long-time oyster-harvesting area on the southern side of the tranquil, triangular Bassin d'Arcachon (Arcachon Bay), this seaside town lured bourgeois Bordelaise at the end of the 19th century. Its four little quarters are romantically named for each of the seasons, with villas that evoke the town's golden past amid a scattering of 1950s architecture.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Plage d’Arcachon

    Plage d’Arcachon

    Arcachon

    In the delightful Ville d'Été (Summer Quarter), Arcachon's deep sandy beach, Plage d'Arcachon, is flanked by two piers. Lively Jetée Thiers is at the…

  • Ville d’Hiver

    Ville d’Hiver

    Arcachon

    On the tree-covered hillside south of the Ville d'Été, the century-old Ville d'Hiver (Winter Quarter) has more than 300 villas, many decorated with…

  • Aquarium

    Aquarium

    Arcachon

    In a wooden shack opposite the casino, this aquarium has a small collection of Atlantic fish in floodlit tanks.

Plan with a local

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Arcachon