La Co(o)rniche

Top choice in Gironde


There's no more glamorous address on the Atlantic Coast than this 1930s hunting lodge, reinvented by French designer Philippe Starck. Perfectly placed for a meal or tapas-fuelled drink after a sandy walk on Dune du Pilat, this sensational seaside spot is beach chic at its best. Feasting here on incredible views of the dune and the chef's modern French cuisine is unforgettable.

Snag a table by the infinity pool or, should you prefer a cheaper or lighter dine, flop with a cocktail and seafood tapas in a cushioned canopy in the bar. Should you fall madly in love with the place and find yourself unable to leave, check yourself in to the designer five-star hotel (doubles from €275).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gironde attractions

1. Dune du Pilat

0.77 MILES

This colossal sand dune (sometimes referred to as the Dune de Pyla because of its location 4km from the small seaside resort town of Pyla-sur-Mer), 8km…

2. Phare du Cap Ferret

3.57 MILES

Scale 258 steps inside the cape's 53m-tall, red-and-white lighthouse for a stunning view of Cap Ferret, the Bassin d'Arcachon and the stunning Dune du…

3. Ville d’Hiver

4.1 MILES

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…

4. Aquarium

4.82 MILES

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

5. Plage d’Arcachon

4.84 MILES

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…

6. Maison de l’Huître

7.32 MILES

The small but fascinating House of the Oyster at Port de Larros explains how oysters are farmed in the Bassin d'Arcachon – from the baby beginnings when…