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The Bassin d’Arcachon ticks every box for a family holiday. Here you’ll find calm waters, unique natural sites, bike rides and activities designed for children. The Dune du Pilat, Cap Ferret, the Teich reserve and the oyster harbours make for a varied playground. All just 30 minutes from Bordeaux.
Here are our 6 outing ideas to keep young and old entertained, right from your waterside campsite!
The Bassin d’Arcachon, a vast lagoon sheltered from the ocean, lends itself to plenty of gentle water activities with children. The calm, shallow waters reassure parents and let little ones enjoy their first confident swims.
Here are the water sports best suited to families:
For free swimming, two beaches stand out for young children: Pereire in Arcachon and Le Bétey in Andernos. Marker buoys mark out a supervised area during the summer season, keeping your sand-and-bucket afternoons safe.
Three sites stand out for a successful family visit. The Dune du Pilat, the Île aux Oiseaux and the Teich reserve combine wonder with accessibility.
The Dune du Pilat rises to more than 100 metres above the ocean. A staircase is installed during the summer season, making the climb easier with young children. Coming back down barefoot in the sand remains the little ones’ favourite part.
The Île aux Oiseaux can only be reached by boat. Pinasse boat trips pass close by the stilt huts (cabanes tchanquées), which have become the symbol of the bay. For children, the experience remains fun and engaging: they watch birds, sandbanks and marine wildlife from the deck of the boat.
The Teich bird reserve covers more than 100 hectares on the edge of the bay. More than 320 bird species have been recorded here. The 6 km of trails are dotted with observation huts, accessible to all-terrain pushchairs.
The Bassin d’Arcachon has more than 200 km of cycle paths, a large proportion of which are separated from cars. It’s one of the safest destinations in France to cycle with children.
Three routes are particularly well suited to families:
As for the villages, the port of Larros in Gujan-Mestras has kept its colourful oyster huts. L’Herbe and Le Canon, in Lège-Cap-Ferret, line their white pedestrian lanes facing the bay. The Cap Ferret lighthouse can be climbed via 258 steps for a 360° view.
Our team’s tip: for a successful family bike day, set off by 9am. That way you’ll enjoy the mild morning temperatures. Book your equipment the day before at one of the many rental shops around the bay. Choose bikes with a child seat or trailer for children under 5. Picnic breaks on the beaches remain a firm favourite on any bike outing!
The Bassin d’Arcachon is one of France’s leading oyster-farming areas. A food-focused visit is a must, even with children who aren’t big seafood fans.
The oyster farmers at the huts in Le Canon or Larros offer friendly tastings right at the oyster hut. For children, bring along some bread and grey shrimp as a side. You can also order a plate of fried fish for the little ones. Arcachon market, open every morning, brings together fishmongers, cheesemongers and artisan ice-cream makers under a covered hall.
For an educational visit, the oyster harbour of Gujan-Mestras is organised around 7 successive ports. Several oyster farmers welcome visitors and explain their trade in an engaging way: rearing oysters in bags on tables, sorting and grading. A tasting is often offered at the end of the visit!
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The best time to visit the Bassin d’Arcachon with family runs from May to September. Mild temperatures, warmer water and plenty of sunshine make all the water activities possible. June and September remain ideal for avoiding the summer-holiday crowds. The Dune du Pilat remains accessible all year round.
To visit the Bassin d’Arcachon with children, allow at least 4 days. This gives you time for a beach day, a bike day, a visit to the Dune du Pilat and a pinasse boat trip. A full week lets you add the Teich reserve, Cap Ferret and tastings in Gujan-Mestras.
Yes, the Bassin d’Arcachon is generally well suited to pushchairs. The cycle paths, coastal walks and the Teich reserve can all be explored with an all-terrain pushchair. The Dune du Pilat has a staircase in season, but the sand remains difficult with a pushchair. The oyster-farming villages have flat lanes that are ideal for families.
Yes, you can climb the Dune du Pilat with a baby. Choose a soft baby carrier, which is more practical than a pushchair in the sand. During the summer season, the wooden staircase makes the climb easier. Coming down barefoot on the ocean side is a wonderful moment for older children. Avoid the hottest hours of the day.
