The Arcachon Bassin tour on foot
Go around the Bassin from Arcachon on foot means taking the time to follow the coast as closely as possible and discover a myriad of atmospheres, through natural landscapes that change with the tides, elegant seaside resorts and charming oyster-farming villages. It is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, to breathe in the smells of the pines and the spray from the ocean. A beautiful hike of almost 90 km on the Country GR to be done over several days, at your own pace, and to be punctuated with enriching stops like a guided tour of a nature reserve, gourmet like a Food tour or an oyster tasting, refreshing like a swim on an ocean beach.
Put on your walking shoes for a trip that will allow you to explore this small inland sea, its gentle way of life and its most secret corners!
From the top of the Dune du Pilat
Before embarking on the Bassin tour of Arcachon on foot, the ascent of the Dune du Pilat is a magnificent preamble. Perched more than 100 meters high on the highest dune in Europe, we overlook the Bassin and contemplate the 360-degree panorama, between green pine forests, on one side, and ocean, on the other. Sand as far as the eye can see, a ridge line with gentle curves that stretches over almost 3 km, here you are in a Sahara atmosphere, with, in front of you, the blue and green palette of the ocean, where outlines the subtle line of the Banc d'Arguin and the verdant peninsula of Cap Ferret, dominated by its red and white lighthouse.
The elegance of Arcachon villas
After this sweet moment of contemplation, head to the Winter Town in Arcachon and its superb villas, the construction of which dates back to the Second Empire. We observe all kinds of architectural styles there, between Swiss chalets, Norman manors, Moorish residences and other fanciful forms, coming from the fruitful imagination of the architects of the time. Among the most famous residences, we discover Villas Toledo, Brémontier, Teresa, Vincenette, Castellamare. To cool off, we walk in the Mauresque Park, then climb to the top of the Sainte-Cécile Observatory to admire the view of the blue waters of Bassin.
Discover the atmosphere of small ports
Continuing on the GR, you gradually leave the city to discover the peaceful atmosphere of the small ports, which mark out the Bassin. Gujan-Mestras has seven, from Port de la Hume to Port de la Mole. The opportunity for a visit to the Maison de l'Huître and oyster tastings in a peaceful setting by the water's edge. Throughout your escapade, the ports will punctuate your tour of the Bassin. You will discover the colorful huts of Biganos, the intimate atmosphere of the ports of Les Tuiles, Cassy and Taussat, the bustling port of Andernos-les-Bains, the calm of that of Arès. So many gourmet stops to savor in a setting conducive to relaxation.
Take a deep dip in nature along the coast
On the Bassin, nature is omnipresent and along the GR, there are natural reserves and sites, as well as forests. Visits with naturalist guides allow you to understand the ecosystem and learn more about these refreshing landscapes. Located on the Leyre Delta, the Teich Ornithological Reserve is a place for observing wild birds, which have taken up residence in the Bassin. Nearly 300 species pass through there, from storks to egrets, including plovers and swans. In Audenge, the Domaine de Cadeau et Graveyron, made up of old salt marshes and fish farming ponds, is a little marvel, and the view of the Bassin at the tip of Branne is breathtaking.
Natural treasures still secret
Straddling Arès and Andernos, the site of Saint-Brice Les Quinconces promises great ecological discoveries, in the company of nature guide Alexandre, from the Arès tourist office. The place is worthy of a postcard and still so preserved that it attracts rare species such as the Leschenault plovers, observed only 11 times in France, or the lagoon pipefish, a small snakehead with the head of a seahorse. Close by, the Prés Salés d'Arès et de Lège National Reserve is also home to original vegetation and fauna. Then, on the Lège-Cap Ferret peninsula, the GR crosses the pine forest and crosses the Piraillan Reservoirs, a charming corner of nature, where white egrets come to sleep each evening.
In the heart of oyster farming villages
On the Cap Ferret peninsula, the intimate atmosphere of the villages exudes incredible charm and offers a superb setting in which to taste oysters above the water. To discover them, you will have to deviate from the GR, but it is worth a look. You can reach the village of Petit Piquey and follow the coastline to Pointe aux Chevaux for an exceptional view of the Bassin. Or stroll between the wooden cabins of the Canon and contemplate, from the pier, the pitching of the boats on the blue waters. In the village of l'Herbe, the colorful cabins and the Moorish-style chapel are among the must-sees. For an original visit to Cap Ferret, let yourself be tempted by a Food tour! On the menu, the discovery of the village's secret places, magnificent landscapes and tasty local tastings, carefully selected.
Between dunes and ocean
Last stage of this Bassin tour, the Cap Ferret peninsula offers, alongside its picturesque villages, sublime ocean beaches, where you can swim with delight, and preserved dunes of great beauty. Participating in an observation with a guide from the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) allows you to learn about their fragility and the means to preserve them. The natural splendor of this end of the world is as seductive as it makes you want to keep it intact as long as possible. Before completing the Bassin tour by reaching Arcachon by boat, climb to the top of the lighthouse to admire the view, then push on to the tip of Cap Ferret to admire the unforgettable panorama of the Dune du Pilat.
More information :
The topoguide "the Tour of Bassin on foot" is on sale in tourist offices (indicative price: €9.90).
Text credit: © Angélique Saget
Photo credits: © Angélique Saget, © Madame Oreille (port of Gujan-Mestras) and © Sébastien Cottereau (oyster platter)
