My holiday committed to the Bassin of Arcachon
Want to make your stay on the Bassin of Arcachon useful and enriching ? Participate in ilocal initiatives that contribute to the preservation of this unique territory. Beach cleaning, participatory actions for the environment, inspiring visits… Get involved alongside local professionals, for more committed tourism !
Concrete actions for nature
The Bassin of Arcachon is above all a world apart: by the beauty of its unique landscapes and its ecosystems which must be taken care of. Several organizations, public and private, work for the well-being of the nature of the Bassin of Arcachon, and open their operations to the general public !
Here are some examples:
1. Clean up beaches
Many cleaning operations are organized on the beaches of BassinThese friendly moments are also an opportunity to raise awareness among young and old about the impact of waste on the body of water. And as a bonus, you have the view!
2. Collect eelgrass seeds on Bird Island
What are eelgrasses?
These are underwater plants that play an essential role for the Bassin ecosystem : they increase biodiversity, make the waters clearer, stabilize the seabed, mitigate coastal erosion, store large amounts of carbon. Moreover, the Bassin of Arcachon houses the largest dwarf eelgrass meadow in Europe !
Every year during the summer, the Arcachon Bassin Marine Natural Park calls for volunteers for Collecting dwarf eelgrass seeds from a healthy herbarium. These seeds will be reintroduced into the sediment in spring, in areas favorable to the return of seagrass. The goal is to restart its colonization in areas that are no longer naturally supplied with seeds.
3. Observe and protect seahorses
The Bassin of Arcachon has a great diversity of Syngnathidae : nine species are observed there, including the long-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus), short-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus hippocampus) and needlefish (Pipefish)These species spend their entire lives there and are therefore considered to be part of the territory’s heritage.
These are fragile species due to their low reproduction, their limited mobility and their habitat specificity.
The Arcachon Bassin Marine Natural Park, in partnership with theParticipatory observatory of biodiversity, co-organize diving sessions to better understand the lifestyle of these species, and then implement appropriate conservation actions. Between 2019 and 2021, 81 divers and 21 partner structures participated in the operation!
4. Fight against invasive plants
A perfect example that beautiful does not always mean good: invasive exotic plants!
On the Bassin of Arcachon, several exotic plants are subject to special treatment by the SIBA due to their invasive nature: there English cordgrass which tends to massively colonize the upper part of the mudflats, and certain aquatic species which invade watercourses in particular Jussies, Brazilian Water-milfoil and False Buttercup Hydrocotyle…
SIBA organizes uprooting sessions in clearly defined areas, allowing you to discover natural environments while acting for the preservation of Bassin.
5. Pick up trash from the river bank
The operation Earth m'Eyre is a Eyre River Clean-up Expedition. A twenty volunteers grouped into 2 teams set about collecting waste around the watercourse and marking the position of bulky items that are too large to be transported by canoe. Next session: September 2025!
Looking back at the 2024 operation
Other operations are organized throughout the year, like the actions of the LPO for the preservation of local biodiversity!
My to-do list for responsible vacations
- I use tide pools : pick up any rubbish that washes up during your walks on the beach.
- I protect biodiversity : if you find a wild animal in distress, contact the LPO care center in Audenge.
- I discover natural spaces with those who ensure their preservation: go on foot to discover the Réserve Ornithologique du Teich, and come back in a large collective canoe!
- I consume local : during your vacation, and even after! Bring back souvenirs made by our local artisans or better yet: make your own souvenirs in one of our our Do It Yourself workshops!
- I promote gentle and shared modes of transport: by consulting our section “Bassin on a bike”, the +330 km of cycle paths will no longer hold any secrets for you! And for other modes of transport, go to here !
- I protect myself, while protecting the Bassin: Did you know? Apply your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before swimming helps reduce the impact of sunscreen on our marine ecosystems, while remaining protected! More info by here.
Festive and committed meetings
- World Wetlands Day in February: An essential event for raise public awareness of the richness and importance of wetlands, which play a crucial role in biodiversity and water regulation. Original and inventive animations help to attract the attention of everyone, from young people to adults, and to convey important messages in a fun way.
- Wild Territories Festival From April 18 to 21: A 7e edition under the sign of relationships, links and interdependencies which weave and define the living.
- Nature Festival in May: The Nature Festival takes place every year, for 5 days, around the international day of biodiversity celebrated on May 22On the program: fun and educational activities for the whole family.
- Night of the stars in August: A magical evening to admire the Perseids.
- Your appointments with the goose (October to December): The LPO and its partners invite you to discover the Brent Goose and all the exceptional biodiversity of the Bassin of Arcachon on the occasion of the event “Your appointments with the Barnacle Goose”.
To go further
Visit our educational spaces:
- Dune of Pilat – La Teste de Buch: https://ladunedupilat.com/
- Oyster House – Gujan-Mestras: https://www.maison-huitre.fr/
- Certes-Graveyron Estate – Audenge: https://www.gironde.fr/domaine-de-certes-graveyron
- Arès-Lège Salt Meadows Reserve: https://www.ofb.gouv.fr/
- Teich Ornithological Reserve: https://www.reserve-ornithologique-du-teich.com/
- Ecomusée Gardarem – Lanton: https://www.gardarem.fr/
- Resin Collector’s Hut – Lège-Cap Ferret: https://captermer.com/
- Eau'ditorium – Biganos: https://www.siba-bassin-arcachon.fr/eauditorium
These places are like gateways to biodiversity and local traditions.
Committed tourism on the Bassin of Arcachon is an opportunity to experience authentic and supportive experiences. Join us to help preserve this natural gem. New features are coming, stay tuned!
