If you go to the coast near Bordeaux…
If you go . . .
How to get there
From Bordeaux’s Merignac airport, the bay is a one-hour drive. From Paris by train to Arcachon, just under four hours. Passenger ferry service from Arcachon to Cap Ferret, 30 minutes.
Where to stay
Hotel Ville d’Hiver
20 Avenue Victor Hugo
Arcachon
011-33-5-56661036
www.hotelvilledhiver.com
Posh and calm; pool in the reservoir of the former waterworks. Excellent restaurant. Rooms $170-$293.
Hotel Cote Sable
37 Boulevard de la Plage
Lège-Cap Ferret
011-33-5-57170728
www.cotesable.fr
Fresh, stylish rooms on the bay. Rooms $238-$460.
Hotel des Pins
22 rue des Fauvettes
Lège-Cap Ferret
011-33-5-56606011
www.hoteldespins.eu
Art Deco charm, simple rooms, popular restaurant. Rooms $73-$207.
Where to eat
Oysters
For oyster tasting, choose from among the scores of bay front outfits that set up tables on the beaches or outside of oyster shacks in the summer.
Pinasse Café
2 bis Avenue de l’Ocean
Lège-Cap Ferret
011-33-5-56037787
www.pinassecafe.com
Beachfront cafe-restaurant overlooking the bay near Cap Ferret’s jetty. Daily market menu $47. They’ll pack a picnic lunch for you; reserve in advance.
Chez Hortense
Avenue du Semaphore
Lège-Cap Ferret
011-33-5-56606256
www.chez-hortense.fr
Family-friendly rustic chic on the point; one of the oldest establishments on the cape. Reserve ahead. Steamed mussels $19.
La Maison du Bassin
5 rue des Pionniers
Lège-Cap Ferret
011-33-5-56037246
lamaisondubassin.com
Lovely atmosphere, delicious food. For lunch, try the seafood “club sandwich’’ $18, or assortment of salads.
What to do
Syndicat Intercommunal
du Bassin d’Arcachon,
Tourist Services
Villa Vincenette
16 Allée Corrignan, Arcachon
011-33-5-57527474
www.bassin-arcachon.com
Each town has its own tourist information center, but the Arcachon Bay site covers the whole area with links to local tourist offices, tour guides, oyster tourism, bike rental, festivals, hotels, vacation rentals.
Dune of Pilat
www.dune-pyla.com/en
Climb the 350-foot-high dune near the town of Pyla sur Mer for a spectacular view over the bay; small parking fee.
Teich Bird Reserve and
Nature Center
www.parc-ornithologique- du-teich.com
A birder’s paradise, wheelchair-accessible. For daily bird updates and access map, check the website. Snack bar on site. Adults $9, children $6.
Oyster museum
(Maison de l’Huitre)
Port de Larros
Gujan-Mestras
011-33-5-56662371
www.gujanmestras.com/index .php?page=maison-de-l-huire
Adults $5, children $3.
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