Seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast in Gironde and Landes

Seaside resorts on the Atlantic Ocean

The seaside resorts have vast sandy beaches with rippling waves and wild bays with imposing rock massifs. These are the two extremes of the Atlantic coast in southern France, also known as the Côte d'Argent. The three southernmost departments Gironde, Landes and Pyrénées - Atlantiques are part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and together have a coastline length of about 700 km. The whole coastline from the north, where the Garonne flows into the ocean near Bordeaux, to the south near Biarritz in the Pyrenees is very popular among tourists. Along the coast there are many seaside resorts, each with its own charm: vibrant and lively or quiet and at one with nature. Well-known places are Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Cap Ferret, Arcachon, Biscarrosse, Mimizan, Moliets et Maâ, Capbreton and Biarritz. To the north, in the famous Médoc area, you’ll find Lac d'Hourtin et de Carcans, the largest freshwater lake in France. Dune de Pilat, the highest dune in Europe, is located near Arachon. The coast is perfect for all kinds of water sports such as: windsurfing, kite surfing, jet skiing, swimming, sailing and more. The wide beaches have plenty of space for children to play. The beaches are also great for sunbathing. If you want a bite to eat, you can go visit one of the beach bars.

Badplaatsen 1 Gironde Landes Pyrenees atlantiques Frankrijk vakantie Salles luxe villa strand zee.jp

You can also walk into the village from the beach, when you want to get something to eat. The region also has a lot to offer more inland; bordeaux is surrounded by a well-known wine region and the Landes region has vast forests. The Vélodyssée, a well-known cycle path, runs along the coast. There are castles, churches, cathedrals, nature reserves, museums and pretty villages in the hinterland. The coastal region is home to many regional dishes containing oysters and various types of fish. Around the Bay of Arcachon there are several fishing villages such as Andernos les bains. You will also see cabanes Tchanquées, oyster farmers' cabins on stilts, in these fishing villages.

Arcachon

Arcachon lies by the Bassin d'Arcachon on which you can take a boat trip and which is famous for oyster farming. Arcachon has a beautiful Boulevard along the beach, perfect for taking a stroll. What makes Arcachon unique is that it is made up of some typical districts: Ville de Printemps, Ville d'Été, Ville d'Automne and Ville d'Hiver with beautiful villas built in the Belle-Époque style. The village has plenty of restaurants and nice shops, especially on the Avenue Gambetta. Also walk along the port and take a look at the colorful boats. Almost all water sports are possible on the wide sandy beaches.

Bayonne

Bayonne, in the French Basque Country, is not located directly on the coast but is still seen as a popular place among those who love the sun, the sea and the beach. It is the largest city in the region and has three well-known districts: Grand Bayonne, Petit Bayonne and Saint-Esprit. To get to these districts, you will need to cross the rivers Nive and Adour. Visit the beautiful cathedral Ste. Marie de Bayonne, the town hall, Château Vieux Bayonne, the old streets with half-timbered houses, cozy squares and the many shops where you can shop. Also be sure to taste the local dishes Piment d'Espelette, Bayonne ham and the famous Bayonne chocolate, when visiting Bayonne.

Biarritz

Biarritz became famous thanks to Eugénie de Montijo, the wife of Napoleon III, and has since grown into a luxurious and chic seaside resort. Both the rich and surfing enthusiasts like to visit Biarritz, they spend their holidays on the Grand Plage, Plage de Marbella or Plage de la Côte des Basques. There are various surf schools where you can take lessons. Biarritz is well-known for the lighthouse on Pointe St. Martin. Also visit Musée de la Mer, the Hôtel du Palais, the residence of Empress Eugénia, the beautiful Promenade and the Rocher de la Vierge. You can go shopping in the Halles and on the Rue Gambetta. Biarritz is also a great place to try delicious regional dishes.

Bidart

Bidart is located on the Basque coast, between Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz. Some famous landmarks are the Place Sauveur Atchoarena, the Bassilour mill where the famous Basque tarts with cream and black cherry are made and the Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, St. Joseph and Ste. Madeleine. From the rocky cliffs you have a beautiful view over the sea. Plenty of water sports are also possible on the beaches of Erretegia, l'Uhabia, Parlementia, Pavillon Royal or Centre. We also recommend going on a Quad Bike Tour from Bidart. In July there is a Marché Fermier Bidart'Eko and a Marché Nocturne. On the Place de la Mairie there is a market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Biscarrosse

Biscarrosse consists of three parts: Biscarrosse Lac, Centre and Plage. Not only the sea but also the lake, the largest in France, is popular with water sports enthusiasts. You can go both wind and kite surfing here. There are various Surf Schools in Biscarrosse where you can take surf lessons. These surfschools are located on the beaches of Maguide, Nord, Sud or Centre. You can enjoy walking or cycling through the dunes. Biscarrosse is also known for its seaplanes, visit the museum to learn more about this. Église St. Martin and Montbron Castle from the 16^thcentury are worth a visit. The village center has restaurants, souvenir shops and nice boutiques.

Cap Ferret

Cap Ferret is known as the oyster capital of France. This seaside resort is located on a peninsula with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Arcachon Basin on the other. From Arcachon, a ferry sails to Cap Ferret. You can also take boat trips from Cap Ferret. You can also climb the lighthouse 258 steps. From the lighthouse you will have a beautiful view over the basin and the Dune de Pilat near Arcachon. Cap Ferret is a small village with luxury villas and restaurants. The center has boutiques and shops. You can sunbathe or do water sports on the extensive beaches.

Capbreton

Located next to Hossegor, Capbreton is the only seaside resort in the Landes to have a port. The Capbreton fish auction is very popular, especially just after the boats come in to the port. The Boulevard invites you to stroll and look at the shops. You can also walk up the pier or visit Aquacéo, the water fitness center for relaxation and wellness. Various beaches such as Estacade, Océanides, Piste, Prevent, Savane and Centre offer opportunities for surfing or sailing. Visit events such as the Initiation Sauvetage Sportif Estivale, the Marché Traditionnel, the Feast of the Sea or Chipiron.

Badplaatsen 14 Carcans Gironde Landes aquitaine Frankrijk vakantie Salles luxe villa strand zee.jpg

Carcans-Plage

Northwest of Bordeaux, in the Médoc area, lies the town of Carcans and Carcans-Plage. The beaches of this area are also part of the Côte d'Argent, the coastal region that runs from the Gironde to the border with Spain. The waves here are not as high as in the south near the French Basque Country. Water sports enthusiasts who enjoy the peace and quiet come here. From Carcans-Plage, walk along Avenue de la Plage to the beach. Carcans is also home to Lac Carcans-Hourtin, the largest freshwater lake in Europe. You can also go shopping in Carcans-Plage and Carcans.

Hossegor

Hossegor is located between Capbreton and Seignosse. All of these places have wonderful surfing opportunities, but Hossegor is the most popular among professional surfers because of its high waves and ideal surfing conditions. There are several surf schools where you can learn to surf or further increase your professional skills. Hossegor is sometimes called the European Capitol of Surf. Every year Hossegor holds the Quiksilver Pro France. The Basque architecture is very evident in Hossegor. Visit the Boulevard and Place de Landais and the surf café founded by Roland Calaudi. Hossegor also has nice shopping streets with all kinds of boutiques and restaurants.

Mimizan-Plage

Mimizan is called the "pearl of the Côte d'Argent". It is one of the most important seaside resorts on the Landes coast. Water sports are practiced on the beaches of Remember, Sud, Ailes, Courant and Lespecier. Surfing is one of the most popular sports in the region due to the many surf schools and excellent waves. The waves arise from the sandbank just off the coast of Mimizan and then roll onto the beach perfectly. The Promenade Fleurie is a popular place to go for a walk and sit down at a café for a coffee. Visit the Unesco monument Musée du Prieure from the 12th century and visit the Forêt des Landes de Gascogne.

Badplaatsen 8 Moliets et Maa Gironde Landes aquitaine Frankrijk vakantie Salles luxe villa strand ze

Moliets-et-Maâ

The small seaside resort of Moliets-et-Maâ is beautifully situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It is located near the Courant d'Huchet nature reserve. Excursions are provided through this area. The chapel of St. Laurent de Maa, a resting place on the way to Santiago de Compostela, stands in the forest. The area is home to the longest golf course in France with its 27-holes and a view of the ocean. Moliets is a great place for surfing, kite surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking and sailing. In July and August there is a night market every Friday and a traditional market is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is a weekly demonstration of the Basque game of cards.

Ondres-Plage

Ondres-Plage is located about 10 km north of Bayonne. It belongs to the village of Ondres, which is about 3 km from the coast and is therefore not classified as a seaside resort. The village is still, however, worth a visit. Make sure to take time to explore the 12^th century Château de Roque which overlooks Lake Garros. You should also visit Église St. Pierre which is located on the road to Bayonne and is an intermediate step on the way to Santiago de Compostela. Ondres-Plage is located right by the sea and has a good tapas bar Barrio del Mar and restaurant Plancha du Pêcheur. It is mainly surfers who come to this beach. Both young and old take lessons at surf schools.

Pyla-sur-Mer

The seaside resort of Pyla sur Mer is known for the high dune located next to the seaside resort: Dune du Pilat. Pyla-sur-Mer has a number of beaches such as La Corniche, Petit Nice, Pyla, La Salie Nord and La Salie Sud. In the lively village there are nice shops, boutiques, restaurants and terraces. A striking building in the village is Villa Tethys, an Art Deco style building from 1924. Many water sports are practiced on the beaches. You can also go paragliding here from the high dune with a height of 110m. From this highest dune in Europe you have a beautiful view of the surroundings.

Badplaatsen 15 St. Jean de Luz Gironde Landes aquitaine Frankrijk vakantie Salles luxe villa strand

Saint-Jean-de-Luz

In the southern part of the Atlantic coast, near the border with Spain, lies St. Jean de Luz, a former stronghold of corsairs and the birthplace of composer Maurice Ravel. It is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in the region. Be sure to visit Place Louis XIV, named after the French king who married Maria Theresa of Spain in St. Jean de Luz in the église St. Jean Baptiste. You can go shopping here on the Rue Gambetta and the boulevard. From the boulevard you have a great view of the beautiful sandy beaches such as Grande Plage, Plage de Ciboure and Plage d'Erromardi. There are many delicatessen shops that sell the popular macarons.

Seignosse

Seignosse is one of the three towns famous for its surfing: Seignosse, Hossegor and Capbreton. Seignosse is the furthest from the coast and is also the quietest. It lies near the Landes forest and the lakes Etang Blanc and Etang Noir. We recommend visiting the following buildings; St. André with a beautiful bell tower and the Ste. Thérèse du Penon. Seignosse has extensive beaches: Bourdaines, Casernes, Estagnots and Penon. Many also know Seignosse due to the Atlantic Park, the largest water park in the Landes with all kinds of slides and swimming pools. In the summer months there are various weekly markets and night markets.

Soulac-sur-Mer

In the far north of the Gironde lies Soulac-sur-Mer, a beautiful family-friendly seaside resort. Many houses in Soulac-sur-Mer are built in the Belle Epoque style, which gives the village a beautiful appearance. The wide sandy beaches and lively boulevard are popular among many. Plage de l'Amélie is a particularly popular beach. Several beaches have lifeguards, which makes them safe for children. The older youth go surfing, kite surfing, sailing or swimming. Several surf schools offer lessons. Also visit the Notre Dame de la Fin des Terres basilica from the 12th century. You can go walking and cycling through the dunes.

Book your holiday in Aquitaine – Gironde

Our parks in this region Our houses in this region