Discovering the Atlantic coast: a practical guide
From Vendée to the Landes, the Atlantic coast alternates islands, beaches, dunes, bays and marshes. It is a seaside destination, but also a land of heritage and vineyards.
This practical guide helps you choose your stops and organise your trip. Underlined site names link to their detailed pages.
Understanding the Atlantic coast
Vendée and Charente-Maritime lie to the north, with La Rochelle, the islands and the Marais Poitevin; Gironde and the Landes to the south, with Arcachon, Cap Ferret, Hossegor and Dax.
The coast is long: allow several hours between La Rochelle and Hossegor. For a first trip, pick one area rather than trying to cover everything.
- Choose a base: La Rochelle, Arcachon or Hossegor.
- Avoid the coastal roads on August weekends.
- A bike is ideal on the islands.
La Rochelle
Prefecture of Charente-Maritime and a great historic Atlantic port, famous for its medieval towers guarding the entrance to the Old Port.
Arcachon
A seaside resort created in the nineteenth century on the shores of the bay, famous for its Ville d'Hiver with extravagant villas nestled in the pine forest.
Hossegor
A seaside resort renowned for its powerful waves that make it one of the world's surfing meccas, built around a marine lake ringed with pines.
Cap Ferret
The tip of the Gironde peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and Arcachon Bay, famous for its red-and-brick lighthouse and its oyster huts.
Culture, history and heritage
La Rochelle is a historic port, with the Aquarium de la Rochelle, the Le Bunker de La Rochelle and the Musée de l'Hydraviation nearby. The region is also rich in castles: Château de Taillebourg, Château de Jonzac, Château de Cadillac, Château de Rauzan, Citadelle de Blaye, Château de la Roche-Courbon.
Saint-Emilion, the wine town, is one of the most popular stops. The Museum du Coquillage and the Folie de Finfarine are more unusual visits.
- Book ahead for Saint-Emilion in summer.
- Charente-Maritime castles are often open in the warmer months.
- La Rochelle is best explored on foot and by bike.
Saint-Emilion
Saint-Émilion is a commune in south-west France, in the Gironde département and the Aquitaine region.
Citadelle de Blaye
The Blaye citadel is a 38-hectare military complex built between 1685 and 1689 by the military architect François Ferry, director general of the Guyenne fortifications, under the supervision of Sébastien Vauban.
Aquarium de la Rochelle
In the town centre, facing the Old Port, discover one of the largest private aquariums in Europe.
Château de la Roche-Courbon
Set on the banks of a watercourse, the Bruant, this site, wedged between two cliffs, was at all times chosen by man.
Food and local produce
The oysters of Arcachon Bay and Marennes-Oléron are famous, as are mussels, shrimps and fish. You can also try south-west cooking: duck, Landes asparagus, canelés, Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion wines, and cognac.
Oyster farmers' huts let you taste on the spot, with a view of the bay. Markets in the seaside towns are good places to buy produce.
- Taste the oysters in the oyster farmers' huts.
- Book in advance in summer.
- Nominate a driver when visiting vineyards.
Arcachon
A seaside resort created in the nineteenth century on the shores of the bay, famous for its Ville d'Hiver with extravagant villas nestled in the pine forest.
Saint-Emilion
Saint-Émilion is a commune in south-west France, in the Gironde département and the Aquitaine region.
Dax
Dax is a French commune in the Landes département and the Aquitaine region.
Nature and wide open spaces
The La Dune du Pilat is the tallest sand dune in Europe. The Bassin d'Arcachon and the Banc d'Arguin are exceptional natural areas. The islands offer dune landscapes: Dunes de l'Ile de Ré, Dunes de l'Ile d'Oléron. The Forêt des Landes and the Le Courant d'Huchet are wilder.
For children, the Zoo de La Palmyre is one of the most popular outings. The Jardin botanique de Bordeaux is a quieter stop.
- Climb the Dune du Pilat early in the morning or late in the day.
- Watch the tides for the Banc d'Arguin.
- Respect protected dune areas.
La Dune du Pilat
Nestled between ocean and forest, the largest dune in Europe proudly overlooks the entrance to Arcachon Bay from its 109 m. The beauty of its landscape, endlessly sculpted by wind and tides, makes it a true wonder of nature, ephemeral and fragile.
Banc d'Arguin
A sandbank at the entrance of Arcachon Bay, a nature reserve and bird refuge, facing the Dune du Pilat.
Zoo de La Palmyre
La Palmyre is a beachside zoo; polar bears, giraffes, monkeys or flamingos have taken up residence in the Charente-Maritime at La Palmyre zoo. A true Eden for these very special tenants.
Le Courant d'Huchet
The immense beaches of the Aquitaine coast are all bordered by dunes. Behind these dunes a string of lakes has formed.
When to go and how to plan
June and September are the best months: the sea is pleasant and the beaches are less crowded. July and August are very busy. Winter is quiet, with sometimes spectacular storms.
A car is useful, but a bike is very handy on the islands. A week-long trip can combine La Rochelle and the islands, then Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion and Arcachon.
- Book accommodation well ahead in summer.
- Bring sun protection.
- Check swimming conditions before heading out.
Château de Cadillac
Overlooking the Garonne and the bastide of Cadillac, the château de Cadillac is a brilliant example of architecture from the very early seventeenth century.
Marais Poitevin
The ensemble formed by the Marais Poitevin and the Baie de l'Aiguillon (relic of an ancient marine gulf) extends over about 100,000 hectares, straddling three départements (Vendée, Deux-Sèvres and Charente-Maritime) and two regions (Pays de la Loire and Poitou-Charentes).
Dunes de l'Ile de Ré
The Île de Ré stretches for nearly 30 km. It is formed of a series of islets, now joined, the three main ones being Ré, Loix and Ars.
Going further
Explore the départements of this area: