The best beaches in Bordeaux

What are the nearest beaches to Bordeaux?

As well as luxurious wine, the Bordeaux region is also renowned for its beautiful beaches. On sunny days, many tourists flock to the Arcachon coast, unaware that there are in fact a large number of extraordinary beaches close to Bordeaux. By car, bike, train, plane or bus, you can get to the beach by any means. Few people know Bordeaux as an exquisite seaside destination: its beaches, which overlook not only the Atlantic Ocean but also rivers and lakes, offer tourists an excellent alternative to the Côte d’Azur.

Arcachon and the Bassin, the most popular areas

In south-west France and the Gironde, the Bay of Arcachon is home to 12 communes and 80 km of beaches and wooded dunes along the Côte d’Argent. This area is largely open to the Atlantic Ocean via the passes in the basin, and is home to a small inland sea covering 40 km² at low tide and 155 km² at high tide. The area is used for oyster farming, fishing and pleasure boating. In 2014, the Bassin d’Arcachon Natural Marine Park was created, home to a rich biodiversity.

Among this destination’s most popular tourist sites are the jewel of the Dune du Pilat, Cap Ferret and its lighthouse, Île aux Oiseaux and the famous Cabanes Tchanquées.

At the entrance to the marina, you’ll find Eyrac beach. Plage de l’Aiguillon is to the right of the Arcachon fishing port. Péreire, Moulleau, Abatilles and Arbousiers are on the outskirts of the town in the direction of Dune du Pyla. The beautiful beaches of Cap Ferret on the ocean side: Grand Crohot beach is located near the village of Lège; Truc Vert beach is on the forest road that runs alongside the ocean between Petit Piquey and Herbe; Garonne beach is a few hundred metres south of Truc Vert; Horizon and Dunes beaches are in the heart of the village; Torchère beach is the wildest beach in this selection and Pointe beach is at the southern end of the Cap Ferret peninsula.

In the heart of the Arcachon Basin, the five communes each have their own personality: Biganos (discover the port and its typical huts in the middle of the forest); Audenge (enjoy a walk in the Marais de Mesple), Lanton (after these escapades, it’s time for a swim at Plage Suzette or the large beach at Taussat-les-Bains), Mios and Marcheprime (for thrill-seekers).

• For whom: If you’re looking for a change of scenery, if you want to get away from it all with your partner, your family or your friends? Visit the Arcachon Basin and discover the breathtaking scenery and taste some seafood!
• Why: Bathing beaches, picturesque harbours and inviting jetties. Villages with a remarkable cultural heritage. A refined gastronomy where oysters and other seafood are the order of the day!

Getting there :

• By car: Journey time between Quinconces and Arcachon is approximately 1h 35m for a distance of around 61km. This includes an average stopover time of around 31 minutes.
• By train: It takes an average of 52 minutes to cover the 52 km distance between Bordeaux St-Jean and Arcachon by train. Around 27 trains leave Bordeaux St-Jean and arrive in Arcachon every day.
• By bike: It’s possible to cycle around the Bay of Arcachon! This 77-kilometre cycle route, which you can take as you wish, allows you to discover the iconic sites of the Bay of Arcachon.

Le Porge, au naturel

It’s an immense beach of fine sand where nature is preserved, between ocean, dunes and pine forest.

The ocean beaches of Le Porge, between Cap Ferret and Lacanau, stretch for 13 kilometres. After passing through a forest of maritime pines, you have to climb the famous dune belt (gravel paths provide easy access to the beach) to reach the fine sand. Lifeguards are on duty in summer. Don’t hesitate to move away from the beach entrance to find less crowded spots. Despite the tourist crowds in season, it is possible to find some rather quiet spots. It’s also a popular spot for surfers!

In summer, there are two supervised beaches: Le Gressier, where you’ll find small catering services and, if you go back to the north of the beach, there’s an area where you can practise naturism, so there’s plenty of room for everyone; and La Jenny, a 4-star naturist residential campsite with direct access to the beach. La Jenny campsite is set in 127 hectares of woodland, entirely dedicated to the rental of beautiful wooden chalets.

Who: lovers of wild and peaceful places.

Why: enjoy an enchanting setting, between ocean and forest, well protected by the dunes and offering visitors a host of cycle paths and forest tracks, perfect for discovering the natural side of things.

Getting there:

• By car: Approximately 1 hour’s journey at 55 km from the Quinconces beach in Le Porge-Océan.
• By bus: 1 hour 46 minutes on line 701 from Gare Saint Jean to Le Porge-Océan.

Lacanau, lake, surf & seafront

Surfing is the most popular pastime in Lacanau, with the town regularly hosting World Pro events. Derivatives of the sport, such as kitesurfing, are also very popular. The beach is supervised in July and August. You can try your hand at surfing or bodyboarding at the Lacanau Surf Club, or at Les Dauphins (opposite the campsite, on the north beach), which caters specifically for young people. As if there weren’t enough sports to choose from, you can even try sand yachting on this wide, sandy beach.

It’s a popular spot for families. Every water sport imaginable is available here: swimming, sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing and kayaking, with boats available for hire. If you want to dry off, you can take a walk around the lake or hire a bike.

On the south-western shore of Lacanau lake, the village of Longarisse is situated around a small bay that offers one of the best anchorages on the lake. Arriving from Lacanau town, once you’ve passed the canal des étangs, you’ll come to the village of Le Moutchic (a long grassy beach), which runs alongside the lake.

Who: Surf lovers, sports enthusiasts, young and old.

Why: Enjoy the Atlantic Ocean, learn to surf, cycle around the lake and forest, the Vélodyssée cycle path.

How to get there:

• By car: Approximately 51h05 journey, 58 km from Place des Quinconces to Lacanau-Océan.
• By bus: route 702 from Gare Saint-Jean to Lacanau.
• By bike: It’s a 4? hour journey along the Voie Verte (green route) built on the old railway line (66km).

Carcans, Maubuisson, Hourtin: between lake and ocean

Here, we live to the rhythm of the lake’s colours. Every day, these colours offer a grandiose spectacle at Lacanau or on France’s largest freshwater lake at Carcans and Hourtin. These magical mirrors are linked by the Canal des Étangs and are perfect spots for water sports. At Bombannes, Piqueyrot or Moutchic, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to sports and leisure activities.

The lakes, wild and unspoilt, are also the ideal place for a family swim, a stroll along the banks or a fishing trip at dawn.

There’s no better time to come and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of these lagoon-like lakes than in the morning, when you’ll be sheltered from the strong winds, or at the end of the day to admire the sunset.

This lake extends over 2,000 hectares, making it ideal for a wide range of water sports and charming little beaches.

Moutchic :

This is the most dynamic area, with its many “beach huts” where you can try your hand at stand-up paddling, canoeing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, wakeboarding and kitesurfing! There’s plenty of space to venture out on a pedalo or motorboat (with or without a boating licence), go fishing or simply enjoy the ultimate in relaxation!

Carcans-Maubuisson :

Situated on the water’s edge, this charming resort is ideal for families! The water is calm and turquoise blue, there are plenty of activities for children and it’s all accessible by bike. Try your hand at sailing, canoeing, stand-up paddling and pedal-boating. The resort is renowned for its windsurfing, and windsurfers love the huge open spaces!

Hourtin-Port :

In this pretty marina, you can have lunch on the terrace watching the boats come and go! On the other side, there’s a supervised swimming area where you can try your hand at all the typical water sports, fishing, boat trips and kitesurfing! In Hourtin, there are 2 areas specially dedicated to kitesurfing: Hourtin Port and Lacanau.

You can choose between beaches, lakes and the ocean! Once you’ve made your choice, let the ocean air guide you, the scent of summer evenings enchant you and the skill of the surfers impress you as they enjoy the evening waves. If you stay a little longer, you can also admire the magnificent clear starry sky! And if you look carefully towards the horizon, you might just catch a glimpse of the mysterious green light.

For whom: These places are perfect for families who love a variety of activities, for young and old alike.

Why: Holidays, typical water sports, fishing, boat trips, picnics and kitesurfing.

Getting to Carcans :

• By car: 58 km from Place des Quinconces to Maubuisson and 62 km to Carcans-Plage.
• By bus: You can take line 710 to Carcans and Carcans-Plage.

To Hourtin :

• By car: 64 km from Place des Quinconces to Hourtin-Port and 73 km to Hourtin-Plage.
• By train and bus: from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Lesparre-Médoc station, then you can take the 711 bus.