Transport
Getting there
| By Train | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Via | Time | Time |
| Calais | A28, A10 | 9 hours | via Paris (change in station) 6 hours |
| Paris | A10 | 6 hours | Direct TGV 2:45 hour |
| Dieppe | A28, A10 | 7:30 hours | via Rouen then Paris 7:30 hours |
| Le Havre | A28, A10 | 7 hours | via Paris (change station) 7 hours |
| Cherbourg | A10 | 7:30 hours | via Paris (station change) and Bordeaux 8 hours |
| Marseilles | A62 | 6:40 hours | via Paris: 7 hours |
Ferry: Apart from local ferries, there are no international ferry operators in the area. The closest ferry to the UK would be in Bilbao, Spain.
Air: 66 km away is the international airport for Bordeaux with many international and national flights.
Within Arcachon
Arcachon is not very big and you can easily get around it on foot. However, they have an extensive bus network (see map below).
You can buy a 1 hour bus pass, costing you €1 (2019 price year) allowing you to change bus routes at will for 1 hour. The ticket can be bought on the bus. All other tickets, including a 10 tickets block, need to be bought in the Baïa agencies.
For more detailed information about the bus network and routes, click here (in French only)
Restaurants
Arcachon is famous for its oysters yet you’ll not find an abundance of restaurants in this city. There is one 1 star Michelin restaurant (Le Patio) and some 32 other restaurants.
If you are interested in eating oysters, go to the neighbouring La Teste-de-Buch (the Arcachon busses bring you there). This is the place where all the small oyster producers are based. Apart from seeing the boats coming in with fresh oysters, many have eating facilities in shacks around the harbor where you can sample their food. But mind you, all you can eat is oysters and drink wine.
Hotels
Arcachon is a popular holiday and weekend destination, so as you would expect, there’s a good hotel offering in and around the city, ranging from low cost to expensive.
Things To See
- Foremost, the Winter City. Stroll along the many outrageous villas
- Climb the observation tower in the Winter City
- Swim in the Arcachon bay
- Stroll the inner city and relax at one of the many cafe terraces
- Visit the Mauresque garden/parc
- Visit and climb the neighboring Pilat Dunes (in Pyla-sur-Mer), sand dunes that are over 100 meters high and 3 kilometres wide
- Visit the former chateau now a casino at the beach
- Take a 20 minute ferry ride to Cap Ferret, tour the lighthouse and have a nice lunch (you will need to reserve a table if it’s sunny)