La Teste-de-Buch is a commune of Gironde, in Aquitaine. Located in the historical region of Gascony, it is one of the largest cities in France by its surface area. Composed of La Teste-Center, Cazaux and Pyla-sur-Mer, it is bordering the tourist town of Arcachon.
Since the XIXth century, La Teste-de-Buch is a popular tourist city, especially for its opening on the Atlantic Ocean. One can enjoy a seaside resort, which houses the famous Pilat dune, or a nautical village, ideal for lovers of sailing and water sports.
Very old city, La Teste-de-Buch offers to the eyes of the visitors an interesting patrimony, ranging from religious buildings to natural wonders. With its family atmosphere and particularly dynamic, the Gascony City attracts all types of visitors in search of a lifestyle and idyllic setting for a holiday by the water.
Rich in heritage, the city of La Teste-de-Buch consists of three sites that abound of tourist places to discover.
Churches are not lacking, with the church of St. Vincent, in the center. A former castle chapel, it was built in the 15th century and has been enlarged many times. In the nautical village of Cazaux, visitors can admire the Saint-Pierre church which was once situated near the shores of the lake.
The center of La Teste-de-Buch offers beautiful monuments to be discovered, like the house of Verthamon, which now houses the town hall, the Place Jean-Hameau with beautiful 16th century buildings, or the house Lalanne, Which now serves as a municipal library. Walking around, visitors enjoy the Borde mill, the last vestige of a group of windmills and water that once stood on the town.
Built in 1915, the seaside resort of La Teste-de-Buch, Pyla-sur-Mer, has helped the tourist development of the city. This unmissable area still consists of sandy beaches overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and hosts one of the most beautiful natural sites in France, the very famous Dune du Pilat. Lively, this part of the town is also the theater of many sporting, cultural or entertaining activities.
Cazaux is the nautical village of La Teste-de-Buch and thus houses the port of the city. It is here also that one discovers with happiness the second largest freshwater lake of France, surrounded by the forest and arranged with taste. Part of the site has been classified as Natura 2000, thanks to a responsible economic development. On the spot, the lake hosts two monitored beaches, very frequented on sunny days, and other savages. Water sports and restaurants are also available.
A lively and resourceful city, La Teste-de-Buch is regularly the scene of cultural events.
La Teste-de-Buch offers from Tuesday to Sunday an internal market, as well as an open-air market on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Between January and February, the annual Ciné sans frontières festival is an opportunity to discover forty days about forty films in VOST.
La Teste-de-Buch proposes its musicals of April with concerts of all kinds, free or paid.
The month of May is the opportunity to discover the comic book festival, Bulles en Buch, with the presence of many authors.
In mid-July, the village of Cazaux is animated by its annual festival, you will be able to restore yourself and to attend the animations proposed.
Every Tuesday, the animation of the Mardinades on the esplanade of salt meadows will propose culinary and dancing evenings.
The first weekend of August, La Teste-de-Buch hosts its famous harbor festival. On this occasion, guinguettes are set up with orchestras, tasting places, musical evenings and a fair. A night market is also offered, and fireworks are organized on Sunday evenings.
The Colors of the World festival takes place in August with a multicultural market, exotic cuisines tasting, or crafts.
Many other activities are offered in summer and throughout the year.
Stage Optimist / Catamaran
- From 15 to 26 april 2024
- Cercle de Voile de Cazaux Lac
- From April 15 to 19 and from April 22 to 26,2024, optimist course (6 to 12 years) and catamaran course (11 years and over). Registration required.
Stages - Komono Circus
- From 15 to 26 april 2024
- Komono Circus, Plaine Sportive de Loisirs
- Komonò Circus offers fun and friendly workshops to discover or perfect all circus arts disciplines (aerial, acrobatics, object balancing, juggling and body expression). At the end of the week, the trainees will put on a short performance. A festive occasion for families to discover their children's work ! - > 4-6 year-olds (2-hour morning classes, Monday to Friday) - > 7-14 year-olds (5-hour workshops, Monday to Friday). - Information and online registration.
Les Ports de La Teste en Pinasse Électrique
- On 25 april 2024
- Port ostréicole
- Discover the Ports of La Teste de Buch on an electric Tillole. - Departing from the oyster-farming port of La Teste de Buch, board the ship for a journey through history, traditions and customs, all the way to the Port de Rocher via the Pointe de l'Aiguillon. - This tour is part of a sustainable approach in collaboration with the Bionav Association. The purchase of your ticket includes membership of the association until August 31. - You can buy your ticket online on our website or come to the Tourist Office in La Teste de Buch. - The minimum number of participants is 4 and the maximum 10.
Observer les Coquillages
- On 25 april 2024
- 55 avenue des ostréiculteurs, Parking de retournement
- Get your fishing boots on ! From 6 years old, Beatrice will take you to the beach at low tide, along the Prés Salés Est, to discover the treasures hidden by nature. With the fishing equipment provided by the guide, learn to recognize and preserve the shells, worms and algae that live in the Basin with an initiation of fishing on foot. - The visit starts from 4 people and the maximum number of participants is 15. - Reservations are required at the Tourist Office of La Teste de Buch.
Découvrir les Oiseaux du Bassin
- On 25 april 2024
- Avenue des Ostréiculteurs, Parking des Prés Salés Ouest
- Which birds live in the Basin throughout the seasons ? Meet Beatrice at the Prés Salés Ouest, a protected site renaturated in 2014, to observe the different species and their way of life : What do the birds eat ? What is their natural habitat ? The guide will lend you a pair of binoculars to observe the fauna and flora up close - The visit starts from 4 people and the maximum number of participants is 15. - Reservation is required at the Tourist Office of La Teste de Buch
La Balade de Mayou aux Prés Salés
- On 25 april 2024
- Parking des Prés Salés Ouest
- With guide Sandrine, we invite you and your family to discover the little paradise of salt meadows at La Teste de Buch. - This "Adiou ! Balade aux prés salés avec Mayou !" is a true tour of the five senses, designed for families with children aged six and over. The tour follows in the footsteps of Mayou, a skilled fisherwoman who introduces young and old to the secrets of nature. - You'll taste salicornia and obiones, observe waders and waders, learn why the mud is red and how the tides change this enchanting landscape. You'll also discover what's made from willow, birch and acacia. - Join Sandrine and Mayou for a breath of nature and iodized air ! - Each child receives a visit sheet. - Loop approx. 3.5 km.
Balade Yoga aux Prés Salés, Avec Sandrine
- On 25 april 2024
- Parking des Prés Salés Ouest
- An invitation to relax, connect with nature, breathe and move in an idyllic, serene setting. I invite you, young and old, alone or with your family, to spend some time relaxing and practicing yoga on the edge of this magical spot in the Prés salés Ouest. - Meet Sandrine in front of the Cabane du Piou for this wellness break !
Courses - Hippodrome de La Teste de Buch
- On 25 april 2024
- 785 route de Cazaux
- Located in the heart of a natural jewel of greenery of 80 hectares in the shade of pine trees and close to the ocean beaches and the Dune du Pilat. The Société des Courses de La Teste hosts 18 televised race meetings per year, taking place from March to September. This ultramodern venue has a 600-seat grandstand, a panoramic restaurant and a prestigious hall offering a panoramic view of the most beautiful race tracks in the South-West. Come and vibrate to the rhythm of the horses at La Teste de Buch racecourse !
Visite Privilège à l'Hippodrome un Jour de Courses
- On 25 april 2024
- Hippodrome de La Teste de Buch
- Your guide Christel will welcome you and take you on an unusual tour of the training center, followed by free admission (courtesy of the Sté des courses de la Teste de Buch) to the racecourse : a welcome drink will be offered to tour participants, and you'll be able to visit the backstage area and the weighing room with a professional from the world of horse racing, as well as watch the races throughout the day. - HIGHLIGHT : Each participant will receive a 3 ? betting ticket ! - The minimum number of participants is 12 and the maximum is 15. - Reservations required at La Teste de Buch Tourist Office
Kamishibai en Musique
- On 26 april 2024
- 2 Allée Clémenceau, Bibliothèque municipale
- Short kamishibai reading session for children aged 4 and over. - The kamishibai is a "paper theater", a storytelling technique of Japanese origin based on images scrolling in a butai (wooden theater). - Duration : 30-40 minutes
The town of Arcachon, enclosed in La Teste-de-Buch, is a well-known seaside resort, firstly by its exceptional seafront, but also by its winter town which houses superb holiday homes of the early twentieth century.
The numerous bike paths in the area allow you to cycle around the Arcachon basin and descend to Biscarrosse Plage, a seaside town by the ocean and a surf spot.
At Teich, take a stroll along the coast and in the bird park to discover the birds and the landscapes on the edge of the basin.
At 50 km, you can discover or rediscover the city of Bordeaux and its many attractions.
