An upscale seaside resort in Arcachon Bay, located some sixty kilometres south-west of Bordeaux, elegant Arcachon can be enjoyed in all four seasons. While it particularly enchants summer holidaymakers in search of the beach and sea, it also delights visitors who love Belle Époque architecture. Indeed, the prestigious winter town, in the hills of Arcachon on either side of the peaceful Moorish Park (Parc Mauresque), contains a great number of villas built in the late 19th century in an eclectic range of styles, ranging from Swiss chalet to Neo-Gothic manor through English cottage. The most splendid include the Villa Toledo, Villa Trocadéro, Villa Alexandre Dumas, Villa Teresa, Villa Craigcrostan and Villa Brémontier.
The summer town, which stretches along the sea between the Eyrac Pier and the Chapel Pier, has all the ingredients for a great holiday: a beautiful sandy beach overlooking the tranquil waters of Arcachon, commercial streets ideal for shopping, outdoor cafés and restaurants for a drink, a plate of seafood or an ice cream, a museum-aquarium with the sea life of the region as well as galleries devoted to zoology, archaeology and oyster farming, a casino, bars and nightclubs to keep you entertained till the end of the night, and also many activities on offer all throughout the summer. The unmissable Thiers Pier is a nice place for a leisurely stroll while admiring the waterfront of the summer town and Arcachon Bay…
The tour of the resort then continues through the spring town, famous for its mineral water spring, Les Abatilles, the thalassotherapy centre, beach and Pereire Park, and the autumn town with the fishing ports and oyster farms, as well as the water sports centre, to indulge in sailing, kitesurfing, kayaking or even stand-up paddle. You'll find plenty to ensure a successful holiday, at any time of the year!
Seaside resort popular with tourists, Arcachon takes place in New-Aquitaine, in the department of Gironde. Main town of the basin of Arcachon, it faces the Atlantic Ocean, on the border of La Teste-de-Buch and the station of Pyla-sur-Mer.
Recent, the city of Arcachon was born from a separation with La Teste-de-Buch in 1857, notably thanks to the creation of a railway line with Bordeaux. The arrival of the tourists of the big city thus triggers the creation of a coastal resort. Arcachon is also known over the years for its activities of hydrotherapy, thalassotherapy and climatic therapy related to the discovery of the source Sainte-Anne des Abatilles.
Today still, Arcachon is appreciated for its beaches, as well as for its architecture Belle Epoque with the obsolete charm. Gastronomy, the Girondine city will seduce lovers of oysters, with a variety known since the time of Rabelais!
The winter town is one of the most popular areas of Arcachon. Rich in historic villas of the nineteenth century, it is the work of the brothers Pereire, bankers who arranged the site in the second half of the nineteenth century. This high-class resort reveals buildings that combine original Neo-gothic, Moorish, colonial, neoclassical or Swiss chalet styles. Attracting the crowned heads of all Europe, the winter town quickly developed with the "well-bearers", unlike the curists of the summer city. If the Moorish casino built in 1863 disappeared in a fire, one can still admire instead an immense park of several hectares. Located on top of a dune, it offers a breathtaking view of the summer town and the Arcachon basin, including an arboretum, a pinnacle marking the location of the former casino, and a sculpture of Claude Bouscau in homage to the dead resisters for France.
Six large villas in the winter town are especially worth a break. Built in the 1920s, Villa Iris has a rare Art Deco style in the oldest town, Villa Graigcrostan dates back to the end of the 19th century. The work of a Scottish aristocrat, she mixes the style like the Neo-Palladian with its columns on two levels. It has now been divided into private apartments. Certainly one of the most beautiful in the area, Villa Alexandre Dumas presents a Hispanic style mixed with rustic Italian architecture. A large garden with many species surrounds the building. Do not miss the villa Brémontier, one of the first built in the neighborhood. Re-designed a few decades later, it reinvented the style of the Swiss chalet. You will also notice the Villa Trocadero with its carved wooden decoration, or the Villa Toledo, its beautiful exterior staircase, its Hispanic style and Moorish park.
The Teresa Villa, also known as the Semiramis Hotel, has been completely renovated and deserves a visit.
As you walk through the resort, you can admire the sailors' chapel, the Sainte-Cécile belvedere and its breathtaking view of the region, the Notre-Dame basilica of the mid-19th century, or the synagogue listed in the Historic Monuments. In the city, several sculptures by Claude Bouscau are to be admired as the Heracles of the Moorish park.
To keep you entertained, head for the 19th-century Château Deganne, today it welcomes the casino of the beach. In neo-Renaissance style, it brings together an important collection of paintings.
A museum aquarium also allows you to learn a little more about the marine world.
But Arcachon is also a natural heritage of exception with its basin bordered by the dune of Pilat, the highest in Europe, or even the beach Pereire. The latter, with its maritime gardens, bike paths and hiking trails and lawns, is an ideal place to relax.
A listed natural site, l'île aux Oiseaux and its tchanquée huts are accessible by boat, and one can appreciate the marina, the second of the Atlantic Ocean.
Behind the scenes of the auction: attend the sale in auction and familiarize yourself with the different fish of the Basin: seiches, bars, redts, soles according to the seasons... Discover this unique atmosphere with a guide who A visit will make you share all the passion of the profession of fisherman.
The market is held every day of the week, in the morning, except on Mondays outside the school holidays. On July 13, the city offers a garage sale.
The patronal festival takes place on March 25 with a procession to the sea and animations for young and old.
In early July, Nuit Blanche offers a giant picnic all in white on the beach of Pereire.
Between July and August, Arcachon en scene with concerts of artists from all over the world.
Every July 14, a fireworks is fired on the beach.
The festivities of the sea take place around August 15 with a giant picnic, traditional boat rides, processions, fireworks and concerts.
At la Madeleine lake, it is possible to attend an open-air opera at the end of August.
In September, the Cadences Festival of Arcachon offers dance performances of all styles.
Exposition "Les Poèmes Bleus" de Tristan Alexandre
- From 28 march to 26 april 2024
- 2 Boulevard de la Plage
- Sensitive to environmental issues since his earliest childhood, Tristan Alexandre seeks to build a better world and find a new balance. He dreams of a utopian, poetic universe. - Born in 2000, Tristan Alexandre lives in Clermont-Ferrand. He graduated from Arts et Métiers in 2023. - But Tristan soon realized that the climate problem was more cultural than technological. He developed his artistic senses by attending evening classes at various art schools, notably the Beaux-Arts de Paris, in parallel with his studies. - At the age of 22, he won the NAE 2023 young talent prize for contemporary art, as well as the Prix Mayoux, which rewards students for their writing skills. - Opening on Thursday March 28 at 6pm, with a tasting of Terpène Gin. - Exhibition open during Salon opening hours.
Exposition de Peinture : Etienne Boschet dit "Eetée"
- From 2 to 30 april 2024
- 21 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, Théâtre Olympia
- Arborescence Nébuleuse, Déliquescence Délicieuse. - Applications : a dreamlike universe shaped by a mixed or hybrid technique, where traditional and digital painting come together. - Extractions : images generated by taking fragments from the creative process, which are then amalgamated, superimposed and distorted. - Free admission. Open to all. - From April 2 to 30,2024 at Théâtre L' Olympia, Arcachon, daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on show nights.
Grande Roue
- From 6 april to 12 may 2024
- Jetée Pierre Lataillade, Place Peyneau
- The Ferris Wheel is back on the Place Peyneau ! - Enjoy a magnificent view of Arcachon and the Bay of Arcachon every day from April 6 to May 12,2024. - Opening hours : - Monday to Friday, 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm. - Weekends and school vacations from 11am to 8pm.
Les Vacances de Printemps à la Piscine d'Arcachon
- From 8 april to 3 may 2024
- 4 Rue du Stade Matéo Petit
- Come and enjoy spring at the Arcachon swimming pool ! - On the program : - - Swimming course from April 8 to May 3 - - Inflatable structure from April 16 to 26 (Tuesday to Friday : 3pm to 6pm) - - Yoga : Tuesdays April 9,16 and 23 - - Longe côte : Thursdays April 11 and 25 - - Games tournament and snack : Wednesdays, April 17 and 24 - - BB swimmers : Saturdays April 20 and 27 - Activities on reservation.
Café Théâtre Le Zèbre : Maîtresse à Plein Temps
- From 11 april to 4 may 2024
- 24 Avenue de la République
- A comedy by Jérôme Paquatte, with Cécile Dubourg, Frédéric Brossard and Peter Carpentier. - A lover is fun, comes unexpectedly, leaves on the sly, at a snail's pace, brings the unexpected, otherwise it's called a husband. One lover spices up life. Having two complicates it. Patricia is going to find this out the hard way when her two lovers move in with her. But Patricia has a solution. Women always have a solution ! - At Café Théâtre Le Zèbre, April 11,12,13,18,19,20,25,26,27 and May 2,3 and 4,2024.
Arcachon en Forme - Avril à Juin 2024
- From 13 april to 30 june 2024
- 1 Avenue du Parc
- Arcachon en Forme : free sports courses. - Wednesdays in April and May from 9.30am to 10.30am Nordic walking. RDV in front of Tir au vol - APRIL - Saturdays - 9h30 Yoga, Milles Potes - 9:30 am Tai-chi, Place des Palmiers - ? Sundays - 9h30 Yoga, Tir au Vol - 9.30 am Tai-chi, Place des Palmiers - 10am jogging, Tir au Vol parking lot - 11am Fitness, Tir au Vol - MAY - ? Saturdays - 9h30 Yoga, Milles Potes - 9:30 am Tai-chi, Plage Pereire - ? Sundays - 9h30 Yoga, Milles Potes - 9.30 am Tai-chi, Plage Pereire - 10h Footing, Plage Pereire - 11am Fitness, Plage Pereire - JUNE Plage Pereire - ? Saturdays - 9h30 Yoga - 9:30 am Tai-chi - ? Sundays - 9:30 am Yoga, Tai-chi - 10h jogging - 11h Fitness - 12h Water walking
Exposition de Peinture - M' La Ville d' Hiver
- From 15 to 26 april 2024
- 46 Allée des Dunes, M' La Ville d'Hiver
- Painting exhibition by artist Muriel Prats on the theme "Breathe". - Meeting with the artist and demonstration : Tuesday April 16,10am to 12pm and Tuesday April 23,10am to 12pm. (registration required) - Vernissage on Thursday April 18 from 4pm to 6pm.
Visite Guidée du Bunker 502
- From 23 april to 21 may 2024
- Esplanade Georges Pompidou, ma. at - Office de Tourisme
- Built in 1943 during the German occupation, this 120 m² bunker, specialized in telecommunications, was built underground to be protected from bombing. Closed and levelled in 1946, it was forgotten until 2015. The GRAMASA research group carried out the excavations. This place, never visited until now, knows how to make the link between past and present, in an immersive, educational and patrimonial way. - This remnant of the Second World War is now restored and open to the public. An immersive scenography accompanies you in the discovery of this symbol of Arcachon. - We offer guided tours with qualified guides upon prior reservation.
Atelier Créatif Collage Floral
- On 24 april 2024
- 7 Rue Léon Cigarroa
- Theme : Mother's Day. - Creation of paintings, cards, etc. using collage techniques, for a personalized gift. - You'll leave with your own creations. - Organized by OOPS Design. - At 7 rue Léon Cigarroa. - Open to all ages. Paying. Registration required.
Festival de Musique de Chambre : Quatuor Modigliani
- On 24 april 2024
- 21 Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Théâtre Olympia
- ? Mozart : "Quartet No. 3 in G major, K 156 - ? Beethoven : "String quartet in F major, Op. 59 - "Razumovsky No. 1 - ? Smetana : String Quartet No. 1 "From My Life - The Quatuor Modigliani travels the world from concert to concert, and every year they come to Arcachon for a special concert. And what a program it is ! One of the Milanese Quartets by an adolescent Mozart is finely associated with one of the genre ? S greatest summits : Beethoven ? S Quartet op. 59 n°1 "Razumovsky". To round off the evening, the Modigliani take a trip through life in Bed ? Ich Söderman ? S Quartet "De ma vie" - By Bed ? Ich Smetana : the work retraces the composer ? S life. An absolute treasure !
