Arcachon
- a brief introduction
Surrounded
by golden sands, Arcachon lies on
the mouth of the Bassin d’Arcachon – a rare inlet
on the long, straight, west coast of France.
Arcachon became
popular when the railway arrived in the 1850s, bringing
with it the bourgeois folk of Bordeaux, and the new fashion
for sea-bathing.
Much of the resort was built to the Anglophile tastes of
Napoleon III, with cute winding lanes lined with ornate villas.
Arcachon was split
into four sections, named after the seasons. The pine-shaded
Ville d’Hiver (Winter Town) became highly fashionable
in the 1860s, and has been regularly frequented by royalty,
politicians, artists and celebrities from Napleon III to
Debussy and Marilyn Monroe. Hundreds of indulgent new villas
were built as second homes, in a range of quirky styles. Over 200
of these handsome villas still line the broad avenues, boasting
sculpted gables, balconies and external staircases. At the
heart of the Ville d’Hiver, the Parc Mauresque offers
wonderful overall views of the Bassin d’Arcachon –
the inlet separating Arcachon from the exclusive
Cap Ferret peninsula.
Most tourist
facilities are available in the Ville d’Été (Summer Town).
Toulouse-Loutrec once lived here, and took great delight
in shocking his neighbours with daily nude swims. This ‘summer
resort’ stretches along the sea front between two
jetties; with terrace cafés, a casino, and frequent water-sport
events including sailing regattas and speedboat races.
The Ville d’Automne (Autumn Town)
is a hive of nautical activity on
yet more seafront, with a marina and busy fishing port –
most fishing uses traditional methods.
The Ville de Printemps (Spring Town)
also offers more beachfront, lined
by a shady pedestrian walkway. This area offers a huge sports
complex, avenues of wealthy mansions, its own spring and
bottled water, and access to the surf beach.
| Arcachon
- Our Personal Favourites |
| • |
Watching
the sun go down, sat on top of Dune de Pyla (Europe's
highest sand dune), taking in the glorious coastline and
Bassin lagoon. |
| • |
Tasting
oysters fresh from the sea at the
oyster village of La Hume. |
|
• |
Lazy
days paddling on Arcachon's sheltered sandy beaches
|
| • |
Strolling
around the Ville d’Hiver, taking in the opulent
architecture, and enjoying views
from Eifell’s observatory in Parc Mauresque. |
| • |
People-watching from the chich cafés of Le Moulleau & Pyla Sur Mer. |
