📌Just under 1H of driving per day over 6 to 7 days
👍The plus: short journeys, time to explore, walk and swim. Wild nature (forest roads) and choice beaches!
📍Stages: Grand Crohot beach, Cap Ferret, Truc Vert, Biganos, Réserve du Teich, Dune du Pilat
ROAD TRIP WEEK: BORDEAUX → CAP FERRET → DUNE DU PILAT (6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS)
DEPARTURE : from the Bordeaux agency D1250 to Marcheprime then the D106
ARRIVAL : D107 - Route de la Plage (1H - 60 km)
It's by crossing the pines of the Gironde Landes that you gradually arrive in the north of the Arcachon Basin. This first journey to reach the west coast is the longest of your road trip (and yet it only takes a little over an hour). The rest will be done in slow travel to give you time to discover the natural beauties of the region and relax. From beaches to coastal ports and from nature reserves to gastronomic itineraries, this week of travel will give you a taste of the sea salt and the display of colorful sarongs! If you want to fill up on vitamins, keep going!
DAY 1: IN SEARCH OF SALTY SWEETNESS NEAR SUNSET
BORDEAUX → LEGE / GRAND CROHOT (60 KM - 1H)
To start your sunny vacation off right, stock up on good products! Bordeaux is a city that prioritizes short supply chains and emphasizes local producers.
👉 OUR RECOS:
- La ferme du Ruisseau in Haillan offers ready-made baskets or even lets you pick your own. It is located at 23 avenue de la République. Sales are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- La Recharge is a packaging-free, "zero waste" grocery store where you can buy local products. Remember to bring your own bags before shopping for the week. Located at 38, rue Saint Colombe, 33000 Bordeaux
Buy in bulk or pick up a ready-made basket in the market gardening area of Eysines :
- Légumes de Cyril Garnaud, chemin de Langlet
- Les jardins d’Ethan, 14 rue du moulin blanc
- La Carte Manger Local from Bordeaux Metropole lists the short circuit sales points of the 148 farms in the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
Fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, and dairy products, you are spoilt for choice to fill your fridge with ethical and tasty consumption!
- Le drive fermier to fill your basket online and pick up your order in Bordeaux center, Lormont, Eysines, or Gradignan on Fridays from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. or on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Rimons!
Now that your fridge is full, you can start this road trip in complete freedom. Your first point of interest is the Grand Crohot. It is a vast beach located in the heart of pine forests, ideal for watching the sunset, comfortably settled on the fine sand. Located after Lège, at the entrance to the Cap Ferret Peninsula, it is the favorite spot for surfing and swimming enthusiasts, as well as for little sandcastle builders! Starting point for many cycle paths to visit Cap Ferret by bike, here are our walking recommendations:
- 12 to 15 km - 3h30 to 4h depending on the loop. Several trails start from our first beach heading south via the GRP Tour du Bassin d’Arcachon, or the DFCI trails (fire defense tracks). They pass through clearings and sometimes cross small ponds. The arrival is in Piraillan, a picturesque oyster farming village. You can then continue to the Pointe du Cap Ferret (+5 km)
- 8 to 10 km - 2h30 to 3h - A calm walk in the Landes de Gascogne forest, crossing the area between the D106 and the sea.
👉 FOR BIVOUAC, WE RECOMMEND:
- Lège forests for maximum discretion and freshness, a gentle awakening guaranteed! (located 5min from the main beach)
- On the Grand Crohot beach for a sea view and the gentle sound of the waves - but much less discreet. We advise arriving after 8 p.m. and leaving before 8 a.m. Beach shower and WC on site for practicality
- Chemin de l’Aiguillon or the small roads perpendicular to the D106 and D107
DAY 2: BOAT TRIPS AND WATER ACTIVITIES IN THE ARCACHON BASIN
GRAND CROHOT → CAP FERRET (30 KM - ABOUT 40 MIN)
To start the day well, it's best to wake up early in the morning. Between sea activities, hikes, sunbathing on the beach, or walking to the Pointe Ferret, you'll recharge your batteries! This corner of the region opens up new horizons; a walk to the Pointe du Cap Ferret is enough to make you feel like you're alone in the world, surrounded by the song of crickets. Nature is everywhere, like a friend accompanying you wherever you go.
👉 TO DO
You can enjoy a 360° view of the Arcachon Basin and Cap Ferret if you venture to its lighthouse. To get there, take the Cap's little train between the jetée Bélissaire and the plage de l’Horizon. And if you wish to leave the driving behind to explore the entire Basin outdoors, it's even better!
- By bike, via the cycle paths in the pine forest, allow 2h to 2h30 (25 to 28 km)
- If you're more in a marine mood, the maritime lines connecting Cap Ferret with the rest of the Arcachon Basin are numerous. They allow you to explore the different areas all year round. For example, there is the line Cap Ferret - Arcachon (30 min, €15 round trip) / line Cap Ferret ; Dune du Pilat - Banc d’Arguin which takes you directly to the foot of the Dune in 40 min, then to the Banc in 15 min (€33 round trip)
- Excursion to visit the Parc Naturel Marin du Bassin
To discover the hidden treasures of the basin nestled in the waves, a boat trip is a must. Here, it's relaxing and utterly beautiful. You can notably see the oyster parks, Île aux oiseaux and the cabins perched on stilts (cabanes tchanquées), all in one escape!
- Canoe-kayak trips, guided or independent (€10 per hour / €30 per day)
- Stand up paddle with a 1-hour initiation lesson. Recommended trips:
→ Tour of the Île aux oiseaux by SUP. Journey of about 3h with a possible stop on the island.
→ Along the villages of Cap Ferret. Discovery of the oyster farming villages of Cap Ferret. 1h30 out, stop for tasting in an oyster hut, and 1h30 back.
→ Les Prés Salés. Walk in the Reserve Naturelle des Prés Salés, at the entrance to the Arcachon Basin. You can reach the canal des étangs which connects to Le Porge and then Lac de Lacanau.
- Thrills: water skiing, towed buoy, and wakeboarding. To do with friends or family for guaranteed laughsKitesurfing and jet skiing
HEART'S CHOICE ️ Plage de la Pointe aux Cheveux, considered one of the most beautiful in Cap Ferret. With its little huts perched on the sand, it retains all the authenticity of the oyster farming villages, and from the stairs of the Dune du Piquey, the view is breathtaking
👉 WHERE TO EAT?
There are a multitude of oyster huts in the oyster farming villages of the region. To enjoy fresh seafood in an idyllic setting, here are our recos:
- La Cabane 171, Route du Cap Ferret, Lège-Cap-Ferret
- Cabane Dégustation de la Conche (village des Jacquets), Impasse de la Conche, Lège-Cap-Ferret
- La Cabane de Cacanio, 4 Av. de l’Herbe, Lège-Cap-Ferret
- Emile et une Huitre, Avenue de l’Herbe, Lège-Cap-Ferret
👉 WHERE TO SLEEP?
Of course, a dream spot means a bivouac spot in the middle of wild nature, discreet for parking the van and chilling all evening. So we'll avoid the super touristy parking lots, like at the Pointe du Cap or Truc Vert, to set up camp among the pine groves and coastal forests.
- On the edge of the chemin des réservoirs or DFCI T1, forest behind the Piraillan Reservoirs
→ the +: wooded, secluded, and quiet
- Between Le Canon and l’Herbe, chemin de la Pointe aux Chevaux. Away from the D106, follow the small forest road
→ the + : located 10 min from a spot with a secret beach
- Heading towards the Pointe, near the Dune d’Amélie
→ the +: wild spot, sandy area
DAY 3: A BEAUTIFUL WALK IN THE FOREST ON THE COAST
There is so much to do and see in this wild area between land and sea. Road trips are made for getting lost, with poetry, vigor, or gently. The sensory experiences, without a specific goal, are a way to lighten the superfluous thoughts that often cloud our daily lives as city dwellers. So, this third day could be devoid of a program so you can take the time to feel everything around you. Starting from the village of Canon or the Cap Ferret parking lot, trails and cycle paths lead you to Truc Vert (Lège and Cap Ferret state forest). It is a magnificent coastal forest bordered by maritime pines that opens the way to the ocean, ending on the beach with your feet in the water. The distance is 6 to 8 km, which takes about 1h30 on foot and 30 min by bike. The DFCI T3 path is the most used for this journey, and you can even do this crossing in the van, this path offering several shady and discreet spots to stop and bivouac (DFCI tracks T2 and T3 and the road to Truc Vert beach).
✨YOU CAN: Let yourself be carried along the path to the dunes, where the Atlantic surges, a blue immensity that brings the waves to the foot of the cliffs. Truc Vert is still in its raw state, free of any development. It is the ideal place to swim peacefully, freed from minor worries.
Lay your towel on the sand and let yourself be lulled by the light wind whistling a sea air
Collect shells, let yourself be surprised by chance encounters: a rabbit, a deer hidden in the pine groves might come to greet you
Organize a simple dinner with the products you conscientiously selected at your departure
Observe the multitude of stars twinkling above your head. ✨
👉 CLEARING BIVOUAC SPOT:
On the Route de la Plage du Truc Vert, amidst the pine groves, about 1.5 km from the final parking lot.
DAY 4: DISCOVERIES BETWEEN THE PENINSULA AND THE ARCACHON BASIN
CAP FERRET → BIGANOS → LE TEICH (ABOUT 45 KM - 1H TO 1H10)
Take the D106 then the D3E5 which runs along the east coast of the basin. Don't hesitate to take nature breaks to appreciate the landscape and eat on the go.
👉 TO DO IN BIGANOS :
- The colorful port amidst the vegetation
- Stroll through the town, photographing the pretty wooden chalets and boats strewn across the mudflats
- Stroll around the Eyre river, the coastal river of the Landes de Gascogne region
👉TO DO IN LE TEICH :
This same river, nicknamed “the Little Amazon”, offers an ideal setting for a waterside picnic. You can also take a canoe trip on the delta, water levels permitting.
You can also visit the Ornithological Reserve and its 300,000 birds, between lagoons, marshes and meadows. There are guided tours and hiking trails to explore the Reserve on a loop (2 loops of 2.5 km to 6 km 3/4h). It will be really nice for you, after this sporty walk, to admire the sunset over the stretches of water.
👉WHERE TO SLEEP :
According to the official website for the Leyre Valley and the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park, “isolated” bivouacs are prohibited, but here are the authorized areas along the Leyre :
- Airial de Mexico (Commensacq - 40),
- Halte du pont de la Pouloye (Trensacq- 40)
- Halte de Testarrouman (Pissos - 40),
- Halte de l'airial de Lavigne (Moustey - 40),
- Camping park de l'Eyre (Salles - 33).
All these areas are on the banks of the watercourse.
DAY 5 : TRANQUILLITY BETWEEN SEA AND FOREST :
→ TOWARDS THE LAGUNE BEACH
To the south of the basin lies the Lagune beach. Little info: part of it is officially dedicated to naturists, but outside this area, access is reserved for everyone. So if you prefer to keep your swimsuit on, the northern or central part is a great place to walk in peace and quiet and enjoy the serene atmosphere of unspoilt nature. You can also go to the Petit Nice beach, where there's a superb view of the Banc d'Arguin and a lovely coastal path.
In the afternoon, why not explore the Salie lagoon or stop off at the oyster port of La Teste?
👉 WHERE TO SLEEP ?
- Via the forest tracks and heading towards the Southern Dunes, you'll find a lovely nature spot in a clearing
- Don't hesitate to use the Park4night app to find places to put your van down off the beaten track!
DAY 6 : LA DUNE DU PILAT, ASCENT AND CONTEMPLATION
Dune du Pilat lies on the same coastal strip as Plage de la Lagune and Plage du Petit Nice. So you can easily reach the dunes on foot or by van, as you wish. For your information, it will take you 15 to 20 minutes (7 to 8 km) to drive to the Dune parking lot. Still, it's fun to tread the sand by taking the GR8 trail for 4.5 to 5 km (1h15 to 1h30) and skirting the pine trees. After that, it's up to you to climb the wildest part of the trail, for something even more unexpected!
This walk is sure to leave you with authentic memories of your trip to the Arcachon Basin.
You can stop off at Port de Larros, Domaine de Certes or Andernos-les bains for a final dip. Count on between 2h30 and 3h for the return journey, joining the D106 and then the A660.
Between the iodized air of the beaches and the good smell of the pines, your van ride back to Bordeaux will be full of good vibes and your energy renewed ☀️
To rent the perfect van for your road trip, click right here
