Arcachon Bay Day Trip from Bordeaux | Dune du Pilat, Oysters & the Atlantic

Private tour

2 to 25 persons

8 to 9 hours

Full day

This private Arcachon Bay day trip from Bordeaux is the ultimate romantic escape from the city — champagne at the top of Europe’s highest dune, fresh oysters straight from the farm, and the wild beauty of the Atlantic coast, all in a single day.

Arcachon Bay — One of France’s Most Spectacular Day Trips

Just 55 minutes from Bordeaux, the Bay of Arcachon is a world apart. An inland sea of 1,500 hectares fed by the Atlantic Ocean, its waters shift between deep blue and turquoise depending on the light — framed on one side by the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s highest sand dune at 110 metres, and on the other by a seemingly endless pine forest.

Climbing the dune is an experience in itself. From the summit, the view stretches across the Atlantic, the bay and the forest in three directions — one of those rare panoramas that stops you in your tracks and takes your breath away. We mark the moment with a glass of champagne. Because, why not!

After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll get out on the water on a traditional pinasse — a flat-bottomed wooden boat used in the bay since the 1500s — which will take you past oyster farms, the iconic Île aux Oiseaux and its stilted fishermen’s cabins, as well as the quiet corners of the bay that most visitors never even reach. And the oysters? Arcachon Bay produces some of France’s most celebrated. Sought and tasted straight from the farm, with a glass of crisp white wine and the sound of the Atlantic in the background, you’ll get to indulge in exactly the way oysters should be.

If you prefer to stay on land, there is a second option; lunch in a local restaurant followed by a guided tour of Arcachon old town. You will discover its history, which began more than 500 years ago and has flourished with holiday goers for decades, with modern visitors exploring the luxurious seaside boutiques and colorful esplanade.

To ensure your experience is intimate and undisturbed, your guide shall remain as discreet as possible, giving you enough space and time to be alone, to enjoy the landscape and your day together.

If you’re not a couple but still want to enjoy the beauty of the area, we can organize a unique and adventure-filled day for a small group of friends and/or family. For a birthday, bridal shower or hen’s party, stag party or beyond, we take care of preparing the ultimate celebratory trip for everyone! Don’t hesitate to fill in the contact form to share your ideas and make any special requests, even the craziest ones!