Escape to Cap Ferret

Large beaches with fine sand, the delicious scent of the pine forest, adorable fishing huts, villas nestled in lush greenery — there is no doubt, you’ve arrived at the peninsula of Cap Ferret.

>> Book your train to Arcachon

• Discover the oyster farming ports and villages
• Visit the village of l’Herbe
• Go for a cycle
• Climb to the top of the Cap Ferret lighthouse
• Sample fresh oysters

Due to its geographical location, Cap Ferret devotes itself to oyster farming. Here, no less than 11 oyster ports and villages can be found. You will also find numerous tasting shacks along the waterfront.

Amongst the villages of Cap Ferret, we recommend the village of l’Herbe as the most picturesque. Utterly charming with its colourful wooden cabins and its maze of narrow alleys leading to the beach, the village can be visited freely all year round, or with a guide in the summer.

An absolute must-see: Chapelle de la Villa Algérienne (Chapel of the Algerian villa). At the end of the 21^st century, Léon Lesca constructed a Moorish style villa. Destroyed in the 60s, only the chapel remains. From mosaics to mashrabiya, this building features everything typical of an oriental style.

Ready for a short bike excursion? Make your way to the village of Four, then to Grand Piquey and finally, Petit Piquey. La Pointe aux Chevaux, located between these two villages, offers a panoramic view over the whole bay.

One of the unmissable elements of Cap Ferret is its lighthouse. The superb view from the top of the lighthouse is well worth the climb: 258 steps are between you and the breathtaking view. From the top, panoramic views of the Bassin d’Arcachon, the Dune du Pilat, the sea and the peninsula await you.

>> Discover the Dune du Pilat

The building itself, designed in an art-deco style, is worth paying attention to. And for those interested, a museum can also be found here with notable features including animated nautical charts and interactive screens.

Make sure you do not leave without having tasted the oysters of Cap Ferret. Smooth, low fat and salty, they can be enjoyed with a glass of Entre-deux-Mers while gazing at the pinasse boats on the Bassin d’Arcachon.

Every summer, at Cabane 57 in Piraillan, Sylvie Latrille offers introductions to oyster tasting.

To get there, several options are available. Take the car, or, book your train to Bordeaux and from there, rent a car to take you where you need to go. Alternatively, take the shuttle boat from Arcachon!