Holiday Inn Express
La Teste-de-Buch - 9 Avenue de Binghamton
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A true attraction of the New Aquitaine coast, the Dune du Pilat is a natural site steeped in exoticism and majesty.
Over 103 metres high, 600 metres wide and 3 km long, the highest dune in Europe offers a striking contrast with the forest behind it, the sand and the ocean. This very high wall of sand is constantly evolving: under the action of the wind, it moves from 1 to 5 metres towards the forest massif. Its evolution is carefully studied by scientists.
One hour from Bordeaux, in the commune of La Teste de Buch, 55 million m3 of sand grains await you to tread: formed centuries ago, the Dune du Pilat is the result of the accumulation of several generations of dunes. Always in motion, it is measured every year and today is the highest dune in Europe.
Also known as Grande Dune du Pilat, the dune is immense: it measures over 500 metres wide, 3 km long and reaches a height of between 100 and 115 metres above sea level. Thanks to its unexpected location and incredible beauty, it has become a popular tourist destination in France, with over a million visitors a year.
Interestingly, the dune is constantly moving inwards, slowly pushing the forest back until it covers houses, roads and even parts of the Atlantic Wall. The speed of movement is discontinuous: sometimes the dune moves fast, almost 10 metres in a year, and sometimes very slowly, less than a metre. In the last 60 years, the dune has moved almost 300 metres, equivalent to an annual movement of about 4.9 metres per year.
The natural basin formed by the Arcachon basin, combined with the action of sea currents, leads to considerable sand deposits that form the Banc d’Arguin. Blown by the powerful sea winds, the sands of the Banc d’Arguin are then lifted and deposited on the dune to form this gigantic mass of fine sand.
Although the Dune du Pilat still shifts by 1 to 5 metres every year, it has been found to be quite stable. The only way to prevent the dune from rolling for several dozen metres a year was to create attachment points for the sand that accumulated there.
This was made possible by the implementation of a vast reforestation campaign in the region, ordered by Napoleon III. Hundreds of thousands of maritime pines were planted and the dense Landes forest allows the 55 million m3 piled up there to be contained.
The dune is a wild and protected place that has remained intact over the centuries. The only noteworthy, and extremely practical, improvement are the ladders that are installed at the beginning of each season and allow access to the summit with a measured effort. Otherwise, there is absolutely nothing on the dune.
Instead, at the foot of the dune, after the car park, you will find numerous facilities available to visitors: picnic tables, water points, toilets, free activities and exhibitions for children, food stands, souvenir shops.
In high season, the resort is literally taken by storm, prices rise considerably and you can expect queues and traffic jams not only to park but also to climb the stairs. To avoid getting caught up in the crowds, we recommend that you move away from the busiest spots and, armed with a picnic, try to climb up to other free, albeit more strenuous, access points.
Access to the top of the Dune du Pilat can only be done on foot. It is impossible to get there by vehicle, there are obviously no lifts or escalators: you will have to walk.
To facilitate the ascent, a staircase is installed from April to the beginning of November. Although the 160 steps will certainly take your breath away, you only need to be in a normal physical condition to be able to reach the top of the dune without any particular problems. You do not need to be athletic, it is feasible even with children: we simply advise you to climb at your own pace, without hurrying, and taking breaks if necessary.
At other times of the year things become more difficult. Once the ladder has been disassembled, there is no choice but to try the ascent directly into the sand. Again, despite a gradient approaching 40°, climbing up is within everyone’s reach, each at his or her own pace.
Unfortunately, due to its particular site configuration, the Dune du Pilat is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Located at the entrance to the Arcachon basin, the Dune du Pilat overlooks the tip of Cap-Ferret and offers a view of the Atlantic Ocean, the forest of La-Teste de-Buch and on a clear day, even the Pyrenees. To admire this amazing view, the thing to do on the Dune is to walk and hike along the ridge to enjoy the magic of the place.
The dune is immense, with sand as far as the eye can see. Do not hesitate to get as far away as possible from the access to the summit to enjoy the tranquillity of the place. Let your gaze wander: to the east, on the side where you made the ascent, you will see an endless maritime pine forest, the largest artificial forest in Europe. On the other side, on the west side of the dune, where the slope is much gentler, the ocean, the Banc d’Arguin and the tip of Cap Ferret. Finally, to the north, the basin and Arcachon.
At the foot of the dune, on the western side, you can descend and spend some time on the Corniche beach. With the Pilat dune behind it, the place is ideal for sunbathing. Please note that to ascend to the summit from this side, there are no ladders, regardless of the season.
To unveil the mysteries of this ultra-protected space, the Grand Site de la Dune du Pilat organises numerous activities for young and old, including guided walks during the day and at sunset, workshops and storytelling evenings. You can also try paragliding or descend from the other side, arriving at the beach, at the foot of the dune.
Remember that once you get to the crest, you will find no shade, no water and no refreshment points. Leave equipped and always take a bottle of water, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream with you.
For this reason, avoid going up during the hottest hours: the sand gets scorching hot and the blazing sun is unforgiving, especially if you are travelling with small children. Instead, the best times are definitely sunrise and sunset, which provide unforgettable colours. Always wear comfortable shoes to avoid burning your feet, as the sand quickly becomes very hot in the sun.
Moreover, the Pilat dune is the most touristy place in the entire region. In summer, you will have difficulty finding quiet moments with a shortage of tourists, so we recommend that you visit early in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid the crowds. Do not hesitate to get away from the tourist flow. The dune is vast, 3 kilometres long and 600 metres wide. If you walk a little further than other visitors, you can find some peace and quiet.
The best way to visit the Pilat dune is still to avoid the peak of the high season. In July and August, the site is literally overrun. Spring and autumn are definitely more livable.
To visit the dune without rushing, budget half a day. This way, you can make the ascent at leisure, take your time to walk around, admire the view and have a picnic. Too fast a visit would force you to stay close to the access and you would lose the charm of the place.
Paragliding is a different and adrenaline-pumping way to discover the Dune du Pilat from above. It is definitely the dream place for a first flight if you have never had the opportunity to try this sport.
Accessible to everyone, alone or in pairs, accompanied by a professional, paragliding is certainly one of the most beautiful ways to admire the Pilat dune.
The Dune du Pilat is less than 1 hour from Bordeaux airport. After hiring a car, you will need to head for Arcachon, which is only about fifteen minutes away from the dune. A pay car park has been set up on site to accommodate vehicles. The first 30 minutes of parking are free, the rest must be paid for by credit card.
Several bus lines serve the Pilat dune. From Arcachon station, line 1 of the Baïa network will take you to the foot of the dune in 25 minutes. In summer only, you can also take line 6 from Teich and get to the Pilat dune in about 40 minutes.
If you are staying south of the dune, near Biscarrosse, it is also possible to take the XL’R 46 bus to reach the Pilat dune in an hour. This line only operates in July and August.
Renowned for its rich network of cycle paths, the Arcachon basin region, up to the Pilat dune, is easily accessible by bicycle. In summer, this is a good alternative to avoid queues at the car park.
You will find perfectly equipped cycle paths, easy bike hire, no risk of traffic jams in high season, free parking. From Arcachon, calculate about 30 minutes to access the dune.
Located in the heart of a very touristy region, there is no shortage of places to sleep near the Dune du Pilat. The town of Arcachon is a great place to find accommodation, thanks to its central location around the dune but especially for its dynamism.
Also very popular, but more expensive, is the prestigious Cap Ferret, a favourite holiday spot for residents of Bordeaux. In general, all the resorts around the Arcachon basin will give you quick access to the Pilat dune.
Another option, to be a little quieter and above all to benefit from better rates, is to stay south of the dune, in the Landes department, in the towns of Biscarrosse or Mimizan for example. In summer, book lago in advance because the region is extremely popular.
Only an hour away, the city of Bordeaux is also a perfect base for exploring the region and visiting the dune on a day trip.
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