Arcachon Bay Cap Ferret in 3 days - Activities, itineraries and visits

Finally a long weekend to enjoy nature, the sun and the oysters of the Arcachon bay ! It is at Ares very close to Cap Ferret that we will stay 3 days in order to discover one of the most beautiful regions of France (nature side). Of course it will be impossible for us to see all of the Arcachon bay in only 3 days… This is why I preferred to concentrate my program of activities and visits only on the part North of the Arcachon Basin going up to the tip of Cap Ferret. Here is the organization of my stay and the program of our long weekend of discovery of the Arcachon Basin in 3 days (itineraries, visits, hikes, restaurants, accommodation).

How to visit the North of the Arcachon Basin in 3 days?

The location of the hotel or campsite is essential so as not to waste time on the roads… Indeed, even out of season, I knew that driving on certain axes is complicated because of traffic jams. So the priority is to choose accommodation that is fairly central to the tour schedule.

It is in Arès that I chose to stay for its location on the Arcachon bay, very close to Cap Ferret and many protected natural sites, for his salt meadows nature reserve, for his oyster port and famous huts where we taste the best oysters in the basin.

My discovery program in 3 days

• Arès Beach
• Salt meadows nature reserve
• Piraillan reservoirs
• Oyster port of Ares
• Cabin 44
• Cap Ferret Lighthouse
• Point of Cap Ferret
• Cap Ferret dunes primer trail
• Ornitological Reserve of Teich
• Leyre Delta

North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Day 1

North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Route map - Day 1

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North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Day 1 Program

Arès Beach

What a good time to discover in the morning the Arès beach ! At low tide, the beach mingles with mosaics of sparkling mirrors punctuated with silhouettes of white boats… We stay there for a good hour doing nothing, contemplating. The show is simply magnificent! Faced with this dream setting, we decide to make our first drone flight, here are some photos.

Salt meadows nature reserve

From the end of the beach, leaves the path towards the oyster port of Arès. From there, another footpath leads to the National nature reserve of the salt meadows of Arès and Lège-Cap-Ferret. Created in 1983, it occupies an area of ​​almost 500 hectares, of which 200 hectares are almost salted. It is made up of mudflats, salt meadows, dune hemlines and a beautiful wooded area.

Piraillan reservoirs

It is in the afternoon that we decide to take the car to go to Piraillan reservoirs. This nature reserve is located north of the village of Piraillan. This 39 hectare site, including 6 hectares of reservoirs, delimits four islets. From the top of the dune, you can sometimes see the Bird Island. We had a wonderful walk which took us about 2 hours.

Oyster port of Ares - Cabin 44

Back in Arès, head for the oyster port. Oysters being the specialty of Arcachon bay, it is at the Cabin 44 that we will taste them tonight. Oysters, whelks, tapas and white wine can be enjoyed on the terrace of a typical cabin in a relaxed atmosphere. A real moment of happiness!

North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Day 2

North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Day 2 itinerary map

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North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Day 2 Program

Dunes of Cap Ferret - Abécédaire trail

We take the road very early (8:00 am) to be able to start our hike in peace, without anyone and to be able to fly the drone. We arrive at Lège-Cap Ferret on the Allée des Dunes and leave for 5 km by housing the dunes until the Point of Cap Ferret. Superb!

Point of Cap Ferret

It is an incredibly beautiful place. We were there in the early hours of the morning before reaching this beautiful place again via the Abécédaire trail. The colors at sunrise are amazing with magical mirror effects!

Then at the end of the morning, the luminosity is perfect to observe theOcean on one side and the Arcachon bay the other.

Cap Ferret Lighthouse

What a “bad surprise”… I thought I would find a lighthouse in the middle of nature, but when I got there, disappointment: it is a lighthouse that is surrounded by streets. So his surroundings really didn't appeal to me. Otherwise, it is a beautiful lighthouse point barre. Finally, I found it much more beautiful seen from above, thank you the drone !!!

North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Day 3

North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Itinerary Day 3

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North Arcachon Basin Circuit - Day 3 Program

Ornitological Reserve of Teich

This reserve is a must-see in the Arcachon Bay. We went there when it opened at 10am because it's the best time for bird watching. The little extras of the reserve: a trail that forms a 6 km loop and its huts and viewpoints in height dedicated to bird watching.

Leyre Delta Nature Reserve

Right next to the Teich Ornitological Reserve is another natural site that we discovered during a hike of about 2 hours (9 km loop). The landscapes are more or less the same as on the Reserve but the site is much less frequented and just as interesting for bird watching.

If I had had 1 more day… Bird Island and Cabanes tchanquées

If I had had the chance to have an extra day, I would have added a visit to theBird Island and the famous cabins tchanquées. From the Cap-Ferret pier, a 2-hour boat trip allows you to observe the oyster beds, theBird Island and the two wooden cabins on stilts typical of the Arcachon Basin. They have become the emblem of the Basin. But maybe next time ...

North Bassin d'Arcachon - Recommended hotel

Here is a guest house that I recommend for a short stay in Arès. With a beautiful terrace and a pretty swimming pool, the Villa Elisaïa offers fully equipped studios. A breakfast consisting of fresh products is served every morning at the Villa (placed in a basket on your doorstep). This beautiful villa is a real haven of peace very well placed in Arès and therefore ideal for exploring the North of the Arcachon Basin and Cap Ferret. See this accommodation on Booking

North Arcachon Basin - Recommended campsite

Here is my favorite campsite in Arès: Camping Pasteur. For small budgets, this is really the right plan because its location is ideal (400 m from the beach and the center of Arès). The tourists are very well received there in a family and benevolent atmosphere. What did I like about this campsite? Its calm, its swimming pool, the kindness of the staff… but above all its price: only 55 Euros per night in a 2-3 person bungalow! See the campsite website or Booking if it's full ...

North Arcachon Basin - Airbnb recommended

 Also in Arès, here is the Airbnb rental T1 which is simply perfect for a pleasant stay in the Bassin d'Arcachon. Very close to the center of Arès, the oyster port and the Bassin beaches, it has private parking. See this apartment on Airbnb

North Arcachon Basin Circuit - My tips

For the budget who want to treat themselves to a good restaurant at an unbeatable price, I recommend the restaurant l'Olivier (30 rue du 14 Juillet in Arès). We tested the formula at 2 Euros twice, including 18 full dish + portion of house fries + 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee. The dishes are simple, delicious, very generous and the welcome is very friendly!

For those who want buy oysters, I recommend choosing them directly from Gaec Duvignacq Frères “Huîtres des Gourmets” (34 rue du 14 Juillet in Arès): direct sale from the producer. We tasted the 4-season oysters (€ 6 per dozen) and came back before heading back to Toulouse to bring some back to the whole family…

Any idea for a visit to add to this program?

here's how visit Bordeaux in 1 day

or spend a weekend on the Bordeaux wine route

Or a small circuit in the Landes

Camping in the Landes

Another idea for a circuit in France?

4-day road trip in Brittany

Weekend in the Basque Country