September 2, 2024, 3:46 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Endless beaches, harbors, and old towns, a veritable giant of sand – and world-famous Bordeaux wines in between. A road trip along France’s Atlantic coast in nine highlights.
The blue of the Atlantic is complemented by the yellow of the sandbanks and the green of the pine trees. The wind plays in the dune grass. The Bordeaux wines of the region epitomize the art of living well, just like the oysters from the Bay of Arcachon. Welcome to a journey through the southwest of France that is as varied and vibrant as the Tour de France itself. From the historic port city of La Rochelle to Hendaye on the border with Spain – this route is perfect for a road trip along the French Atlantic coast.
A road trip in nine stops
La Rochelle: Harbor atmosphere
The ambiance around La Rochelle’s Old Port, Vieux Port, is unparalleled. People gather on the quayside terraces. Witnesses to history frame the images of the present: the Saint-Nicolas and Chaîne towers, which have flanked the harbor entrance and monitored boat traffic since the late Middle Ages. Chaîne means chain – an iron chain was used to block the harbor. The third tower is the Tour de la Lanterne, built as a lighthouse and temporarily used as a prison.
Take a leisurely stroll through the arcades of the old town, explore the bustling market, and discover the Gabut district’s vibrant street art.
Aix Island: immortal memories
A waterway instead of asphalt: a ferry sails from Fouras to the islet of Aix, but only locals are allowed to cross over in motorized vehicles. At the jetty, the only island village is hidden behind fortress walls. The meadows run towards two lighthouses. Houses have shutters in rust red, blue, and turquoise. A world of its own. Whether by rented bikes or the power of your own two legs, journey around the island, through lush forest belts and to secluded beaches.
In July 1815, Napoleon waited in Aix for his ship to be exiled to Saint Helena and spent his last nights on French soil there. The man who was defeated at Waterloo was accommodated in the Governor’s Palace, now the Napoleon Museum. Only patriotic French people will likely understand that the gable reads “in memory of our immortal emperor.”
Lacanau: perfect for active people
Salt or fresh water, sea or lake beach, forest paths or promenades? Nestled between the Gironde estuary and the Bay of Arcachon, the town of Lacanau is a treasure trove of natural beauty and activities. There is a wealth of sports and leisure activities on offer here. This includes surfing, kitesurfing, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, cycling, sunbathing, swimming, and beach walks. Those who plunge into the Atlantic must be careful here and elsewhere. Depths and currents are unpredictable. In addition, the tidal range is several meters.
Bordeaux: the cradle of pleasure
Though Bordeaux lies inland, its role as the gateway to the Atlantic coast and its status as the cosmopolitan capital of New Aquitaine make it an unmissable stop on our French road trip. Situated on the bends of the Garonne, the former Burdigala of the Romans has turned a corner since the turn of the millennium – from a gloomy metropolis to a shining light among France’s cities. Where warehouses once cluttered the riverbanks, a significant clean-up has taken place. Proud promenades were created.
The city’s transformation featured the Cité du Vin, an avant-garde wine museum offering themed trails that delve into the storied past of the world-renowned Bordeaux wines. A tasting is, of course, included in the entrance fee.
Bordeaux scores with monuments such as the cathedral and Saint-Michel basilica, markets and restaurants, a theater, and the alternative cultural center, Darwin.
Le Teich: a visit to the bird park
You’d be wrong if you think it’s a zoo or some other artificial area. The Le Teich bird park is a nature reserve full of wetlands to the east of Arcachon Bay. Visitors have access to shelters and six kilometers of paths to observe birds in the wild. 323 species have been documented, including cormorants, white storks, coots, great crested grebes, herons, and egrets. Some of the species nest here, others stop off as migratory birds.
Arcachon: more than oysters
The town of Arcachon is one thing. Its bay of the same name on the doorstep made up of promenades, piers, and beaches is another. This Bassin d’Arcachon is a miniature sea with a narrow outlet to the Atlantic. Gourmets appreciate the products of the oyster farm. Tours on excursion boats sail past oyster parks and sandbanks. The Cap Ferret lighthouse is in the background. Back on land, the route leads to the Ville d’Hiver district with architecturally significant villas from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dune of Pilat: selfie above the sea
The towering sand dunes near Arcachon, the largest of their kind in Europe, are a must-see spectacle on any Atlantic road trip through France. The Pilat dune is over 100 meters high, 500 meters wide, and almost three kilometers long. If you want to storm the summit zones behind the parking lot, you need to be in good shape. The only way up is on foot, preferably unshod. The reward for the effort of the ascent is panoramic views that enjoy numerous social media posts online: a green sea of pine trees, the blue of the real sea, and the neighboring bay of Arcachon. The sand bears wind scars and traces of its predecessors. The air is tinged with the taste of salt and the sense of boundless horizons.
Biarritz: where the jet set came to stay
Modesty is foreign to Biarritz. “Beach of kings, queen of beaches,” as the saying goes. It was once a windswept spot on the Atlantic, home to daring fishermen and whalers. Biarritz owes its rise to seaside resort status to Empress Eugénie and Napoleon III, who built a summer palace here in the mid-19th century.
From then on, Biarritz became a playground for the high society, acquiring chic and international flair. The imperial palace has long been a top hotel, but the town also has down-to-earth aspects such as the fishing port, the surfing spots, and the lighthouse. The aquarium is a lovely family destination.
Hendaye: the journey ends wildly
The neo-Gothic castle, the Domaine d’Abbadia nature reserve above the cliffs, the marina near the border river Bidassoa, and the promenades – just before Spain, Hendaye is a beautiful end to the trip. The beach is three kilometers long, including surfing and nudist terrain. Yet it’s an undeniable fact that the beach’s middle section vanishes beneath the waves at high tide. It is at the Typically wild Atlantic coastline that our road trip through France ends.
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Travel time
From spring to fall. In the vacation month of August, however, many French people explore their country themselves.