Arcachon
Arcachon is a bay-side resort in southwest France, known for oysters, the Dune du Pilat and beaches on the Cap Ferret peninsula across the water.
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Arcachon is a seaside town on the Bassin d'Arcachon, a large tidal bay on France's Atlantic coast in the Gironde department. Trains from Bordeaux take about an hour. The town became a seaside resort in the 19th century, and its villas and pine-lined streets remain. Oysters are the main reason to come. They are farmed on the bay's tidal flats, sold at markets, and eaten at the small wooden huts called cabanes along the shore.
The Dune du Pilat, one of the tallest sand dunes in Europe, lies a short drive south along the coast. Across the bay, the Cap Ferret peninsula has beaches, and the pine forests inland have walking and cycling routes. Plan two to three days for the main sights. Spring and early autumn are quieter than summer, when the town and beaches fill up.
Arcachon in five
- Take the train from BordeauxA regional train runs from Bordeaux Saint-Jean in about an hour, and several run each day. It is the simplest way to visit without a car.Bordeaux
- Check the Dune du Pilat access rulesThe dune is the main sight and you climb on foot. Parking, steps and any seasonal access charge are set by the site manager, so check the official page before you drive.
- Eat oysters at a tasting hutOyster farmers sell and serve on the water at Gujan-Mestras, La Teste and around Cap Ferret. Go at lunchtime, and expect simple plates with bread, butter and lemon.
- Take the seasonal boat to Cap FerretIn summer, boats cross the bay between Arcachon and Cap Ferret. Check the timetable and tide times, since service depends on both.
- Skip August SaturdaysThe beaches, parking and market streets are packed on summer weekends. Visit in June or September, or go on a weekday.Atlantic Coast
Need to know
- Airport
- Bordeaux Mérignac (BOD), about 1 hr by train and bus
- Getting there
- Regional train from Bordeaux in about 1 hr; TGV to Bordeaux first
- Getting around
- Walking, bikes and buses; boats across the bay
- Best base
- Near the beach and station in Arcachon town
- Time needed
- 1 day from Bordeaux; 2 to 3 for dune, oysters and bike rides
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Mild, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Spring startsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Oysters, quietAprilRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Oysters, quiet
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, greenMayRain
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm seaJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear9 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Beach crowdsJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach crowds
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Peak, parking fullAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, parking full
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm sea, calmSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calm
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Oysters, quietOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Oysters, quiet
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Rain, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, quiet
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh12°Low8°Oyster seasonDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Oyster season
Average daily high and low in Arcachon, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Arcachon
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 58%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Arcachon
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°7°0%Monday: Clear. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°7°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed11°3°0%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu14°4°5%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri16°5°5%Friday: Clear. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat14°7°5%Saturday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun20°12°57%Sunday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 57%.
Updated 07:08 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Dune du Pilatabout 25–30 min by car or busA giant sand dune over the sea, climbed on foot.
- Cap Ferretabout 30 min by boat in seasonOyster villages and a lighthouse on the peninsula.
- Bordeauxabout 1 hour by trainA wine city and rail hub back inland.Read the guide
Before you go to Arcachon
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Rules for Arcachon, checked
- Travelers from outside the EU may need a Schengen visa for France. Check your eligibility on France-Diplomatie before you book.Source
- Dial 112 from any phone in the EU for police, fire or an ambulance. Dial 15 for a medical emergency.
- Service is included in French restaurant bills by law. Leaving a few euros is customary, but it is not required.
- Follow the posted signs on the dunes and beaches before you light a fire or drive on the sand.
Plan around Arcachon
The country overview and basics
Read the guideAtlantic CoastLa Rochelle, Île de Ré and the beaches
Read the guideBordeauxWine city and TGV hub, an hour away
Read the guideSaint-ÉmilionWalled wine village near Bordeaux
Read the guideEurail or point-to-point?Whether a pass saves money in France
Read the guideArcachon FAQ
Is Arcachon worth visiting?
Yes for the oysters, the dune and the bay beaches. It works as a day trip from Bordeaux or as a few relaxed nights. It is quieter in June and September.
How do you get from Bordeaux to Arcachon?
By regional train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean in about an hour, or by car in about 55 minutes in light traffic. Trains run through the day, but they are busy on summer weekends.
How much time do you need at the Dune du Pilat?
Allow 1 to 2 hours for parking, climbing and a short walk on top. Add time if you want a sunset or a swim at the foot of the dune. Check access rules before you go.
Can you visit Arcachon without a car?
Yes. The town, beaches and station are walkable, and boats and buses reach Cap Ferret and the oyster villages. A car helps for the dune and quieter coves.
When is oyster season in Arcachon?
Oysters are sold year-round, and many people prefer autumn to spring. Summer is busy and restaurants fill. Check which huts are open, since small ones close in winter.