Discover the Arcachon Basin with Welkeys - What to do in Arcachon?

We introduced it to you a while back: Arcachon is one of the latest Welkeys destinations. Thousands of travelers from all over France come to discover the Arcachon Basin every year, and maybe this year it will be you? Or are you still undecided about your vacation destination? Here are a few activities to do in Arcachon during your vacation!

From excursions and gastronomy to must-see spots, the Arcachon Basin will hold no more secrets for you. Our local City Manager, Matthieu, has shared his favorite addresses and regional must-dos to ensure you have an unforgettable stay.

Luxurious 3-bedroom apartment with terrace and pool in La Teste-de-Buch

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From this luxurious 3-bedroom apartment with a terrace and pool in La Teste-de-Buch, you will be located in the heart of the Arcachon Basin and just minutes away from all the activities we are about to suggest. Perfectly situated between Arcachon and Gujan-Mestras, this large, bright, and modern apartment can accommodate your whole family or group of friends with its 6 beds spread across 3 bedrooms. Plus, with 2 bathrooms, there will be no traffic jams when it's time to shower after the beach. The terrace is perfect for enjoying convivial moments over delicious summer meals.

Speaking of the beach, you will be just minutes away from the magnificent beaches of Arcachon, where you can enjoy all the water activities offered by the various seasonal operators on the coast. Jet skiing, paddleboarding, water skiing... the possibilities are endless, but we have our favorites when it comes to water activities by boat in Arcachon. We recommend boat trips, which allow you to discover the entire basin from a new perspective and pass through the typical oyster-farming villages. The choice of boat is yours! Whether it's a sailboat, catamaran, or a small motorboat, you can choose whatever you dream of. Matthieu, our local partner, suggests trying a trip on a Pinasse, the traditional boats of the Arcachon Basin originally designed for fishermen and oyster farmers.

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Lovely apartment near the beach in Gujan-Mestras

Let's change the scenery and location a bit with this lovely apartment near the beach in Gujan-Mestras. Perfect for a stay for 2 or 4, this accommodation has everything you need for a pleasant trip. You will be just 5 minutes from the port and the beaches. The extra perk of this apartment is its parking space. If you decide to drive, you won't have to deal with the headache of finding a place to park after your long journey.

This other town in the Arcachon Basin offers just as many activities as Arcachon and holds just as many treasures to discover. Gujan-Mestras is the perfect place to explore the oyster-farming villages and ports that are symbols of the region. You will be just a 3-minute drive from the Port de la Hume, which combines oyster farming and a marina, and 5 minutes from the Port de la Barbotière. Take advantage of your location to discover this culture and its ancestral traditions directly from the fishermen and oyster farmers themselves! If you want to deepen the experience and dedicate a day entirely to fishing, Matthieu recommends eating at the restaurant Les Terrasses du Port in Arcachon. In addition to an incredible view of the port and the ocean, you can enjoy excellent fresh seafood dishes there.

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Beautiful 1-bedroom apartment with terrace located one minute's walk from the beach in Arcachon

Back to Arcachon with this beautiful 1-bedroom apartment with a terrace, located a one-minute walk from the beach. As a bonus, this apartment is equipped with air conditioning, which will be a relief during a heatwave. You can stay here with 4 people thanks to its double bed and a comfortable sofa bed. The terrace, which almost overlooks the rooftops of Arcachon, offers a refreshing change of scenery. Very bright and tastefully decorated, you won't want to leave. The nights are also pleasant thanks to the hotel-quality linens provided by Welkeys.

From this accommodation, you will also be a stone's throw from the Jetée Thiers, the departure point for shuttles to Cap Ferret. Aboard one of these shuttles, you can catch a glimpse of the legendary stilt cabins of the Île aux Oiseaux. These cabins on stilts in the middle of the water are truly worth a visit. They were originally designed to allow oyster farmers to monitor their oyster beds. Depending on the tides, you can approach them on foot or by kayak. Once you arrive at Cap Ferret, Matthieu recommends heading to the Sail Fish Cap Ferret, a restaurant that welcomes you in a unique atmosphere for partying and enjoying delicious dishes from around the world.

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Modern studio with terrace in Arcachon

Another place to stay, this modern studio with a terrace in Arcachon is perfect for a couple coming for a getaway. You will be in the heart of a quiet residential area, an ideal setting to reconnect and leave the stress of daily life behind. Also located in the center of Arcachon, you will be perfectly placed to enjoy all the key activities in Arcachon as a couple. However, for this last destination, we suggest a must-do activity in the Arcachon Basin and its surroundings: The Dune of Pilat.

How can we talk about Arcachon without mentioning the Dune of Pilat? Just a fifteen-minute drive away, you can discover the highest dune in Europe and take one of its many hiking trails. But perhaps you have already explored it? Then we recommend a detour to the Banc d'Arguin. This sandbank a few meters from the Dune, right in the middle of the water, is a nature reserve of the Basin. Guides are there to welcome you and help you discover the species that live there and its unique features. Heading back to Arcachon after a long hike? You're surely hungry! La Corniche du Pyla welcomes you facing the ocean in a privileged setting to enjoy some seafood.

So, still not sure what to do during your stay in Arcachon? Here are a few more of our recommendations for your next vacation in the Arcachon Basin. Welkeys supports you throughout your stay and even before, during your booking.