How to visit the Dune du Pilat in 1 day? The Dune of Pilat is 117 meters in height, 500 meters in width, and 2.7 km in length. It’s impressive! Moreover, the Dune du Pilat is the largest desert in metropolitan France. The view from the Dune is just splendid! ? So, what is the best day and time for visiting the Dune du Pilat? How to prepare for your visit, from the shoes to opt for up to the picnic? What to see, what to do and where to stay near the Dune du Pilat?
- Best day to visit the Dunes du Pilat ?
- Up and down the Dune du Pilat: stairs, shoes, etc. ?
- Where to stay to see the Dune du Pilat ?
- Where to park at the Dune du Pilat? ?
- What to visit around? ?
- Where to picnic, eat, and swim near the Dune du Pilat? ?
- How to get to the Dune du Pilat from Bordeaux, Arcachon, and Paris? ?
1. Best day to visit the Dune du Pilat
Best time of the year to visit the Dune du Pilat. The months when there are the most visitors are July and August; therefore, there are better times to visit the Dune du Pilat. In addition, the weather can be sweltering during these two months. Remember to take water with you to climb the Dune du Pilat. On the other hand, the months of May, June, and September are perfect for a pleasant visit with relatively mild temperatures.
What is the best day to visit Dune du Pilat? On weekends there are bound to be more visitors. During the week, it is quieter.
What is the best time to visit Dune du Pilat? In the morning or for sunset. Check the weather just before leaving to avoid unpleasant surprises.
1. Up and down the Dune du Pilat: price, shoes, time
Free! Admission to the site is free. On the other hand, there are two car parks on site: one chargeable and one free (see below in the section about where to park at the Dune du Pilat). The chargeable one is more convenient, as it is closer to the beach.
How long does it take to climb the Dune du Pilat? It is relatively easy to mount the Dune du Pilat because there is a staircase of 160 steps on site. You can then descend through the sand. The bravest and most athletic climbs without the stairs by walking in the sand, which is much longer. Anyway, we recommend taking water with you to avoid dehydration while visiting the Dune du Pilat, especially if you climb in the middle of a summer day.
What shoes to climb the Dune du Pilat? You can climb the Dune du Pilat with sneakers-style shoes. Once there, you can also walk barefoot: it’s delightful!
Guided tour from Bordeaux. Taste fresh oysters accompanied by a glass of local wine while discovering the magnificent panoramas of the Dune du Pilat in complete tranquility: it is possible thanks to this guided tour in small groups.
3. Hotels where to stay to visit the Dune du Pilat
Where to stay to visit the Dune du Pilat? Which hotels to choose? How to spend an unforgettable night near the Dune du Pilat? It is possible to stay in Pyla-sur-Mer and Arcachon, which is located 9km from the Dune du Pilat.
Ideal for an exceptional romantic getaway: Hotel La Co(o)rniche. Located by the sea, a few minutes from the Dune du Pilat, this 5-star hotel offers elegant double rooms with balconies and views of Arcachon Bay. It is a perfect place to stay to visit the Dune du Pilat and Arcachon Bay.
A 250m2 holiday home with 4 bedrooms: La Cabane du Bois. Located in Arcachon city and, therefore, only a few kilometers from the Dune du Pilat, this spacious house is perfect for family holidays in Arcachon Bay.
For a family stay in Pyla-sur-Mer, this pretty two-bedroom apartment has a view. Just 20 meters from the beach, the apartments at Villa Pyla are all well-equipped for a pleasant family stay. In addition, a bike rental service is available on-site.
4. Where to park at the Dune du Pilat?
Where to park at the Dune du Pilat? Access to the Dune du Pilat is free, but there is a parking charge. Nearly 950 parking lots are available. However, if you want to visit the Dune du Pilat in summer, plan more time, as there could be traffic jams.
What is the price of parking at the Dune du Pilat? The first 30 minutes of parking are free, but more time is needed to visit the Dune du Pilat. To give you an idea, you will need about 6 euros for 4 hours of parking in the middle of the summer season, and half as much in winter.
Where to park for free near Dune du Pilat? It is possible to park for free near the Dune du Pilat, but it is not the most convenient way to visit. Moreover, in summer, there are very few places available. To find the free car park, when you are at the Dune du Pilat roundabout, take the direction of Arcachon, then turn left at the next roundabout.
5. What to visit around the Dune du Pilat?
What to do around the Dune du Pilat? Several places are interesting to discover if you are on vacation or weekend in Arcachon Bay. Here are some examples:
- Arcachon (read the blog post: TOP 15 must-sees in Arcachon)
- Port of Biganos tiles
- Cap-Ferret (find out more in: Visit Cap-Ferret)
- Bird Island
- Andernos les Bains
- Bank of Arguin
- Bordeaux (read the blog post: Itinerary of walks to visit Bordeaux)
6. Where to picnic, where to eat and where to swim near the Dune du Pilat?
Picnic. If you want to visit the Dune du Pilat, you can picnic directly on the Dune! On the other hand, as the climb is quite physical, be careful not to overheat. Also, plan to park as close to the Dune as possible.
2-star restaurant. You can take advantage of the visit to the Dune du Pilat to taste delicious dishes in the restaurant Le Skiff Club (1 Av. Louis Gaume, 33115 La Teste-de-Buch), a few minutes from the dune.
Beaches. While visiting the Dune du Pilat, why not take the opportunity to swim? A few kilometers from the Dune du Pilat, you have beaches such as Petit Nice or La Salie.
7. How to get to the Dune du Pilat from Bordeaux, Arcachon, or Paris?
The Dune du Pilat is one of the essential places to visit in France! So, how can you go to the Dune du Pilat from Bordeaux, Arcachon, or Paris?
7.1 From Bordeaux
To visit the Dune du Pilat from Bordeaux, you can take the car: about 65 kilometers and less than a 1h15 drive. It is an ideal destination for a weekend near Bordeaux. Find out more about Bordeaux in: Visit Bordeaux.
7.2 From Arcachon
Arcachon is less than 10 kilometers from the Dune du Pilat. Arcachon is a perfect place to stay to visit the Dune du Pilat.
7.3 Reach the Dune du Pilat from Cap-Ferret by boat
You can visit the Dune du Pilat from Cap-Ferret by boat! Indeed, there are maritime shuttles that make the connection between the Dune du Pilat and Cap-Ferret. The boat trip is 40 minutes. More information: Dune du Pilat – Cap-Ferret by boat.
7.4 Visit the Dune du Pilat from Paris
The easiest way to reach the Dune du Pilat from Paris is to fly to Bordeaux and rent a car to visit the region or take a guided tour of the Dune du Pilat from Bordeaux.
Visiting the Dune du Pilat is one of the essential activities to do and see in France. The views from the Dune are magnificent and will leave you with incredible memories.
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