Dune of Pilat / Arcachon Bay, Bordeaux, France

The Dune of Pilat (Dune du Pilat) is the highest sand dune in Europe. It is a natural landmark on the Atlantic coast of France and one of the most visited natural sites in the country, with about two million visitors a year. The dune is famous for its size, soft golden sand, and wide views over the ocean, forest, and bay. The dune is not fixed in one place. Wind and weather slowly move it inland every year, which makes it a living and changing landscape.

Location

The Dune of Pilat is located in south-western France, in the Gironde department, near the town of La Teste-de-Buch. It lies on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, between the Bay of Arcachon and a large pine forest known as the Landes forest. The dune is about 60 km southwest of Bordeaux, the nearest large city. The site belongs to the Conservatoire du Littoral and is a Grand Site de France.

Size and natural features

The height of the dune changes from year to year, but it is usually a little over 100 m. It is about 2.9 km long and up to about 600 m wide, and it moves inland by one to five metres a year, slowly burying the pine trees behind it. From the top, visitors can see three very different landscapes at the same time:

• the Atlantic Ocean and sandy beaches,
• the Bay of Arcachon with its water and sandbanks,
• the green pine forest behind the dune.

This contrast is one of the main reasons why the site is so popular. Part of the forest south of the dune burned in the large wildfire of July 2022 and is slowly growing back.

How to get there

By car

From Bordeaux, the drive takes about 1 hour. Follow the signs toward Arcachon or La Teste-de-Buch and then to the official car park at the reception area, a short walk through the forest from the foot of the dune.

By train

Trains run from Bordeaux to Arcachon or La Teste-de-Buch. From the station, visitors can use a local bus, taxi, or bicycle to reach the dune.

By bus

During the tourist season, buses connect nearby towns and beaches with the dune area. Travel times depend on traffic and season.

Entrance and prices

Access to the Dune of Pilat is free and open all year round. There is no entrance ticket to climb or visit the dune. However, visitors should note:

• The official car park costs €7 for 4 hours, €9 for 8 hours and €11 for 12 hours in high season (€5, €7 and €9 in low season); the first 30 minutes are free and parking overnight is not allowed.
• From spring to autumn a removable staircase helps you up the steep side; the rest of the year you climb in the sand.
• Some optional activities (guided walks, paragliding, or boat trips nearby) have separate prices.
• Fires, camping, sand-boarding and taking sand or plants are forbidden on the dune.