CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 💥
Towering over the Atlantic coast, the Dune du Pilat is one of the most impressive natural wonders in France. Located in the Gironde, at the mouth of the Arcachon Bay, it draws millions of visitors every year who come to admire its spectacular panorama.
We were on a road trip 🚗 in southwestern France to discover the wonders of the Pyrenees, the Basque Country and the Arcachon Bay. For us, it was an absolute must-see.
Between the endless ocean 🌊, the lush forest 🌲 and golden sandbanks 🏖️, the Dune du Pilat offers an unforgettable experience. But what does it really feel like to climb this huge mountain of sand? I’m sharing my experience and my tips for making the most of the climb and the discovery.
DISCOVERING THE DUNE DU PILAT 🌟
ARRIVING AT THIS UNIQUE PLACE
You’ll pass through the Landes forest 🌲 with its many trees, even though you can see the damage from the summer 2022 wildfires 🔥, which changed the landscape; you have to get used to it. The parking lot, right next to the Dune du Pilat, is fairly large but fills up fast (paid). Don’t try to park elsewhere, or you’ll get a fine very quickly. In the forest, you can’t see the impressive dune yet, and even from the road it’s hard to spot.
THE VIEW OF THIS HUGE DUNE
As you get closer, you’ll feel that you’re getting nearer to your goal, surrounded by sand that’s more or less hot depending on the season. Visiting the site is of course free. You’ll find yourself in front of the dune, and then you have two options: the stairs or the sand. If you don’t want to end up drenched in sweat, the stairs are the ideal solution 😉.
THE 360-DEGREE VIEW
At 110 meters high, the Dune du Pilat towers over the Landes forest and plunges into the Atlantic Ocean 🌊. You’ll see this grand landscape, with the Landes forest on one side 🌲 and the Atlantic Ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. The Banc d’Arguin sits on the water like a jewel, and the forest seems to stretch out forever (even though the damage from the 2022 fires is still visible…). A 360° panorama that quickly makes you forget the effort it took to reach the top.
This is where you can wander, walk, head down toward the sea and set off toward infinity, with no limits. We were able to fly the drone, as you can see in the footage; it’s magnificent. For the way down, it’s much more fun through the sand, with just one goal: don’t fall, and be the fastest to the bottom.
HOW TO EXPLORE SOUTHWESTERN FRANCE ⏳
There are different ways to explore the southwest, depending on how long you’re staying in this corner of France. Personally, I highly recommend taking your own vehicle or renting one, even a van, to discover the southwest at your own pace without depending on public transportation 🚐.
With a car, you’ll be free to go wherever you like and create your own itinerary. You’ll be able to stop at stunning places. A car is essential for exploring the southwest 🚗.
EXPLORE THE SOUTHWEST ON A TOUR 
▶️ It all depends on what you want to do and your budget, because the southwest offers loads of tours (they’re not the most expensive places in France, so make the most of it). Visit natural sites like the Gorges de Kakuetta or the Cirque de Gavarnie! You’ll find lots of tours that let you discover these wonders.
Depending on the season, it’s best to book your activities in advance if you really want to do certain tours. If you like to plan ahead (like me), you can easily book online. You’ll find lots of tour options on platforms like GetYourGuide.
THINGS TO KNOW 🥰
GETTING THERE AND PARKING
It gets very crowded, and of course, as at every tourist spot, parking is paid 💸. The price depends on how long you stay. For the discovery package, expect €7 (for 4 hours on site). You can find the prices here
WHEN TO VISIT THE DUNE DU PILAT
As is often the case, sunrise or sunset is ideal for avoiding the crowds and enjoying a magnificent view with far fewer people. As for us, we had no choice but to be in the crowd 😅.
WHAT GEAR TO BRING
It’s like going to the beach, and it can get very hot fast ☀️. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. You can even go barefoot 🦶 to be more comfortable in the sand. If you choose sneakers like me, get ready to find sand all over your shoes 😜.
MORE INFO
The Dune du Pilat is a protected natural site. It’s therefore strongly recommended, and important, to follow the rules in place to preserve this unique ecosystem.
OUR TAKE ON THE DUNE DU PILAT
We don’t realize how lucky we are to be in France 🇫🇷 and to have landscapes like this. That feeling of freedom once you reach the top, facing the vastness of the ocean 🌊 and, on the other side, that forest where you feel tiny in such majestic nature.
The effort of the climb is more than rewarded by the beauty of the scenery, and it’s still easy and accessible to everyone 🚶♂️. Nothing to worry about. It’s definitely a place to discover, even more so when there’s no one around. The experience must be really different, and surely much more pleasant. Right next door, there’s also the town of Arcachon to visit, which can make a good stop before ending up in Bordeaux 🍷. We recommend this place 1000% 🔥!
What about you? What do you think of the Dune du Pilat?
WHERE TO STAY IN THE SOUTHWEST? 💤
You’ll find lots of places to stay in the southwest with great value for money 💶. The key to getting the best accommodation in the southwest is to book ahead so you have the most choice at incredible prices 😏.
MY MUST-HAVE TRAVEL GEAR 🧳
The question comes up all the time when getting ready for a trip: “What should I bring?” That’s why you’ll find below some must-have travel accessories for a stress-free vacation (with your documents kept safe) 🛡️ . Planning ahead and getting these items before you leave helps you save money and avoid buying some of them on the spot, where they’ll cost you a lot more 💸 These are the accessories we took to Iceland and that we keep using for every destination we travel to 👇.
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK
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