Dune du Pilat, Bordeaux

About the Dune du Pilat

The Dune du Pilat is Europe's tallest dune. It stands at the southern mouth of Arcachon Bay at Pyla-sur-Mer, 60 kilometres south-west of Bordeaux. Its size is staggering: about 2.7 kilometres long, 500 metres wide and around 107 metres high, holding some 60 million cubic metres of sand.

The dune isn't standing still: the ocean wind drives the sand inland by about 5 metres a year, so it slowly advances on the pine forest. The name only appeared in the 1930s, from the Gascon word 'pilhar', 'heap, mound'; before that the place was called 'the New Sands'.

What to see

• The crest — a walk along the ocean for almost 3 km.
• The ocean view — sandbanks, the Banc d'Arguin and Cap Ferret.
• The forest view — Landes pines to the horizon.
• The beach below — a run down the sand to the water.
• Paragliders — flights over the dune in good weather.
• Sunset — the sun sinking straight into the Atlantic.

The climb and the view

From the car park a path leads through the woods, then the sand begins. In season a staircase of around 150 steps goes up; without it you climb straight up the slope, which is tiring, as the sand slides away underfoot.

At the top is one of France's most striking panoramas: to the west the Atlantic Ocean with turquoise shallows and the Banc d'Arguin sandbank, to the north the mouth of Arcachon Bay and the Cap Ferret peninsula, and to the east the dark green sea of Landes pine forest.

The dune and Arcachon Bay

The dune is part of the landscape of Arcachon Bay, famous for its oysters, pine forests and quiet beaches. From the crest you can watch the tides reshape the sandbanks, with boats criss-crossing the bay.

Traces of ancient people have been found beneath the dune: temporary camps of salt-makers and an Iron Age urn from around 800 BC. Today it's a protected natural site and, in summer, one of the most visited places on France's Atlantic coast.

Paragliding and sunset

With its steep slope above the sea and steady wind, the dune has become one of France's best paragliding spots. In good weather dozens of colourful wings circle above it, and local clubs offer tandem flights with an instructor.

The loveliest time is sunset: the sun drops straight into the ocean, the sand turns gold and pink, and the crowds thin out by evening. Bring a torch if you stay after dark, as the path back to the car park runs through the forest.

Tips for your visit

Allow an hour and a half to two hours for the dune, half a day with the beach. Come in the morning or towards evening: midday in summer is hot and crowded, and the car park fills up.

The dune pairs well with Arcachon: oysters on the seafront in the morning, the beach at midday, and the dune climb for sunset.

Take your shoes off, as sand is easier barefoot, though it gets very hot in summer. You can't get a pushchair up the dune, so carry small children.

How to do it right

• Morning or sunset.
• Bring water and a hat.
• No swimming: currents.
• Check the wind.

Questions