# Dune du Pilat, Bordeaux > The Dune du Pilat is Europe's tallest sand dune, a mountain of sand about 107 metres high on the Atlantic coast 60 kilometres from Bordeaux, at the mouth of Arcachon Bay. Its crest runs for almost three kilometres: endless Landes pine forest on one side, the ocean, sandbanks and the Cap Ferret peninsula on the other. You climb by a staircase or straight up the sand, and can run down to the beach. Paragliders soar here in summer. Free; allow 1.5–2 hours. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/bordeaux/dune-du-pilat - City: [Bordeaux](https://yesgo.io/france/bordeaux), France - YesGo score: 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 2 h - Opening hours: Always open; stairs in season - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free; parking charged - Height: ≈ 107 m (2018) - Length: ≈ 2.7 km - Stairs: Installed in season - Duration: ≈ 1.5–2 hours - Location: Pyla-sur-Mer, Arcachon Bay - Coordinates: 44.59000, -1.21167 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **106.6 m** — height of the dune in 2018 (source: English Wikipedia) - **2.7 km** — length north to south (source: English Wikipedia) - **60 million m³** — volume of sand (source: English Wikipedia) - **5 m** — a year the dune moves inland (source: English Wikipedia) ## 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. > **Safety** Swimming at the foot of the dune is dangerous: there are strong **currents** and no lifeguards. In summer the sand gets scorching and there's no shade, so bring water, a hat and sunscreen. In strong wind the sand blasts at the top, so pick another day. Don't jump off the steepest slopes: going down is easy, climbing back up is hard. ## 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. ## How to get there 1. By TER train from Bordeaux to Arcachon, about an hour, then a bus to the dune, 20–30 minutes. 2. By car from Bordeaux, about an hour; parking at the dune is charged. 3. In summer, boats run from Arcachon to the foot of the dune. 4. From the car park, a 10-minute walk through the woods. ## 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](https://yesgo.io/france/bordeaux/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. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Bring water and a hat - [ ] Check the wind and weather - [ ] Climb the staircase - [ ] Walk along the crest - [ ] Stay for sunset ## Places in Bordeaux: compare and choose Places in Bordeaux rated by YesGo. - [Cap Ferret](https://yesgo.io/france/bordeaux/cap-ferret) — YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free - [Dune du Pilat](https://yesgo.io/france/bordeaux/dune-du-pilat) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free ## Don't mix it up The Dune du Pilat is the giant dune at Arcachon Bay; Cap Ferret is the peninsula across the bay's mouth. ## Tips - Morning or sunset. - Bring water and a hat. - No swimming: currents. - Check the wind. ## Questions ### How do I get to the Dune du Pilat from Bordeaux? By train to Arcachon and a bus, or about an hour by car. ### How tall is the Dune du Pilat? About 107 metres, the tallest dune in Europe. ### Is the Dune du Pilat free? Entry is free; parking is charged. ### Can you swim at the dune? It's dangerous: strong currents and no lifeguards. ### How long do I need at the dune? An hour and a half to two hours, half a day with the beach. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Parking prices, the staircase season and bus times weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Dune of Pilat and Arcachon - Dune website, ladunedupilat.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.