dune du pilat

Don't miss this incredible, huge sand dune surrounded by water on one side and lush forest on the other. Go around sunset for a memorable moment. It is worth the steep hike up!

When my in-laws told us that we will pass by the Grande Dune du Pilat after our trip to Arcachon, it didn't really occur to me that it would be as astonishing as the one that greeted us when we arrived at the site. First of all (and pardon me for my ignorance), I didn't really think that there could be a sand dune in Europe and one as tall as this one in Pilat. My husband and I have been to the Red Dune in Dubai, and though Le Grande Dune du Pilat is nowhere near it in terms of size and the fine quality of the sand, it more than made up for its lack with the fantastic view of the Atlantic Ocean and Arcachon Bay from the top and the verdant forest in surrounding areas. They say that the dune is about 118m above sea level and stretches up to nearly 3kms, making it the highest sand dune in Europe.The climb up can be a little challenging but like I said, totally worth the spectacular view from the top. It was very cold the afternoon that we visited with the wind occasionally blowing in freezing gusts, making the climb all the more fun. I can only imagine how even more beautiful it can be up there during summer! There is no fee charged on visitors and there are one or two snack shops at the base of the dune if you ever feel the need to snack or hydrate before and after the climb. There are toilets and souvenir shops as well. This is definitely a great place to visit when in the region.

Stopped off here while driving down south for a friends birthday, decided we'd give climbing it a go. Really good fun and a great sense of achievement getting to the top, rewarded with beautiful views, definitely give it a go!

Visited the Dune du Pilat on a bright winter Sunday and it was thoroughly enjoyable experience. It is something unique around Europe. The Dune takes about 20-25 minutes to climb and the scenery around is awesome - surrounded by Pine Forests on one side and the ocean on the other. I imagine on a warm summer evening it would be really more beautiful. One can walk couple of kilometres around in the sand. The fun part is rolling down to the ocean and walking up again which could be tiring. running downwards on the sand was a nice experience.A must visit around the Bordeaux area.

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We were visiting a friend in Arcachon and could not miss climbing the Dune du Pilat. It is actually a busy attraction particularly for sunset. It is a pretty easy climb and there are stairs to help you if you wish.Would highly recommend to do it when you are in the region but would not consider worth a trip.

I love this spot! Whether you like nature or not, you will not be left indifferent by the dune.It is the highest in Europe and saying it's worth a trip is an understatement.The views from the top are absolutely magnificent. You can see the whole of the Bassin d'Arcachon, great views of the ocean as well as the surrounding forest. You can use stairs to climb in the summer but they remove it in the winter. So in case you visit then, be prepared for some arduous exercise. Well worth it when you get to the top though!If it's a nice day, it's the perfect spot for a picnic. :-)

Obviously one of the main site seeing spot with the tour of the basin.....then explore a wine chateau......

We were staying in Arcachon so knew a trip to the dunes would be needed. But please - ignore the images - they just don't do it justice! It is more than amazing! As we walked through the woods we were suddenly hit with an enormous wall of sand! Absolutely massive it was! We climbed up a slightly rickity and moveable stair case ( I've a bit of 'heights' thing going on! ) whilst the kids ran up the dune itself. I could not believe how high we were from the ground. The dune isn't at harsh in terms of height on the 'sea' side - easing down nicely. Well worth the walk up and the roll back down :-) The shops leading up to the dune as well sold a range of tack and more interesting crafts. We love a good tack shop so were in our element. We did manage to get a set of beautiful rustic candles though for a reasonable price. I'd definitely recommend if you're in the area - or even if you're not!

If you're ever within a couple of hrs drive of Arcachon on the West coast of France, you must take the time (and energy) to visit these dunes. They are the highest in Europe and are well worth the climb to the top of them, but be warned, they are not for the unfit, or those unsteady on their feet. There is a set of wooden steps to help you get up (I can't remember how many, but probably a couple of hundred ?) and then you can walk along the top, or down the other side to the sea.The views from the top are magnificence - miles out to sea and down the coast and miles inland, across a large Forest. There are no sand dunes in the UK (that I am aware of) that come anywhere near to the splendour of these dunes !It's very refreshing to go down to the sea after your 'climb' and cool off, but beware that in the summer months the temperature can be stifling. We've been twice now, both times in August and people were passing out in the heat. So if going in the summer, be sure to take plenty of fluids with you and sun protection.There is a good selection of 'beach-type' cafes and bars, as well as a few souvenir shops, on the way to the dunes, so you can stop off, either on the way, or the way back for refreshments.It's not very often I give an attraction 5 out of 5 stars, but, for value for money (it's free) this one ticks all the boxes. (free workout too whilst you're enjoying the views ;-)

We liked that it was no over commercial and the nice steps up to the dune were well maintained. WE went to watch the sun go down as it was too hot in the daytime. Many people sitting quietly watching the wonderful sunset, magical

Have visited Arcachon many times and enjoy climbing the Dune du Pilat. Obviously in peak season (August time) it is really busy. Difficult to find parking, although there is plenty of it, so it might be an option to walk in from further away. Failing that, leave it a little later and go then, whilst still relatively busy it is easier to find a space. There are a few car park payment stations, but after queuing to pay several of us found we could not use our card to pay - perhaps as we were all foreign. The one closest to the shops / stalls did accept our card though. No payment to go to the dune itself, but need to pay parking as mentioned.My 4yr old daughter loved running up and down the sand and didn't want to leave. I love France for it's more common sense approach to health and safety, so anywhere you wish to run up / down you can. It is not really fenced off or restricted so go for it - even if you wish to run into the tree stumps. Loads of fun for adults and children and great views. It will require some energy - a good walk from the parking area and then the climb up the dune. Everyone really friendly and exchanging knowing / sympathetic looks! People helped others and I saw some running to retrieve strangers hats or give them back belongings they had dropped on the way up. Really fun day out - but will require most of the day. A bit of a struggle to take large amounts of food / drink but there are some good restaurants nearby to eat at before visiting the dune and the stalls sell ice-cream!

Had a great couple of hours walking up Dune de Pilat and taking some great photos. The walk up is fairly easy, soft sand so proper walking shoes are a must. We went in December so it was brisk but you soon warm up. As we had a car we could park close by and simply walk up one of the paths. The views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the rich hues of the forest on the other are truly amazing. It was a memorable experience and one I would recommend.

Ok, now you start thinking that I'm a dune walker. After my first two experiences, in Kalinegrad and in Lençóis do Maranhão, for the third time I climb up a hill of sand. This time I conquered the Dune du Pilat, the tallest in Europe. Let me clarify: this is no fetish. It just happened, as I was driving through the area. This dune in France, near Arcachon, is in fact very beautiful, and even more so because I visited it very early in the morning, in a cold day in December. There are at least two advantages of doing it before 10 am: a) not many people walking around yet; and b) the morning sunlight hits the dune with an angle such that allows beautiful patterns of yellow and red to colour the whole scene. And talking about colours, this is perhaps one of the greatest attractions on the place: on one side, you'll be inundated by the green tonalities of the surrounding trees, while on the other side the various blue shades of the Atlantic Ocean waters fill the horizon as far as your eye can reach. I don't know if Van Gogh ever walked this dune; I guess he never went there. But if had been there, he'd for sure have been impressed by such views. So, being on top of the dune it's altogether good fun, but do not forget to pay attention to all the colours around you.Final comment: the dune is relatively easy to walk up, and you get warm very quickly. But the dune is even more fun to walk down, or should I propose: to roll down! If you roll down it, you'll definitely go back a few years in life!