Exploring the vineyards and coast of La Nouvelle-Aquitaine is easy with France’s national railway system, SNCF. Our 9€ rail pass to Arcachon was as simple to purchase as a new MetroCard.
Bathing suits on, a backpack with beach towels and SPF in tow, we were swimming in Arcachon Bay within an hour.
It’s the less famous and fancy seaside town to its neighbor across the bay, Lège-Cap-Ferret (Long Islanders: think North versus South Fork), but the beaches are pleasant, the water fresh and wonderfully saline, and the oysters in its bustling shopping district, tasty.
A 38-minute train ride makes it a very easy day tripA 38-minute train ride makes it a very easy day trip for a reprieve from this summer’s severe heat waves.
A 20-minute car ride south of Arcachon is France’s famed Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe. Alas, we’ll have to return here by car.
