May 2017

The Dune of Pilat (also known as Pylat, Pila and Pyla, but we stick to the official name, shall we?) is definitely one of the least expected natural miracles that one can encounter in France, and even for those who know well the South-West of the country, the Dune of Pilat still is spectacular thing to see. For the French from the south, it’s a mandatory visit point during the scholar holidays, and is often associated with those lovely childhood days.

Bordeaux region is rich for beautiful spots, but I think it’s the Dune of Pilat that impressed me the most.

Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France

What is Dune of Pilat?

So here is a simple recipe: take an Arcachon bay, the ocean currents with the direction from North to South, then a force of the tide, bringing back and forth the sand, which gets to the water from the mountain erosion, and a lot of time. The sand, which moves with the ocean currents, is “intercepted” by the forces of the tide, and is deposited on the shore in the Arcachon bay, forming this way the biggest dune of Europe. Despite the fact that the dune started its formation only in the middle of the XIX century, it took around four thousand years for the whole natural process that resulted in this natural miracle.

[:en]Dune of Pilat, Arcachon, France[:fr]Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France[:]
Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France
[:en]Dune of Pilat, Arcachon, France[:fr]Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France[:]

Even if the Dune of Pilat measures 2,9 km, 616 m wide and almost 11 m high, it haven’t stopped growing yet. Today, this site is a home for the various birds, and one of the most famous attractions of the Nouvelle Aquitaine.

And I swear you, it is amazing.

Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France

Check out: 15 Miracles in South-West of France

This hot sand under your feet, its gorgeous pale color changing the shade under the sun, the moments of freshness with the flows of the wind.

People, laughing, having fun, running down to the beach, or simply sitting enjoying the stunning view no matter which side you are facing, you will see either the Atlantic Ocean or the maritime-pines crowns of the Landes forest. Just as an option, why not overfly this improvised French desert with other paragliders.

All this for me was completely surreal. In some way, it made me think of me as a child playing in the sand, it’s just that my playground was much, much bigger than it seemed.

Once again, it’s amazing.

Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France
Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France
Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France
[:en]Dune of Pilat, Arcachon, France[:fr]Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France[:]

Mind though, that this trip can be quite exhausting, especially if you go there during the warm season, so be kind and treat yourself to a rewarding beach pause in Arcachon.

[:en]Beach in Arcachon bay[:fr]Plage dans le bassin d'Arcachon[:]
[:en]Beach in Arcachon bay[:fr]Plage dans le bassin d'Arcachon[:]

Getting to the Dune of Pilat

By car, by bus, by bike – everything is possible. There are bus connections from Arcachon, large parking spaces for you vehicle (prepare to pay!), but it also a point on a cycling route of Vélodyssée – one of 53 cycling routs along the Atlantic coast.

No matter the time, the Dune of Pilat will be equally gorgeous during the early morning hours, under the hot midday sun and, naturally, during the sunset…

Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France
[:en]Dune of Pilat, Arcachon, France[:fr]Dune du Pilat, Arcachon, France[:]

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Visiting the Dune of Pilat
Visiting the Dune of Pilat

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