The Cap Ferret: France’s Quieter Coast

We’re all familiar with the glamorous French Riviera—just the phrase conjures images of multi-million-dollar yachts, sprawling seafront villas, and crowds of celebrities bedecked in designer gowns. But don’t expect to find any of that on the Cap Ferret. Here, you are more likely to fishing boats, quaint cottages and groups of local children riding their bicycles along rocky, dirt roads to the beach.

Simply beautiful and completely lacking of pretense, the Cap Ferret is a favored haunt of Paris and Bordeaux residents. However, it has until recently remained undiscovered by other travelers. This is because up until about a dozen years ago, the Cap Ferret did not have any hotels. Unless you owned a summer home along the lovely coast, you were not able to visit with any degree of convenience. Slowly, the Cap Ferret is building a hospitality industry. Like the rest of its charms, this remains quiet and laidback—ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of crowded cities in France and beyond.

Perched at the tip of a picturesque presqu’île (which literally translates to “almost an island”), the Cap Ferret is best reached by boat. You may also take a tour by boat around the entire Bassin d’Arcachon, which typically takes about two and a half hours. Landlubbers may fly into Bordeaux, and drive directly into Arcachon via the N250.

Once at the Cap Ferret, you will find a number of delightful things to see and do. First and foremost, you will want to head to the gigantic, red-tipped lighthouse that dominates the Pointe du Cap—the tip of the coast. Le Phare du Cap Ferret is undoubtedly its most famous landmark. Climb the lighthouse’s 258 steps, and be rewarded with spectacular views. Avid hikers should also consider tackling the Dune du Pilat, a 3km stretch of sand that forms the largest dune in all of Europe. Many other trails meander along the coast and farther inland; they are great for leisurely walks and cycling tours.

As a place where much of the land is protected by conservation societies, this presqu’île is proud of its natural beauty. The most popular activities therefore take place outdoors. Golf, tennis, and mini-golf courses are plentiful in the area, and there are even more unusual facilities like death-defying ropes courses.

The maritime charm of the Cap Ferret is also alive and well. Water sports like surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, waterskiing, boating and others are what bring many of the Cap Ferret’s tourists. Throughout the spring and summer, the weather tends to stay warm and welcoming. The coastal oasis takes advantage of this fact by hosting outdoor celebrations like the Festival du Cap Ferret (a famous music festival) and other events that honor the area’s maritime history and one of its greatest exports—oysters!

To find excellent hotels near the Cap Ferret, you know where to go—Eurobookings.com.