The most beautiful beaches near Bordeaux

Arcachon: 5 beaches and a charming town just a short train ride away

This beautiful seaside resort overlooks the bay that bears its name. Here, forget about big ocean waves. Arcachon offers peaceful swimming in calm waters at five different beaches. 

• Moulleau Beach, located 4 km from downtown, with its fishermen on the pier…
• Abatilles Beach, located a little further north, with its sandbars and shaded resting areas. 
• Arcachon Beach, facing the city center with its beach clubs and beach volleyball court, is the liveliest beach in Arcachon!
• Eyrac Beach, 600 meters long, is situated between the port and the pier of the same name.
• Pereire Beach, the longest in the city at 3 km, is lined by a pedestrian avenue that lets you switch between the beach and rollerblading or skateboarding. A skate park is located nearby…
   

Le Petit Nice: a beach accessible to all

Certified Handiplage and Tourisme et Handicap, it’s ideal for people with limited mobility as well as for those with strollers. A wooden access ramp makes it easy to reach the sand after parking your car in the free parking lot.

It is the first ocean beach after the Dune du Pilat and the Arcachon Basin. However, the waves here are calmer than on the open ocean. It’s an ideal beach for a family day out! You can enjoy the picnic areas or choose a nearby restaurant for lunch.
 

Biscarrosse: Surf Spots or Quiet Lakeside Beaches  

This town is one of the largest in the Landes region, nestled between the forest and the ocean. Here, surfers love to tackle the big ocean waves. But if you prefer calmer waters, then head to the beaches of Lake Biscarosse. The town has 5 beaches in total—the choice is yours! 

• The central beach: undoubtedly the most popular. You can reach it by bike since the Vélodyssée bike path runs alongside it.
• The south and north beaches: less crowded than the central beach, they’re still great spots to watch the ocean waves and the surfers!
• The Vivier Beach: here, you reach the sand after a short ten-minute walk through dunes and pine trees. Picnic areas let you enjoy a comfortable lunch.
• The beaches of Maguide and Navarosse, located on the lake’s edge. No surfers on the horizon here—instead, you’ll find pedal boats, windsurfers, and boats. Kids will love the nearby playgrounds and slides, as well as swimming in the clear, shallow water.
   

Contis: a family-friendly beach

The main beach of this seaside resort has everything to please. Before reaching it, you’ll pass by a few independent shops where you can buy toys for the kids, a surfboard, or trendy clothing. The beach itself is easily accessible. People with limited mobility can ask the lifeguards on duty for a beach chair to enjoy a swim.

Located at the foot of the dunes, this beach is an ideal destination for families! To top it all off, end your day at one of the restaurants located at the beach entrance.
 

Soulac: a Médoc beach steeped in history!

The beaches in this Médoc town have been awarded the “Blue Flag” certification, a symbol of exemplary environmental quality. So don’t hesitate to spread your towel on this fine sand, nestled next to a small town with stunning charm. After admiring the charming villas of Soulac, you can head to the oceanfront at one of the town’s beaches: the central beach, Amélie Beach, Olives Beach, or Naïades Beach. And for something unique and historical, come discover the Atlantic Wall. This is the network of numerous bunkers built by the German army on French beaches during World War II.

A day by the water without driving: it’s possible by taking the train from Bordeaux to Soulac. There are direct TER trains! You can even bring your bike on board.
 

Ocean beaches: the beauty of the Atlantic…and its dangers!

When you see ocean waves for the first time, you’re tempted to dive right in without a second thought. However, you shouldn’t underestimate the danger of these ocean forces. Especially rip currents, a natural phenomenon that causes many drowning accidents every year.
 

What is a baïne?

It’s a deep basin surrounded by sandbars. When the ocean is still far away, rip currents look like pleasant natural pools on the beach. And when they’re covered by the ocean, they lure us in with their lack of waves and apparent calm. However, rip currents have the power to easily and quickly pull us far from the shore because they create underwater currents. And once you try to get back to your towel, it’s impossible to turn around. 

What should you do if you get caught in a rip current?

First and foremost, it is essential to swim at supervised beaches. But if, unfortunately, you find yourself in the middle of a rip current, do not try to return to the shore by turning around. You will then be facing the rip current head-on, which is impossible to fight. Instead, swim parallel to the beach until you exit the current. Then let the waves carry you back to shore.