Conquering the Dune du Pilat
Ideally located on the Landes coast between Arcachon and Biarritz, in south-west France, the Eurosol campsite is an ideal destination for visiting the Dune du Pilat. This emblematic natural monument on the Bay of Arcachon attracts almost two million visitors every year. Discover it!
Climb Europe’s highest dune
One of the must-sees on your camping vacation on the Côte d’Argent is the Dune du Pilat. Located at the entrance to the Bay of Arcachon and bordered by the Landes de Gascogne forest, the Dune du Pilat is the highest dune inEurope and the most visited natural site in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Awarded the Grand Site de France label in 1994, the star of the Arcachon Basin is also one of France’s most visited tourist attractions, with almost two million visitors from all over the world.
Height, length, width…he Dune du Pilat doesn’t stand still!
Situated 100 km as the crow flies from our campsite in the Landes, the Dune du Pilat is the highest dune inEurope. In front of you is a gigantic pile of sand, 60 million cubic meters in size, bearing witness to 4,000 years of history. The mountain of sand is some 3 km long, 600 m wide and 102 m high, according to the latest data from the Observatoire de la Côte Aquitaine. The height of the Dune du Pilat varies every year by several metres (between 100 and 115 m), under the combined action of wind and tide.
How to get to thetop of the dune?
The dune is accessible all year round. You need to park in the parking lot on the forest side. From April to November, a staircase (150 steps) provides easy access to the top of the dune. The rest of the year, the staircase is dismantled. So you have to climb the tall blond lady right onto the sand. Needless to say, the roll-your-own way down is a lot more fun than the way up. In both cases, the reward is well worth the effort: a unique panorama of the Atlantic Ocean and the Landes de Gascogne forest, the Arcachon basin, the tip of Cap-Ferret and the Banc d’Arguin.
What to do at Dune du Pilat?
In season, numerous events and activities punctuate your visit to the Dune du Pilat: fun and educational workshops, treasure hunts, spotting scopes, sunset strolls… In addition to excursions and guided hikes, an interpretation trail and exhibition allow you to discover the hidden face of the Dune du Pilat, its history and the flora and fauna that live there.
Looking for a thrill to spice up your camping vacation on the Aquitaine coast? Try your hand at paragliding! From the air, the Dune du Pilat is even more beautiful! And if you’re more comfortable with your feet in the sand, head for the Corniche beach, for a swim at the foot of the dune, on the north side. Supervised in summer, this pretty beach faces the Banc d’Arguin. As a little anecdote, this is where some scenes from the film “Camping” starring Franck Dubosc were shot!