The Aquitaine region, south west of France, has a lot to offer to the traveller, before or after a wine tour.
One of the marvels is the Great Dune of PYLA, or PILAT (both spellings are corrects, oddly enough), the tallest sand dune in Europe. Located at the south entrance of the Arcachon inlet, 60 kilometers southwest of Bordeaux, the dune stretches its 60 million cubical meters of fine sand on nearly 2.7 kilometers from south to north, and 500 meters from west to east. Due to its mobility, its height varies constantly, ranging from 100 to 117 meters, and it moves inland on a permanent basis.
Maritime winds explain both that mobility and the shape of the dune: it offers soft slopes on the ocean side and an abrupt face on its east side, the forest side. For the most athletic visitors, climbing up this slope is a real challenge. For the others, a staircase makes the ascent a little easier.
Reward awaits you at the top: the view is spectacular, embracing the coast, the vast pine forest of Les Landes and, when the whether is clear, the Pyrennees range. Sunset makes the visit unforgettable. Bring a bottle of Bordeaux and watch the sun disappear in the ocean…
And then go to Arcachon, where a vast choice of oysters awaits you. It is one the main oyster-farming regions in France; so try the “Route des Huitres”, the route of oysters, where you will learn everything there is to know about them.
Tired of the Ocean? Visit the lakes at Biscarosse, south of the inlet. It is a little paradise, formed some 4000 years ago, with white-sand beaches and warm waters (up to 28°C in the summer), great for aquatic activities or fishing. How about ending the day with a first flight in a ULM hydroplane?
All these activities, and many more, make the region very popular nowadays. But imagine how attractive this wonderful climate was to the rich and famous at the end of 19th century. It was a time when leaving the wet and humid regions of northern Europe in the winter was a must. And Arcachon was (and still is) a great alternative to French Riviera.