Visiting Dune Du Pilat, the Highest Sand Dune in Europe

With soft golden sands and impossibly stunning views, Dune du Pilat is a natural phenomenon well worth visiting. Here is all you need to know to explore the highest sand dune in Europe.

Nestled on the edge of Arcachon Bay and a 1-hour drive south from Bordeaux, Dune du Pilat is the largest sand dune in Europe. Half a kilometre wide, almost 3 kilometres long and rising to just over 100 metres, it is wedged between the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean and a glittering green pine forest.

The whole area of Dune du Pilat is a stunning place to explore.

From the summit, views stretch in all directions: up to Arcachon Bay, across to the isthmus of Cap Ferret, over glistening sandbanks, and all along the coast. Summit walks along the spine of the dune take you high above the pine forest on one side and the ocean on the other, before dipping down to glorious beaches just perfect for a post-walk dip.

Dune du Pilat is at its best at dawn and dusk when the temperature cools, the sun gives the dunes a glistening golden glow, and the shadows cast patterns on the sand. There are few better ways to end the day than a picnic at the top as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean.

Find the best sunrise and sunset positions, stock up on a delicious picnic and enjoy this stunning area with our guide to visiting Dune du Pilat. For more information on this beautiful corner of France, see our guide to Arcachon Bay.  

Map: Dune du Pilat

All the great locations at Dune du Pilat that we mentioned in this guide have been included on the map below.

What to Do at Dune du Pilat

1. Catch Sunrise at Dune du Pilat

It’s a magical scene at any time, but dawn is particularly great for photography. With the ocean to the east, the sun rises over the pine forest with its shadow slowly descending the dune as the morning progresses.

With the dunes swept free of footprints by the overnight winds, you’ll be able to photograph the dunes in pristine condition with lovely early morning light.

2. And Sunrise

At dusk, the dune flickers in the evening light as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean.

In good conditions, a burnt orange glow brings the dunes and sky together.

Much busier in the evenings, sunset is a great time to photograph people forming silhouettes against the magnificent backdrop.

Bring a picnic with you, find a spot in the sand, and join the other onlookers taking it all in.

Later in this guide, we have suggestions for assembling a delicious picnic from artisanal suppliers in Arcachon.

3. Hiking on Dune du Pilat

The dune is 2.7 kilometres long, and the crest that runs along the summit makes a great hiking trail with regularly changing vistas.

Although the ridge rises and falls only gently, do not underestimate the challenge. Walking on sand is never easy, so if you intend to hike for a while, it’s best to do it in cooler conditions.

It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to walk all the way along the dune.

You can either return along the ridge (the way you came) or descend the dune to the shore and walk back along the sea.

From April to September, buses run along the road to the east of the dune, so you could walk one way and get the bus back to the car park.

But you don’t have to walk all the way, just do however much you fancy and return the way you came.

Our map below highlights the walking routes and bus stops. The tourist office at the Dune du Pilat car park also provides walking maps.

3. Swimming at Dune du Pilat

On a hot day, the shimmering turquoise water of the Atlantic Ocean looks far too inviting to pass up. So, bring your swimming gear and enjoy a refreshing dip at the base of the dune.

At the northern end of the Dune du Pilat, Plage de la Corniche is the best place for safe swimming (see the location on our map below).

It’s supervised from 11 am to 7 pm (July to August), and it’s easy to get to by descending the dune or taking the stairs.

If you want to go a bit further, there are 15 kilometres of beautiful beaches heading south from the dune.

Plage du Petit Nice has facilities and access is easy; Plage de la Lagune is the nudist beach; Plage de la Salie-Nord is excellent for surfing, and Plage de la Salie-Sud allows dogs.

There’s a large sandbank just offshore from Dune du Pilat called Banc D’Arguin. It looks like an appealing place to swim out to; however, the currents here can be particularly strong, so please don’t.

From mid-June to the end of September, you can get across to the sandbank using a boat shuttle that leaves from the southern end of the dune opposite Pyla Camping.

4. Have a Tasty Picnic at Dune du Pilat

Views this good deserve a good picnic. Fortunately, there are plenty of options in Arcachon to stock up on delicious French delicacies.

Merryl Fromagerie & Charcuterie has a wide selection of cheeses, many from Béarn, the Pyrenees region known for excellent, high-pasture cheeses. Make a selection, then pair it with jellies, jams, cured meats or more cheese.

La Caves des Darons has a great selection of wines, and just about any store in town will provide you with delicious, fresh French bread.

On a good day, you won’t exactly have the top of Dune du Pilat to yourself, so get there early to snare a good position.

5. See the Dunes from Above

A great way to see the dune is from above, where the full scale of this natural amphitheatre becomes obvious.

Pyla Parapente offers tandem paragliding jumps from the southern end of the dune, enabling you to gently drift on the thermals between the sand and the sky. Choose between a gentle flight or something a little more challenging that attempts a few manoeuvres.

The other option is to take a scenic flight or helicopter ride over the dunes.

Aéroclub du Bassin d’Arcachon can organise tailored flights in a small plane for 30 minutes over the dunes, Arcachon Bay and Cap Ferret.

Helipass organise helicopter tours of the dunes, they’re not cheap, but it will be a memorable 30 minutes.

Planning & Logistics

Best Time to Visit Dune du Pilat

The dune is beautiful, but it can also be inhospitable. There is no shade, and on hot summer days, the temperatures can be stifling.

Come on cooler days, or in the early morning and late afternoon, when the sun is low in the sky. In particular, the light at dawn and dusk on a clear (or even misty) day can be magical and is great for photography.

We’d also suggest you try to avoid windy days. The dune is exposed and close to the sea, so the wind can be ferocious, whipping the sand into your eyes – and even worse, your camera lens!

The stairs are in place from April to November, which is a good time to visit for a much easier way up to the summit.  

Getting There

The top of the Dune de Pilat is a 15-minute walk from the Dune du Pilat car park or bus stop. The path passes through the edge of the forest and then climbs a set of temporary steps.

The shifting sands mean they need to be erected fresh every year and are usually in place from April to mid-November. Otherwise, you must ascend the steep slope of sand to reach the summit. It’s a short slog but is over in just a few minutes.

By Car

The Dune du Pilat car park is a 15-minute drive from Arcachon or a 1-hour drive from Bordeaux. Parking costs €7 for 4 hours, €9 for 8 hours and €11 for 12 hours. Cash and card accepted.

No parking is allowed between 2 am and 5 am. It can get very busy in peak months.

It is free to explore La Dune du Pilat, with parking fees going towards preserving the dune and the surrounding forest.

By Bus

The Ligne 1 bus shuttles back and forth between Arcachon station (going via Le Moulleau & Pyla-sur-Mer) and Dune du Pilat car park. It runs all year round, taking 30 minutes each way.

In the winter months of October to March, it makes about 10 journeys a day, but from April to September, it increases to 20 journeys a day, and the line is also extended to make stops along the eastern edge of the dune before heading farther south to Plage de la Salie-Nord.

In the peak holiday months of July and August, more bus routes are added; Ligne 2 runs from La Teste-de-Buch, Ligne 6 from Le Teich, and the Dune Express adds a faster route from Arcachon.

Sadly, travelling by bus makes it almost impossible to be on the dune for dawn or dusk.

By Bike

There are lots of bike hire shops in Arcachon, and it’s only a 30-minute cycle to the dune. It’s a fun way to arrive.

Where to Stay Near Dune du Pilat

There are several great hotel options around Dune du Pilat. Arcachon makes a great base if you are relying on public transport. Here are a few suggestions from us.

Please keep in mind that Arcachon can be busy in France during the peak summer months, so if you plan to stay in July or August, book well in advance.

• T Boutique Hotel – A good-value hotel with freshly renovated rooms. The location is perfect for exploring without a car as the centre of town, the train station, and the beach are all just a short walk away.
• Hôtel Ville D’hiver – Located in the centre of Arcachon yet somehow creating a secluded haven of luxury, Hôtel Ville d’Hiver is modern and totally unexpected.
• Hôtel La Co(o)rniche – Chic hotel designed by Philippe Starck and backed by forest is a 5-star extravagance in white minimalism
• La Guitoune – This cool hotel is bedecked in seventies memorabilia with vintage film posters and raunchy artwork

Tips for Visiting Dune du Pilat

1. There are no facilities on the top of the dunes, so if you take a picnic up, make sure you’re equipped to bring all your rubbish back down with you.
2. The sand is amazingly soft, so flip flops or shoes you can quickly kick off and walk around in bare feet is the best way to go.
3. Toilets are available in the car park.
4. There is a small information office with maps.
5. Dogs are allowed on the dunes but must be on a leash at all times.