Brave the ocean waves
LIEU NATUREL
The must-haves
Climb the Dune du Pilat
CLIMBING THE DUNE IS GOOD FUN, BUT TUMBLING DOWN IS EVEN BETTER!
Looking out from the Lège-Cap Ferret Peninsula, the Dune du Pilat is the dominant feature of the landscape.
Why not get a different perspective, and enjoy the view from right on top of the dune?
Breathe in the invigorating sea air and take in the 360° view. This is what holidays are all about!
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re standing at the foot of the tallest sand dune in Europe (3 kilometres long, 500 metres wide and 109 metres high). Don’t be discouraged by the challenge – just boot up and set off! Think of it as a once-a-year fitness trail! Take it one step at a time, up the stairs, or following in the footsteps of the person in front of you. Once you reach the top, the whole world seems to open up before you.
And don’t forget – after the hard climb up,
there’s the sheer joy of running, rolling and tumbling down again! The kids will love it!
To make the most of this exceptional site, plan to spend at least an afternoon here. The quickest way to get to the dune from Cap Ferret is by boat. You’ll arrive at the foot of the dune and so will climb up with your back to the ocean. The sensational view will hit you when you turn around once you reach the top.
Most people prefer to arrive from the land side and climb slowly up, step by step, before discovering the magical, unique panorama, surely one of the most beautiful in the world.
All you need to know to plan your day
Fact Sheet
- Height : 109 m
- Width : 500 m
- Length : 2 700 m
- Weight : 60 millions de m3 de grains de sable…
- Composition : Quartz grains of roughly 0.3 mm, making it one of the finest sands in the whole of France! The dune is gradually moving toward the forest, at a rate of between 1 to 5 metres a year.
- Label : ‘Grand site de France’
OPENING TIMES
- Open : all year roound
- The stairs are dismantled : at the beginning of November until the Easter holidays. If you visit during this time, you’ll have to walk up on the sand!
- Before you set off : check real-time availability of parking spaces, on the website.
The rates
- Car parking rates : from €1 to €4 for 4 hours, depending on the time of year
- Numerous guided tours are available : check the mout on ladunedupilat.com
