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 of the Arcachon Basin attracts nearly two million visitors every year. Discover it!
Climb Europe’s highest dune
One of the highlights of your camping vacation on the Côte d’Argent is the Dune du Pilat. Located at the entrance to the Arcachon Basin 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, a gigantic 60-million-cubic-meter pile of sand, witness to 4,000 years of history. The sand mountain is around 3 km long, 600 m wide and 102 m high, according to the latest data from the Observatoire de la Côte Aquitaine. Every year, the height of the Dune du Pilat varies by several meters (between 100 and 115 m), due to the combined action of wind and tide.
How to get to thetop of the dune?
The dune is accessible all year round. Park on the forest side of the parking lot. From April to November, a staircase (150 steps) provides easy access to the top of the dune. For the rest of the year, the staircase is dismantled. The big blonde lady has to be climbed on the sand. Needless to say, rolling downhill is a lot more fun than climbing uphill. In both cases, the reward is equal to 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 something to spice up your camping vacation on the Aquitaine coast? Try your hand at paragliding! Seen from the sky, 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!