{"id":303129,"date":"2025-07-30T05:43:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T05:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/303129\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T05:43:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T05:43:21","slug":"hidden-gem-coastal-town-has-everything-from-sandy-beaches-to-incredible-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/303129\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden gem coastal town has everything from sandy beaches to incredible food"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This incredible European coastal town south of Bordeaux in France is home to immaculate beaches, Europe&#8217;s highest sand dune and a beloved annual oyster festival<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_roofs-of-seaside-town-Arcachon-France.jpg\" alt=\"roofs of seaside town Arcachon, France\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>One travel blogger described this as the &#8220;French coastal town you haven&#8217;t heard of but have to add to your bucket list&#8221;(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Jetting off on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/holidays\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">holiday <\/a>offers a blissful escape from the daily grind, and nothing beats the thrill of discovering new places. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/travel\/news\/tourists-vow-never-again-after-35610270\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Tourist hotspots<\/a> often dominate travel wish lists, but sometimes it&#8217;s the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/travel\/little-known-uk-seaside-town-35242087\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">lesser-known<\/a> treasures that truly captivate. This incredible European coastal town is said to be totally worth a visit &#8211; and not many people know about it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Tucked away just south of <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/travel\/best-city-europe-food-drink-33724746\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Bordeaux <\/a>on the French coast lies an enchanting seaside haven. Arcachon Bay, nestled in Pays de Buch between the Co\u0302te d&#8217;Argent and the Co\u0302te des Landes in Aquitaine, is a stunning<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/travel\/tiny-uk-seaside-town-crowned-35489627\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> coastal town<\/a> boasting jaw-dropping scenery, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/travel\/stunning-beach-near-nice-villefranche-35632686\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">pristine beaches<\/a> and a touch of coastal elegance.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_Sunset-over-the-Arcachon-Basin-French-Aquitaine.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset over the Arcachon Basin (French Aquitaine)\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>A beautiful sunset over the Arcachon Basin(Image: Getty)READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/travel\/underrated-seaside-town-just-like-35059768\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Underrated seaside town just like Venice completely ignored by tourists<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">The Bay is a true gem of France&#8217;s natural and cultural heritage, home to by oyster ports and a famous dune. The 10 towns and villages that make it up &#8211; Arcachon, La Teste-de-Buch, Gujan-Mestras, Le Teich, Biganos, Audenge, Lanton, Andernos-les-Bains, Ar\u00e8s and L\u00e8ge-Cap Ferret &#8211; offer a wealth of diverse experiences.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Arcachon Bay in particular is shaped by <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/fishing\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">fishing<\/a> and oyster farming. Some of the finest oysters can be enjoyed in this region, which also hosts its very own Oyster Festival each summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">The town is brimming with activities, whether you fancy jet skiing, kayaking, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/cycling\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">cycling<\/a>, or zipping around on an electric scooter. Shoppers will be charmed by quaint independent boutiques, while foodies can indulge in the delightful local cuisine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Visitors are also drawn to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/travel\/southern-france-the-promised-landes-390417\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Dune du Pilat<\/a>, Europe&#8217;s highest sand dune, for an unforgettable experience, reports <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/travel\/articles\/2087821\/hidden-gem-france-sea-holidays\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">the Express<\/a>. London-based travel blogger Anna recently explored this gem and was utterly enchanted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">In her <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/tiktok\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok <\/a>video, Anna showcases the allure of Arcachon, describing it as: &#8220;A French coastal town you probably haven&#8217;t heard of&#8230;but you absolutely have to add to your bucket list&#8230;Arcachon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">She further expressed her love for the town, saying: &#8220;This is such a charming town.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_Grounded-boats-in-upper-Arachon-Bay-at-low-tide.jpg\" alt=\"France, Arcachon, Grounded boats in upper Arachon Bay at low tide.\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Arcachon is approximately an hour&#8217;s drive from Bordeaux Airport(Image: John Elk III via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">One commenter wrote: &#8220;Going in May, we stayed there last year and loved it! PS you can&#8217;t take <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/new-uk-beach-rules-dog-35150146\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">dogs on the beach<\/a>.&#8221; &#8220;I was there a few years ago and it is so pretty,&#8221; added another commenter. &#8220;Adding to my list to visit,&#8221; declared another user.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Another TikToker user seconded Anna&#8217;s assessment: &#8220;I was there in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/travel\/news\/foreign-offices-summer-2025-rules-35616805\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">summer<\/a>, insanely beautiful&#8221;. One other visitor also highly recommended a stop at the Dune du Pilat, describing it as &#8220;something special&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>How to reach Arcachon<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">According to Trainline, you can get a<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/travel\/news\/uk-city-200-miles-london-35251413\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> high-speed train<\/a> from London to Arcachon in as little as 6 hours and 6 minutes on the fastest services from <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/eurostar\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Eurostar<\/a>, Ouigo and TGV.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \">Alternatively, you can catch a flight to Bordeaux Airport. From there, it&#8217;s roughly an hour&#8217;s drive to Arcachon. You also have the option to catch a train from the airport which takes approximately an hour and a half.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This incredible European coastal town south of Bordeaux in France is home to immaculate beaches, Europe&#8217;s highest sand&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":303130,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5174],"tags":[45407,2000,299,5187,2406,111706],"class_list":{"0":"post-303129","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-eu","8":"tag-beach-holidays","9":"tag-eu","10":"tag-europe","11":"tag-european","12":"tag-holidays","13":"tag-oyster-festival"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114940595725428159","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/303129","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=303129"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/303129\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/303130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=303129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=303129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=303129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}