Top 20 most beautiful beaches in Aquitaine2026 ranking

This is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes I have seen in France. The dune is so vast that, if it were not for the sea, I could have almost believed I was in the middle of a desert. I went there in the summer and made the climb using the stairs. After about twenty minutes, I discovered an absolutely magical panorama. Nothing but sand, the sea, and the forest on the horizon. Years later, I still have the images in my head. I was expecting it to be run down, but I appreciated how well preserved the site is despite the tourism. In the middle of July, it was crowded. However, the dune remains vast enough to find a spot to settle down in peace. You have to see it once in your life!

Close to the city center, it is an easy beach to access with all the amenities (restaurants, shops, playground for kids). I spent a few hours there. For a quick swim or to spend some time with the family, it does the job, but it stays very crowded and the setting is not especially beautiful. I would recommend you head to the plage du Moulleau instead, which is more natural and offers a nice view of the dune du Pilat.

I have wanted to see the Dune du Pilat for years, and I was not disappointed. It is truly very impressive. The surrounding landscape is also very well preserved. In the summer, there are quite a lot of people. I went early in the morning to avoid the crowds, and it was great. At sunset, the scenery must be magnificent too.

An immense sand dune that is impressive to look at, especially from the heights, where you can see it wind off into the distance, overlooking the forest on one side and the ocean on the other. I was afraid of finding a forest devastated by the recent fires, but the green has recovered pretty quickly. It is a bit crowded, but since there is so much space, you can totally walk around and then settle in a spot without feeling packed in. Between the beach, the forest, and playing on the sandy slopes, both kids and adults will have no trouble having a blast!

While visiting the Bordeaux region, the Dune du Pilat is a must-see. An unexpected discovery. It is a marvel that you have to earn from start to finish. A good climb, and you will have the pride and joy of enjoying a magnificent view over the Arcachon basin. The most courageous ones will go wander on the beach. Little tip: it is possible to rent bikes from Arcachon and discover some magnificent bike paths. It is the best way to discover it. A quick shout-out to the paragliding enthusiasts who can take flight above the basin.

Arcachon Beach reminds me of Deauville or La Baule. Its only merit is its large stretch of sand. But the whole beach is lined with concrete, and it is a spot overrun by people from Paris, Nantes, and Bordeaux looking to cool off and tan when the temperature rises. And in the case of Arcachon, there are so many boats passing by or anchored nearby that, in my opinion, the water is not very clean. Even though we are pretty far south in France, the water stays relatively cold (it rarely exceeds 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit).

In Biarritz, the beach is right in the city center. No need to plan on using your car to get there! It faces the casino and the Hôtel du Palais, which was the vacation residence of Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III. It is a beach where you will run into surfers from all over the world as well as vacationers from France and elsewhere. But it is hard to run into a local there!

The Côte des Basques beach is legendary. First off, it is the most beautiful one in Biarritz and the whole region. Just be sure to check the tide charts before you head over, because at high tide, the beach disappears... Then there is the history of the surfing pioneers, as this is where French surfing really took off in the 60s. And over 100 years ago, the first planes used this beach as a landing strip. Back then, no matter the tide, the beach was always very wide. Every year, the ocean gains about two meters on the coastline...